SPAN 240 - Politics and Environment in Puerto Rico

Interim Abroad in Puerto Rico

Dra. Kristina Medina Vilariño

Spanish 240

Course description:

Spanish 240 is an academic civic engagement course that explores the culture of Puerto Rico, including its politics, national identity, folklore, and the environment. Students travel to Puerto Rico (a territory of the U.S.A.), where they read and analyze authentic materials in Spanish and participate in talks and discussions with local professors, college students, and community leaders.

Topics explored:

  • Colonialism
  • Religion
  • Citizenship
  • Tourism
  • Gentrification
  • Natural disasters
  • Race
  • Sustainability
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A brief history of Puerto Rico

Before the 15th century

  • Taínos are the native peoples of modern-day Puerto Rico, Florida, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas
  • Taínos are one of the Arawak peoples of South America
    • Language spoken is Arawakan
  • Society
    • Taíno means "good and noble" in Arawakan
    • Gentle, friendly, and happy society
    • Highly organized, paternal hierarchy
    • Value music; a song was one of the greatest gifts that one person could give to another

15th and 16th Centuries

1492 - Cristopher Columbus arrives at what today is the Dominican Republic

1493 - Cristopher Columbus arrives at Puerto Rico

1508 - Poncé de León arrives at Puerto Rico and establishes Encomiendas (Spanish farms maintained by forced labor from native people of the island).

1511 - Conflict between Spanish colonists and Taíno peoples of the island results in the decimation of the Taíno population

1530s - Spanish bring enslaved people from Africa and from neighboring islands to Puerto Rico to work in mines and on farms

17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries

1650 - 1700 - Fortresses are built by the Spanish to protect the island from invasion. One such fortress is shown in the background photo of this slide

1837 - Constitutional monarchy is established in Spain and representation of Puerto Rico is in flux, leading to the formation of 3 main political groups

1868 - Local leaders suggest the abolition of slavery, upsetting the Spanish colonial government. Outspoken local leaders are arrested and sent to Spain for trial

1868 - Grito de Lares = Slave rebellion in response to arrest of outspoken abolitionist leaders. Rebellion is quickly squashed, but more liberal reforms are made and Puerto Ricans are offered Spanish citizenship.

1898 - 1917

1898 - Spanish-American War results in Puerto Rico becoming a territory of the United States of America

1917 - The Jones-Shafroth Act grants Puerto Ricans US citizenship, a local government, and no taxation

20th and 21st Centuries

1948 - Luis Muñoz Marín is the first elected governor of Puerto Rico

2000 - Economic crisis in which Puerto Rico declares bankruptcy

2016 - The federal law, PROMESA, is passed under Barack Obama's leadership to establish thee Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (known as "La Junta"). Its purpose is to revise and approve the budget and obligations of the Puerto Rican government

2019 - Code 60 is passed, allowing US citizens who move to Puerto Rico to be tax exempt and causing all tax to be paid by Puerto Ricans.

Current State of Puerto Rico

  • Puerto Ricans are technically citizens of the USA, but they are actually "second class citizens"
  • Over 50% of Puerto Ricans live in poverty
    • Cuts in social services
  • Privatization of:
    • Properties
    • Beaches
    • Electric energy
  • Regular natural disasters
    • Earthquakes
    • Hurricanes

Photos taken by Spanish 240 students in January, 2023

Spanish 240

What can you expect?

  • Academic civic engagement course
  • An immersive experience
    • Walking through the streets talking to local people
    • Always using Spanish
    • Hands-on activities

Itinerary Overview

Locations

  1. San Juan
  2. Ponce
  3. Lajas
  4. Fajardo

Example Activities:

  • Topic lectures by Prof. Kristina Medina Vilariño and guest lecturers
  • Day at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
  • Dorado Beach - experience beach privatization
  • Walking tour of old San Juan
  • Cooking class

Eligibility:

  • Completion of 232 or 233 OR test into 250
  • Students who test into 250 can take 240 before OR after 250
  • Students who have taken a course of level 270 or above are not eligible to take 240

Graduation/Major requirements:

  • GEs
    • FOL-S
    • MCD
  • Counts towards the Environmental Studies major
  • Does NOT count towards the Spanish major
  • 240 cannot be used as a substitute for 250

Accommodations

Created by Amelia Podolny '23