LAS 2290 Latino Politics in the US

This course examines the role of Latino electorates in shaping state and national politics. After a review of the political histories of the various Latino national origin groups, we discuss public policy issues that concern Latinos, the successes and failtures of Latino empowerment strategies, and the electoral impact of Latino votes. The class primarily focuses on the three largest Latino national-origin groups - Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans - and the degree to which their political agendas are likely to merge or diverge over the coming years. The question that we return to throughout the course is the degree to which it is accurate to speak of Latino politics and a Latino community. Additionally, this course examines the cross-cutting cleavages of race, class, and gender in the political struggles of the Latino population in the U.S.
Credits: 3.0