The History of Greater Latinx Los Angeles

Catalog description

This seminar explores the history of Greater Los Angeles as it relates to ethnic Latino/a/x/e populations. Comprising a population of over 18.5 million people, “Greater Los Angeles” describes the five counties in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura) that make up the second-largest metropolitan area in the United States and the third-largest metropolitan area in the world by nominal GDP, following only Tokyo and New York City. By reading and critically discussing classic and contemporary works in the field, along with an examination of documentary films and primary sources, students will explore the critical social, cultural, political, and economic roles that Latinos have had in shaping Greater Los Angeles. Major themes in the course are immigration, gentrification, race, ethnicity, urban inequality, place-making, community formation, and economic development.