Fall 2021

Language, Identity, and Race

Listed in: Spanish, as SPAN-312

Faculty

Fiona Dixon (Section 01)

Description

Language is an integral part of identity performance and perception. Paying special attention to the topic of race, this course examines the power of language and language ideologies as exclusionary and inclusionary social tools, permitting or denying group membership. Via the analysis of literary and historical texts, linguistic and anthropological research, and digital media, students learn about the role of language variation in various Hispanic socio-political contexts. Through in-class discussions, small projects, and writing assignments, we contemplate the role of language in amplifying or contesting social inequality among Latinos in the U.S., Blacks and gays in the Caribbean, Latin American migrants in Spain, indigenous communities in México, etc. In doing so, students learn about linguistic variation in Spanish, hone their critical thinking skills, and learn to apply sociolinguistic and anthropological methodology to socio-cultural analysis. As the course is conducted in Spanish, an additional aim of the course is to sharpen second language speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

* No prior knowledge of anthropology or (socio)linguistics is expected.

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or permission of instructor. Limited to 18 Students. Fall Semester: Lecturer Dixon.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Cultural understanding and sensitivity, Instruction in Spanish, problem sets, oral and written projects in Spanish, in-class exams, group work, development of research questions in Spanish, application of course terminology to real world contexts, emphasis on critical thinking, writing, reading, speaking, and listening in Spanish Students with documented disabilities who will require accommodations in this course should be in consultation with Accessibility Services and reach out to the faculty member as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations can be made in a timely manner.
SPAN 312 - LEC

Section 01
M 01:30 PM - 02:50 PM WEBS 102
W 01:30 PM - 02:50 PM WEBS 102

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2021