Mon: 12:40 PM – 2:30 PM + 1 hour arranged

How does music shape global culture, identity, and resistance?

This course explores the powerful role Latin/o American popular music plays in shaping mass culture across borders. From the rhythms of youth subcultures to movements for social justice, SPN 412 takes students on a journey through the sounds and stories that define Latin/o music in national and transnational contexts.

Topics include:

• Globalization and its impact on music
• Violence, youth culture, and musical expression
• Musical movements for social justice
• Pan-Latin identities and cross-cultural exchange
• Transnational meanings of mass/popular culture

Students will analyze lyrics, instrumentation, dance, and performance styles while engaging with critical discussions on globalization, identity, and resistance. Through readings, listening, and research, students gain insight into the cultural power of music and its role in shaping global communities.

For more information on the course itself, contact Prof. Cabañas (mcabanas@msu.edu). For academic advising and enrollment assistance, visit the Undergraduate Advising Page.