Arts of the Environment in the Americas

Catalog description

Latin America is one of the regions where the worldwide environmental crisis has manifested itself most forcefully over the past decades–with high levels of environmental toxicity, endangered species, and habitat loss. This course will introduce students to how artists, filmmakers, and writers are representing and raising awareness about key environmental issues in the region. The course is structured around five case studies: the desert, agriculture, oil extraction, water pollution, and waste management. Our focus on the environment will serve as a base for larger discussions about the representation of queer, Latinx, and indigenous communities, the aftermath of political violence in post-conflict societies, and the current immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.