Hispanic Studies 430: Voices of Revolution: Music and Activism in Latin America

Revolutionary voices in Latin America have been heard across time in music and protest chants. In this course, we will explore how music has played an essential role in significant revolutionary and social movements throughout Latin America's varied history. We will compare and contrast protest songs from different periods, such as the corridos of the Mexican Revolution and their evolution into narcocorridos; the transformation of trova in socialist Cuba; folk music and the "Nueva Canción" in the political movements of Chile and Argentina; and the feminist movement and performances of colectivos such as "Las Tesis" or "Callejeras Autoconvocadas Biobio", among others. We will analyze how the lyrics of these songs of protest depict threats to justice and democracy, issues of race, gender, and social inequality. Evaluation is based on class discussion, close reading, written and oral assignments, and a community project. Course taught in Spanish. May be applied to the Lyric/Verse requirement for the major in Hispanic Studies. Satisfies the 400 level requirement for the Hispanic Studies minor.