This course examines key moments and themes in Puerto Rican history and culture, from pre-European invasion to post-hurricane María reconstruction. We will explore the driving forces and enduring questions shaping the development and current social and political institutions of the "world's oldest colony." Main topics include questions of race and ethnicity; gender and sexuality; environmental sustainability and economic development; colonialism and US relations; and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Through readings in history and literature, as well as comics, film, music, and visual arts from the Puerto Rican island and diaspora, we will study how narratives of resistance emerge across these themes.

The first half of the course will focus on the pre-conquest, Spanish colonial, and early US colonial periods, while the second half will probe into post-1952 (Estado Libre Asociado, or Commonwealth) period, with a special emphasis on contemporary, post-María economic, political, and artistic issues. The course will include an educational spring break trip to the island, where we will meet with artists and community leaders, and visit cultural sites, such as museums and local organizations working on sustainability issues. Fieldwork and reflective travel journals will capture these interactions, enriching our understanding of Puerto Rican resilience and social justice efforts. Additionally, the course will foster opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of course themes through both guided discussions and informal conversations with alumni, and through visits with high school students in San Juan.