Spanish 321 - Architecture and Violence in the Americas

(Offered as SPAN-321, LLAS-321 and ARCH-321) This course explores historical connections between violence and the built environment in the Americas, from architecture to wastelands, from monuments to mass graves. The class has a twofold objective. On the one hand, we will analyze critical issues concerning the production of the built environment, such as the intersection of race and space or the relationship between state architecture and historical oblivion. On the other hand, we will explore architectures and art projects that actively unsettle colonial legacies and seek to heal historical violence. We will study cases from Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, México and the US, among others. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisites: Spanish 301 or permission of the instructor. Spring Semester: Professor Ferrari.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority will be given to Spanish majors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Students should expect an emphasis on written work, independent research, and creative outcomes. The class will promote a collaborative environment of study and experimentation, including individual and group projects. Readings will be in Spanish and English.