Contextual Thinking

Course Number: 82-281

Taught in English. Fulfills Contextual Thinking Gen Ed requirement

Section A: Gender and Sexuality in the Spanish-speaking world

In recent years, issues of gender and sexuality in the Spanish-speaking world have garnered much international attention - for example the #niunamenos movement throughout Latin America, recent protests over restrictive abortion laws in the Dominican Republic, the rise of transgender rights movements in the Americas and Europe, femicide on the US-Mexico border and throughout the Northern Triangle of Central America. While these are more recent manifestations, gender and sexuality have always played a critical role in an understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. In this course, we will explore how gender, understood as a social construct, and sexuality are inextricably linked to economic and political structures, and importantly, how gender and sexuality intersect with race and class in the very diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is conducted in English but students with knowledge of Spanish will have an opportunity to use their language skills.

Section B: Arab Culture Through Dialogues, Film, and Literature

In today's society that explores Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), one ought to ponder the challenges that Arab societies might have and the progress made to celebrate and achieve DEI among its minority groups. Some of the questions that this course addresses are whether a minority in Arab societies is defined by number or status; the autocratic governments' use of identity politics to serve their own interests; the role of education, social norms, and media in approaching issues of skin colors and minorities' rights; and the historical changes that have shaped citizenship and belonging. This course aims to enrich students' understanding of the diversity of minority groups of other religions (Muslims, Christians, Jews), sects (Sunni and Shi'a), ethnicities (Copts, Nubians, Kurds), Palestinians, LGBTQ, and women.

VIEW the Schedule of Classes for more details

Units: 9
Prerequisite(s): None