Music, Culture and Social Justice in Latin America (CLAC.50)
CGST 236
Spring 2025
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01
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This course examines influential Latin American musicians and the relationship between their artistic production and the battles for human rights, democracy, and social justice in the hemisphere. The seminar will focus on the periods of dictatorial rule and transition to democracy in the Americas (mostly, from the 1960s through the late 1980s). We will study the main musical trends and leading artists in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries in those decades, assessing the role of their music in battles for free expression, democracy, and social justice in human rights. Among the artists whose work we will consider are Victor Jara (Chile), Mercedes Sosa (Argentina), Los Guraguao (Venezuela), Catano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Chico Buarque (Brazil). Students will be encouraged to analyze music through lyrics and song form, while understanding the historical, political, and social climates in which these artistic productions developed. Students will understand how music and culture can be powerful tools of resistance, assessing their impact in educating, inspiring, and creating social awareness and commitment in Latin American societies. This course will be taught in English, Portuguese, and Spanish (introductory or intermediate level is sufficient). |
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| Credit: .5 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS CGST |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Credit/Unsatisfactory |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Major Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Major readings Shaw, Lauren. Song and Social Change in Latin America, Lexington Books, 2013. Gonzáles Rodriguez, Juan Pablo. Thinking about Music from Latin America: Issues and Questions, Lexington Books, 2018.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Attendance: Consistent and prompt attendance is important in this course and counts for a significant percentage of your semester grade. Accumulating more than three absences will lower your semester grade. Late arrivals accumulate toward full absences.
Participation: Classes are discussion driven, with both full-class and small-group discussions and activities. All students are expected to come to class prepared and to take an active and informed role in all classroom work.
Required Assignments:
Written reflection assignments: short (maximum 500-word) text, briefly summarize your understanding of one main argument in the week¿s readings as well as your response to this argument. Choose four of the six readings marked on the syllabus; submit your paper 24 hours before class. These cannot be submitted late because responses are discussion aids. Reflection assignments will be evaluated based on clarity of writing and depth of engagement. No submission or late submission defaults to 0 points.
Oral presentation and discussion lead:
Students will prepare and lead discussions on selected readings for 30-40 min. You will choose your presentation topic/readings based on a list of optional readings provided for the week and day of your presentation. In the presentation, students will identify and describe the main points in the assigned text; engage the class with discussion questions and examples; draw connections with other course materials and with current events; present personal or group conclusions.
Final Essay:
Your final research essay should have a maximum of 2,000 words, typewritten, double-spaced, 12-point font in Times New Roman. You will choose your topic as the semester unfolds. Please submit your essay outline at least three weeks before the end of the course. I will comment and reply within 24 hrs., so you have plenty of time to develop your topic.
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Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Marques,Nadejda Times: ...W... 10:50AM-12:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 10 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 10 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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