Resilience and Strength: An Introduction to Puerto Rico

Catalog description

There is a saying in Latin America - "Puerto Rico: tan lejos de Dios y tan cerca de los EE.UU." (Puerto Rico: So far from God and so close to the United States). This course will look at "la Isla del Encanto" - the Enchanted Island - and the challenges it has faced throughout its history as well as the strength and resilience of the people in facing those challenges. It will examine Puerto Rico from multiple perspectives: historical; its relationship to the US; and, through the eyes of the local Diaspora. This course is a community-based learning course. Throughout the semester we will visit with local organizations that are run by or work with Puerto Ricans in the diaspora in Philadelphia. We may even visit with an organization or two in New York City. Students will be expected to work with a local organization to carry out a project designed by the organization. This course is offered in a rotating fashion with other Social Work electives.