SS25 TTh 10:20 – 11:40 a.m., 3cr

Diving deep into the intersectional complexities of culture, sexuality, power, and identity in Latin America, in SPN412 Prof. Alejandra Márquez will guide you through the evolving landscape of gender and sexuality from the 20th to the 21st century. As you explore this rich cultural history, you’ll discover significant shifts in gender roles, LGBTQ+ identities, and their representations in popular culture through time and space.

As an example, you might approach the multiple layers of meaning in the iconic photo featured as the cover of this post, which depicts a moment from Las Dos Fridas, a performance by Pedro Lemebel and Francisco Casas of the Yeguas del Apocalípsis collective. From the tension between the figures’ gazes to the symbolic connection of the IV tubes, this image evokes more than a single narrative.

A critical component of the course is the analytical approach to understanding how sexuality and gender shape cultural norms and identities in contemporary Latin America. The class journey concludes with an in-depth exploration of women’s ongoing struggles for equality and justice within deeply gendered societies.

Ultimately, this course material extends beyond simple accumulation of knowledge. The class is also designed to:

• Ignite your understanding of gendered knowledge,
• Challenge your perceptions, and
• Push you to think critically about the intersections of identity, power, and culture in today’s world.

For more information on the course, contact Prof. Márquez (amarquez@msu.edu). For help enrolling, get in touch with Jennifer Gansler (gansler@msu.edu).