Welcome! I am looking forward to exploring the music and culture of the Latin world with you in my course, “Historia, instrumentos, bailes y música de Latinoamérica”. Throughout this course, you will expand your knowledge of the Spanish language through the discovery of different music, dances, and other artistic expressions. Through these subjects, we will learn about different cultures and how their stories are told through their musical traditions.

The purpose of this topic course is to provide students with a better understanding of the music, culture, and society of the Latin world, and to explore music as a means of cultural expression. Students will learn about the heritage, values, practices, challenges, and conflicts that comprise Latin culture and society. The course analyzes the role music plays in human life, including a variety of social and political contexts. Students will examine the idea that music is very much a part of everyday life in any society. We will learn how music serves as a bridge and as a resource to engage in communication and understanding. We will explore the evolution of music as an integral part of the history of a region or group, and we will analyze how it has been used as a way of establishing a dialogue and as a way to affect change in society.

Chapter 1: Interpretations and perspectives of music and society. The cultural presence and popularity of Latin music in the United States and the influence of the “Latin crossover” into mainstream America.

Chapter 2: Caribbean culture, music, and dance. Continued study of the cultural presence and popularity of Latin music in the United States and the influence of the "Latin crossover” into mainstream America.

Chapter 3: Music, society, and artistic expressions as a reflection of cultural identity of different ethnic groups.

Chapter 4: The transformative power of music in society and the political role of music through songs of social significance from Latin America.

Student course pack (available on Canvas Files)