Topics in Latina and Latino Text and Representation (393-0-3)
Topic
Queer Latinx Cultures: Aesthetics, Archives, & Per
Instructors
Adriana Silvestre
Meeting Info
Fisk Hall 114: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
This course explores the diverse landscape of queer and trans Latine culture through visual art, aesthetics, archival practices, and sound. We recognize that Latinx sexualities are complex and that the racialization of marginalized communities shapes cultural expressions. Through a diverse array of visual artworks, performances, sounds, and aesthetics, students will investigate how queer and trans-Latine artists articulate experiences, resistance, and politics of refusal. The course will delve into the historical and contemporary contexts of these expressions, emphasizing the importance of archiving and preserving queer and trans narratives within the Latino community. Our discussions, activities, and projects will be guided by intersectional traditions of Black feminist scholarship, woman of color feminism, and queer and trans of color critique.
Students will engage with critical scholarship in Latinx queer and trans studies to deepen their understanding of how race, class, sexuality, and gender affect current political contexts. This course invites all students to explore the rich aesthetic dimensions of queer and trans Latine culture, encouraging critical engagement and creative expression.
Learning Objectives
• Obtain a firm understanding of the role of socio-political structures of power in shaping the cultural expressions of racialized sexualities.
• Evaluate how cultural production within the queer and trans Latine community contributes to broader conversations about social justice, representation, and politics of refusal.
• Analyze a variety of visual artworks and performances and identify critical themes and theoretical frameworks.
• Assess the importance of community-based archives in preserving queer and trans narratives within the Latino community and consider the implications of erasure and representation.
• Analyze how sound contributes to the construction of identity within queer and trans Latine communities and examine their impact on cultural expression and social change.
• Critically analyze the aesthetic choices made by queer and trans Latine artists, exploring how these choices reflect and shape cultural identities and narratives.
• Co-create knowledge that further develops writing skills and critical thinking skills.
Class Materials (Required)
Readings will be made available online
Class Attributes
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for Latina and Latino Majors and Minors during pre-registration. Regular registration will be open to all majors/minors after the pre-registration period.