LAS 381 - Special Topics in Latin America Topics

One-time course offerings with themes related to the interdisciplinary study of Latin America. Typically taught at an advanced level but with no prerequisites unless otherwise stated.

Fall 2025- Dreams and Disillusions: Exploring the Cuban Revolution

Instructor - Willis, Angie

“Dreams and Disillusions: the Cuban Revolution” examines historical and literary texts, films, art works and other cultural artifacts related to the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Visons of a utopian place have formed part of the Cuban imagination since long before 1959: Cuba has been part of the dialogue around notions of “Paradise lost” since Columbus first sailed for the New World; many of those same ideals would be later rewritten in the lofty dreams the Cuban Revolution.

Taught in English, this class explores critical and literary works that expose the frustrations and social divisions that led up to Castro’s Revolution, both the elation and the regret of the early days of the Revolution, along with that uncover much about the resilience of the contemporary Cuban people. The majority of the works studied are from the 1940s through contemporary Cuba, with some earlier texts exposing the challenges faced by the former colony, first made wealthy by exploration and slavery. We will find how the struggles of the past still echo today

Spring 2026- TBD
Instructor: Gasparowicz

Fulfills an elective in the Latin American Studies major and minor.
Satisfies Cultural Diversity requirement.
Satisfies Literary Studies, Creative Writing, and Rhetoric requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
While not required, students are encouraged to take LAS 101 before taking this course.