ARH 295-03 - Special Topic: Art, Media & the Built Environment in Cuba

4 credits (Spring)

In his famous 1961 speech to artists, writers, and intellectuals, Fidel Castro proclaimed: “Within the Revolution, everything…” Castro was indicating not only the terms of censorship for the new socialist government, but the ideological means of cultural production that would come to dominate the island nation in the following decades. This class analyzes art, media, and the built environment as they relate to concepts of revolution, utopia, and cubanidad, or “Cubanness.” Looking at material ranging from works by Cuba’s artistic vanguardia of the 1920s to contemporary debates regarding internet access and new media, we explore how the visual can be both symbolic of state interests and illustrative of subversions to the state.

Prerequisite: ARH 103.
Note: This course includes required travel to Cuba over spring break. Students will be required to pay a $400 participation fee (most other required travel expenses will be covered). This fee will be added to the student tuition bill and is due by the first day of classes. If payment of this fee causes you financial concern, please contact Gretchen Zimmermann in the Financial Aid Office to discuss loan options to cover this additional cost for attendance.
Instructor: Rivera