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| Unit name |
Race, Class and Sexuality |
| Unit code |
HISP30080 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Leu |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
The unit offers an anthropological approach to understanding culture and society in Latin America. It focuses on the themes of race, class and sexuality and explores the ways in which these shape social relations and cultural identities. The themes are studied through ethnographies from Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua and elsewhere, which build a clear picture of different cultural practices and the reality of everyday life in the region. In particular, the experiences of the poorest sectors of society, and of the racially and sexually marginalised, are closely considered in order to understand how social inequalities are both maintained and challenged by Latin Americans in their daily lives.
Aims:
- To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to final year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
- To facilitate students engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
- To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level I.
- To equip students with the skills to undertake postgraduate study in a relevant field.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful students will:
- be knowledgable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
- will have advanced skills in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
- be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at an advanced level;
- be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an advanced level of complexity;
- be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including postgraduate study.
Teaching Information
1 x 2hr slot weekly.
Assessment Information
The unit will be assessed by an essay 2500-3000 words(one third of mark)
and a 2 hour exam(2 thirds of mark).
Reading and References
- D. Kulick (1998), Travest�: Sex, Gender and Culture Among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes. (University of Chicago Press)
- R.N. Lancaster (1992). Life is Hard: Machismo, Danger and the Intimacy of Power in Nicaragua. Berkeley/Los Angeles, University of California Press.
- B.S. Orlove (1998). "Down to Earth: Race and Substance in the Andes." Bulletin of Latin American Research 17(2): 207-222.
- N. Scheper-Hughes (1992), Death Without Weeping: The Violence of Everyday Life in Brazil. (University of California Press)
- J. Streicker (1995). "Policing Boundaries: Race, Class and Gender in Cartagena, Colombia." American Ethnologist 22(1): 54-74.
