New Orleans, So Spanish

Catalog description

This course explores the legacy of Spanish influence in New Orleans from the colonial period (1763–1803) to the 21st century. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students examine how Spanish governance, law, architecture, migration, and cultural practices shaped the city’s development and identity. Topics include Spanish contributions to urban planning after the fires of the late 18th century, the impact of Isleño communities, the evolution of Spanish-influenced gastronomy, and the formation of trans-Atlantic economic networks that connected New Orleans to the Caribbean and broader Spanish world. Students analyze historical narratives, cultural expressions, and contemporary representations of Spanish heritage in museums, festivals, and public memory. The course emphasizes critical thinking, comparative analysis, and the integration of historical, anthropological, and cultural perspectives to understand the complex presence of Spanish traditions in modern New Orleans.