Course list and descriptions
*HON 2515-101: Perspectives on the Cuban Revolution
Professor Joseph Gonzalez
MTWR 11:00-12:15, Synchronous Online
For five hundred years, Cubans have fought for freedom. This course is about how and why they fought, as well as about how, in the midst of that struggle, Cubans created a culture that celebrated racial egalitarianism, nationalism, creativity--and pleasure. It is also about the ambiguous nature of the Cuban Revolution, a moment, and a movement, that no longer unites Cubans as it once did.
In order to aid them in their exploration of Cuba, students will read fiction, memoirs, and social science, in addition to watching narrative and documentary films. Students will, at times, work asynchronously, but there will be multiple synchronous meetings every week on Zoom.
This course is joined to HON 3515, Rhythm and Revolution, taught by Ms. Emily Daughtridge; students will enroll in both courses and integrate all that they learn about Cuba during the term.
*HON 2515 and 3515 are co-requisites and students must enroll in both.
*HON 3515: Rhythm & Revolution: Dance in Cuba
Professor Emily Daughtridge
MTWR 9:30-10:45, Synchronous Online
Dance has existed from the beginning of time in all cultures as an aspect of human behavior and expression. This course will provide students a trans-national, creative experience that introduces the culture of Cuba, through dance by exploring the significant roles that dance plays inside the culture and society. Students will explore dance, music and constructions of space as integral components of Cuban society and functions of Cuban culture in:
● Afro-Cuban ritual dances stemming from the cultures of enslaved Yoruban and Bantu peoples.
● Social dance forms (such as Danzon, Son, Salsa/Casino) as expressions of individual and community identities that shape ideas of race, class and gender.
● Concert dance including ballet, folkloric and contemporary dance as forms of idealism, nationalism, propaganda and resistance.
Consideration will be given to historical influences from the royal courts of Europe, dynamic cultures and religions of Africa, and soviet Russia evidenced within dance forms, in both the cultures of Cuba and that of our students.
Students will learn not only by studying “about” Cuban dance but will learn by dancing themselves and thus embodying experiences, skills and knowledge through engaged mind/body participation required to create and perform dance works. (No prior dance experience is necessary.)
*HON 2515 and 3515 are co-requisites and students must enroll in both.