Cuban & Afro-Caribbean Cultures: Gender, Power, and Race

Catalog description

With a focus on the intersection of gender, power, and race as essential dimensions of cultural and societal experience, this interdisciplinary course explores the cultural, historical, and social aspects of Cuba and other Afro-Caribbean societies. The course begins with the historical roots of Cuban and Afro-Caribbean cultures, exploring the impact of colonialism, slavery, racial discrimination, and independence on the region and how cultural traditions have been used to resist and challenge these forces. Topics include the impact of revolutionary movements, the role of the state in shaping artistic expression, the influence of political ideologies on the cultural landscape of these spaces, and how broader historical and political events have influenced these cultural experiences. Students will engage with various sources, including historical documents, social science studies, literature, music, film, and visual art. Designed for students interested in interdisciplinary approaches to studying culture, history, and society, as well as students interested in Latin America and the Caribbean, gender and women’s studies, African diaspora studies, and cultural anthropology, the course will challenge students to think critically about how gender, power, and race intersect in shaping cultural experiences and to develop their analytical and interpretive skills.