Download IFSA-BUTLER PROGRAM IN CUBA

CUBA: Culture, Art, & Society
Professors:
Armando Rangel Rivero, PhD.: [email protected]
Vanessa Vázquez Sánchez, PhD.: [email protected]
Contact phone:
78793488 and 78329000
Length:
16 weeks
Contact Hours:
64
Credit Hours:
4 U.S. Semester credit hours
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Location:
455, 25th Street between J and I
University of Havana
General content
This anthropology course introduces students to the interwoven relationship amongst Cuban
culture, society and art. We will inscribe, in time and space, various contexts, including: historical,
architectural, urban, social and how these elements create artistic values and influence local
cultures and communities.
In addition to this course, students are encouraged to engage with the communities in which they
are living and question their and other perspectives, while learning to appreciate similarities and
differences to achieve a meaningful integration.
General Objectives
Understand how Cuban culture, society and arts relate to each other and to the communities in
which they are inscribed, through time and space. Understand the contribution of Cuban culture in
the course themes by way of historical context, architecture, urban studies, and social contexts.
Academic Honesty
IFSA-Butler takes academic integrity very seriously. Students must not accept outside assistance
without permission from the instructor. Additionally, students must document all sources according
to the instructions of the professor. Should your professor suspect you of plagiarism, cheating, or
other forms of academic dishonesty, you may receive a fail for the course and disciplinary action
may occur. The incident will be reported to the resident director as well as your home university. It
is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic misconduct, as definitions vary by
culture and educational system.
© 2015 Institute for Study Abroad™, Butler University
Attendance
A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass the course.
Methodology
Students in this course will have an active participation in and outside of the classroom. It combines
lectures, audiovisual presentations, instructor-guided field trips to historical locations and
museums, and a four-day participatory visit to a rural community. Lectures are based on readings.
Contact hours
3 hours contact time for 15 sessions (45h)
1 instructor-guided rural community visit (9h)
5 instructor-guided field trips in the city (2 visits and 3 museums) (10h)
Total number of contact hours: 64
This course will require 3 hours per week commitment of out-of-class independent work for reading
and weekly journal entries (homework).
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated for participation in class discussions, a midterm paper and a final paper
20% Oral contributions to class dialogue (class participation)
30% Written contributions (reflective essays)
20% Participation in community visits and outings
30% Final projects (individual presentations using selected media)
Midterm Paper (week 8): a 3 page printed essay in Spanish outlining the topic of interest related to
the themes discussed in class, to later be developed into a final paper. It includes an introduction, a
description of its main objective, and a basic bibliography.
Term Paper (week 14): a 10 to 12 page printed essay in Spanish, approved by the course professors
during the midterm evaluation, including an introduction, a statement of objective, a theoretical
and a methodological framework, and a bibliography. The paper will be discussed and submitted in
class during a 10 minute oral presentation.
© 2015 Institute for Study Abroad™, Butler University
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
Theme 1: Historical Context, Architecture, Urbanism and Tourism
Week 1
Orientation Session: a general introduction of the professors, teaching methods, themes, and
midterm and final papers.
Race and Ethnicity
Differences between the concepts of race and ethnicity. Ethnic components of the Cuban
population. Status of the concept of race in contemporary anthropology. “Mestizaje” of the Cuban
population. Race relations in Cuba.
Watch: Black in Latin America by Professor Henry L Gates of Harvard University.
Exercise: 2p essay: What does it mean to be Cuban? What do you think about Cuban art, culture
and society?
Week 2
Cuba and its Historical Context I
The Historical Center of La Havana Vieja: An instructor-guided walking tour
The visit will include the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), Small Temple (Templete), San Francisco
Church and Square (Iglesia y Plaza de San Francisco), Old Square (Plaza Vieja), Church of the Christ
(Plaza del Cristo), Bishop and Merchants Streets (Calle Obispo y Mercaderes) and other historical
sites.
Reading:
Vázquez, P (2014) La Habana en su justo filo. Catalejo, el blog de Revista Temas
ANUARIO ESTADÍSTICO DE CUBA 2009. La obra de restauración del Centro Histórico de La Habana.
Week 3
Cuba and its Historical Context II
A visit to Square of the Revolution and Playa Municipalities: An instructor-guided walking tour
Squares, monuments and architecture: tour includes the Square of the Revolution (Plaza de la
Revolución), Columbus Cemetery (Cementerio de Colón), 5th Avenue and art schools west of Playa
Municipality (Municipio Playa). Discussion: analysis of architectural changes in Havana.
Exercise: 1p essay: Compare the architecture and urbanism of the areas and describe your
observations of people, their interactions and the activities they carry out.
Reading:
Vázquez, P (2011). Calle G: de cuando los ciudadanos hallaron su ciudad. Revista Temas 2011
CUBA Y SU HISTORIA.- La Quinta Avenida de Miramar.
Week 4
Intercultural Approaches that Enhance Anthropological Study
Culture and community. Organization of a trip to a rural community La Picadora, Yaguajay
municipality, Sancti Spíritus province in the central region of Cuba. This 4-day community visit will
typically take place in May and October. The students will work with farmers, do domestic work,
cook, and participate in other activities of a daily life in rural Cuba. After the trip, they complete 3
exercises which will be explained.
Exercise: 2pp. essay: Describe your experience working in a specific community. Reference at least
two of this week’s readings to frame your experiences.
© 2015 Institute for Study Abroad™, Butler University
Reading:
Bennett, M (2004). Becoming Interculturally Competent. In Wurzel, J. (Ed.).Toward multiculturalism:
A reader in multicultural education (2nd ed., pp. 62-77). Newton, MA: Intercultural Resource
Corporation.
Bennett, Milton, J. (1998). Intercultural communication: A current perspective. In Milton J. Bennett
(Ed.), Basic concepts of intercultural communication: Selected readings. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural
Press.
Jean Francois Staszak (2008). Other/Otherness. International Encyclopedia of Human Geography,
Elsevier.
Dervin, F Cultural identity,
http://users.utu.fi/freder/.
representation,
and
Othering.
Personal
website:
De La Torre, C (2001) Las identidades: una mirada desde la psicología. Centro de Investigación y
Desarrollo de la cultura Cubana Juan Marinello.
Week 5
Anthropology and Tourism
The giver-receiver relationship. Tourism and commercialization of culture. Tourism and cultural
heritage. Case studies: historical centers of Baracoa, Camaguey, Trinidad, and La Habana Vieja.
Exercise: 1p. essay: Do you feel in Cuba like a student or like a tourist? Explain your selection. Cite
at least two academic sources.
Reading: Rangel, A. y Martínez, A. (2005). LA ANTROPOLOGÍA EN FUNCIÓN DE LA HISTORIA Y LA
CULTURA TURÍSTICA. En Antropología Social. Selección de lecturas. Editorial Félix Varela, La Habana.
THEME 2 Cuban Artistic Expression: An Anthropological Vision
Week 6
Music and Popular Culture
Spaces and festivals for a diverse musical expression and their importance in the Cuban culture.
Ancient music festival of Esteban Salas. Chamber music festival of Leo Brower. Women in music.
The Romeu Camerata. Traditional Cuban Trova. Buena Vista Social Club. The New Trova. Rock
festivals. “The yellow submarine” center. “Campesina” music and the TV program “Palmas y cañas.”
Hip Hop and “reggaetón.” Popular dance orchestras and spaces of public socialization.
Exercise: 1p. essay: From your experience in Cuba, what impact has Cuban music and its rhythms
had on you, and how is music enjoyed and/or used differently in your home community (in the U.S.
or other home)?
Week 7
Ballet and dance in Cuba: Anthropology and theater. Contemporary Cuban theater. The Cuban Art
Factory Project (FAC)
Reading: Betancourt, H (2004) ¿BAILARINES MESTIZOS EN LAS ARTES DANZARIAS CUBANAS?
ANTROPOLOGIA 2004. Conferencia Internacional Antropología 2004
© 2015 Institute for Study Abroad™, Butler University
Week 8
Midterm evaluation: presentation of midterm essays and discussion of selected topics.
Week 9
Artistic Cultural Values
The Development of the Arts in Cuba: Painting, engraving and sculpting. A survey of most
representative painters, engravers, sculptors and their works.
Instructor-guided field visit: National Museum of Fine Arts.
Exercise: 2pp. essay: Choose one piece of art from the National Museum of Fine Arts and describe
its relation with the historical moment and Cuban culture. Make sure to mention title of the chosen
work, author and periodicity.
Week 10
Representation of Cuba and Cubans in Literature
Cuban literature from an anthropological point of view. An examination of classic books like Cecilia
Valdés, Gallego, Biografía de un cimarrón, Las Honradas Las impuras, La novela de mi vida, Fresa y
Chocolate, El vuelo del gato, SAB.
Exercise: Class presentation about the book you received during the first class, keeping in mind the
different communities represented in Cuban literature.
Theme 3: Cuban population and religion
Week 11
Demographics of Cuba
Contemporary Cuban population: composition, distribution and demographic characteristics. The
challenges of low birth rate and aging population. Large family vs. small family.
Exercise: 1p. essay on the challenges of birth. Interview 2 women and 2 men about what it means
to have a child in Cuba.
Reading:
Alfonso Fraga, JC (2006)1 El descenso de la fecundidad en Cuba: de la Primera a la segunda
transición demográfica. Rev. Cubana Salud Pública 2006; 32 (1).
Week 12
Early Cuban People
Native Cuban cultures. First population settlements. Are there descendants of native Cubans today?
Cuban native heritage. Communities or social aggregations.
Instructor-guided field visit: Montané Museum.
Reading: Rangel, A Historia del Museo Antropológico Montané
Week 13
Popular Religion
Introduction to Religion in Cuba. Interwoven religious traditions (hybrid religious traditions).
Religious syncretism. Religion and communities.
Instructor-guided field visit Museos de Guanabacoa y Regla
Exercise: 1p. essay on your impressions of the museum. Reference at least one academic work.
© 2015 Institute for Study Abroad™, Butler University
Week 14
Final presentations and final paper submission.
Week 15
Debriefing and course evaluation.
Selected Bibliography
Colectivo de autores (2010). Cuba. Población y Desarrollo, CEDEM. La Habana.
Colectivo de Autores (2011) Las relaciones raciales en Cuba, Fundación Fernando Ortiz, La Habana.
Colectivo de autores (2012). Cuba etnográfica. Fundación Fernando Ortiz. La Habana.
Cruceiro, A (2009) Hacia una antropología urbana en Cuba. La fuente Viva. Fundación Fernando
Ortiz. La Habana.
Guanche Pérez, J. (1996). Componentes étnicos de la nación cubana. Ediciones Unión. La Habana.
Linares, J (2013) Museos, tiempo, espacio y luz. Ediciones Boloña. Publicaciones de la Oficina del
Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana. La Habana.
Martínez, A J (2002) Siglo XXI: antropología, “razas” y racismo”, En: Revista Catauro, Año 4, N o 6,
pp. 36-51.
Rangel, A (2013). La Antropología en Cuba. Orígenes y desarrollo. Fundación Fernando Ortiz. La
Habana.
Segre, R (2003) Arquitectura Antillana del siglo XX. Editorial Arte y Literatura, La Habana.
Vázquez, V y Martínez, AJ (2007) Contribuciones de la Antropología biológica a la enseñanza y
práctica del ballet en Cuba. 14 Encuentro Internacional de Academias para la enseñanza de Ballet.
Escuela Nacional de Ballet.
© 2015 Institute for Study Abroad™, Butler University