Karma R. Chávez

DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to introduce students to key theories, trends and perspectives within the contemporary field of study loosely categorized as “queer migration,” with a primary (though not sole) focus on the context of Latinx communities and the United States. This course will consider both historical and contemporary examples that reveal the complex relationships between and among race, gender, sexuality, citizenship, belonging, and borders within the contexts of global capitalism, settler colonialism, and transnational relationships among nation-states.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To have a working understanding key theoretical concepts, including but not limited to: citizenship, globalization, neo-liberalism, belonging, diaspora, queer, borders, militarization, mobility and im/migration
2. To have a clear conceptualization of how racialized sexuality and gender have been and continue to be integral to immigration processes
3. To learn about the identities, experiences and political activism of queer migrants

TEXT:

1. Luibhéid, Eithne. Entry Denied: Controlling Sexuality at the Border. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2002.

2. Cantú Jr, Lionel. The Sexuality of Migration: Border Crossings and Mexican Immigrant Men. Edited by Nancy A. Naples and Salvador Vidal-Ortiz. New York: New York University Press, 2009.

3. Rand, Erica. The Ellis Island Snow Globe. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2005.

4. Peña, Susana. Oye Loca: From the Mariel Boatlift to Gay Cuban Miami. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2013.

5. Chávez, Karma R. Queer Migration Politics: Activist Rhetoric and Coalitional Possibilities. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2013.

6. Decena, Carlos Ulises. Tacit Subjects: Belonging and Same-Sex Desire among Dominican Immigrant Men.  Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2011.   

GRADING:

1. Blog Responses (50 pts possible):  5 times throughout the semester, you will be asked to write short (150-200 word) responses to course readings. These responses should be thought provoking and designed to help facilitate in-class discussion. You will sign up for dates during the first week of class.

2. Participation (25 pts possible): People learn and contribute in different ways. The following will count for participation points: Relevant in-class comments, discussions with me in my office about class materials, emails sent to me about class materials, interesting artifacts brought to class as to enhance everyone’s understanding of a topic. On average, you will want to participate at least twice a week to earn an A or a B.

3. Short Papers (100 pts possible): You will write two 4-5 page papers.

a. Migration Artifact Analysis – analyze a piece of migration rhetoric (e.g., speech, letter, manifesto, statement, image, poster, song, photo, art etc.) (50 pts)

b. Interview Analysis – interview someone in your life who has migrated, transcribe the interview, and analyze it for key themes (50 pts)

4. Final Exam (75 pts possible): Students will be given a final exam where they will be asked to synthesize course readings.

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