This course asks you to build clear, evidence-based historical arguments about sexuality in Latin America by treating sexuality as a social and historical construct shaped by power, law, religion, labor, race, and gender. Across 3–5 readings per unit (with room to incorporate additional sources), you will develop a defendable thesis, synthesize multiple perspectives, and situate local cases within broader historiographical contexts. You may choose from a range of innovative, nontraditional formats or write the standard six-page interpretive essay as the baseline; in all cases, your work should demonstrate deep critical thinking, careful source use, and coherent argumentation. If you select a nontraditional format, you must include a brief reflection explaining how the format influenced your argument and use of sources.
Quick expectations checklist
Clear historical argument and thesis
Each unit deliverable must present a defendable claim about sexuality as a social/historical construct.
Ground your argument in multiple readings (3–5) and, when allowed, additional sources you cite properly.
Engagement with readings
Demonstrate close reading, cite and quote/paraphrase from multiple readings, and address historiographical debates.
Show how different sources illuminate context, power relations, and everyday practices related to sexuality.
Synthesis across sources
Move beyond summary to synthesize across readings, identifying agreements, tensions, and implications for your argument.
Source use and evidence
Use precise evidence (quotations or close paraphrase) and contextualize it within the historical moment.
Include citations in the chosen style (Chicago or MLA) and provide a complete bibliography.
Format and innovation
You may choose from the eight nontraditional formats (mini-exhibit, map, zine, website page, museum exhibit, visual timeline, podcast/soundscape, etc.) or the standard six-page essay.
Even in nontraditional formats, the argument must be clear and historically grounded.
Reflection for nontraditional formats
Attach a brief reflection explaining how the format influenced argumentation, source selection, and presentation.
Potential Formats
1) Standard six-page interpretive essay (baseline)
What it is: The core, traditional research paper requiring synthesis of 3–5 readings to argue a historical point about the unit’s theme.
Deliverables: Minimum 6 pages of main text (double-spaced, 12-point font), a bibliography, citations in Chicago or MLA (as you specify).
What to include: Defendable thesis; integrated analysis of multiple readings; direct quotation or close paraphrase; synthesis across sources; attention to context, power relations, and historiography.
Length/scope: 6+ pages; bibliography not included in page count.
Assessment focus: Clear thesis, coherent argument, evidence from multiple readings, historical interpretation, and writing quality.
2) Mini-exhibit (physical or digital)
What it is: A compact, 2–3 panel display (or 6–8 slide digital gallery) arguing a historical point using 3–5 readings.
Deliverables: Panels/slides with captions, a 1-page curator’s statement, and a 1-page reflection if not writing a traditional essay.
What to include: An overarching historical argument across panels; direct quotations from multiple readings; captions situating items in context and noting power relations.
Reflection: Required if not writing a traditional essay (1-page reflection on how the exhibit format shaped argument and sourcing).
Length/scope: 2–4 pages of written content across captions + 1-page curator’s statement; optional narration.
3) Source detective and synthesis map
What it is: A visual concept map, infographic, or mind map showing how 3–5 readings connect around key themes and arguments.
Deliverables: The map plus a 1-page synthesis explanation describing the through-line and how readings support or contest each other.
What to include: Nodes for major concepts with labeled connections summarizing each reading’s stance; a legend or key showing source provenance.
Reflection: Required (brief note on how the visual format changed emphasis and interpretation).
Length/scope: Map plus 1-page explanation; optional 1-paragraph “why these readings matter together.”
4) Zine
What it is: A 4–6 page digital or print zine using 3–5 readings to argue a historical point, with concise text and visuals.
Deliverables: Zine pages with interpretive captions, an intro and conclusion presenting a historical argument, and a bibliography or reading list.
What to include: Quotations and paraphrase from key evidence; show how sources intersect or clash to illuminate changes in sexuality, gender, and power.
Reflection: Required (1-page reflection on how the non-traditional format influenced argument and source selection).
Length/scope: 4–6 pages of content; optional reflection.
5) Website page (mini-site or robust page)
What it is: A standalone web page or small site presenting a coherent historical argument drawn from multiple readings, with embedded quotes and citations and short interpretive capsules.
Deliverables: 1–2 page narrative plus 3–6 source-side sections, a bibliography, and a brief “how to read these sources” guide for lay readers.
What to include: A defendable argument; explicit evidence from several readings; commentary on source reliability or perspective.
Reflection: Required if not a full essay (1-page reflection on how the format affected argument and source integration).
6) Museum exhibit (with quotes allowed)
What it is: An exhibit plan for 4–6 items (sources, images, artifacts, or quotes) arranged to tell a persuasive historical story about sexuality in the unit.
Deliverables: Exhibit labels (1–2 paragraphs each, with at least one direct quote), a curator’s note or interpretive essay (1 page), and a brief reflection if desired.
What to include: A unifying argument across items, context for each item, source provenance and perspective, and a concluding synthesis.
Reflection: Optional (if skipping a traditional essay, add a 1-page reflection on how curatorial choices influenced your argument).
7) Visual timeline
What it is: A 1–2 page narrative timeline (or digital timeline) marking key moments where sexuality intersects with state, society, or reform, using 3–5 readings as anchors.
Deliverables: Timeline with date/event entries and 1–2 sentence interpretive captions per entry, plus a 1-page synthesis paragraph.
What to include: Each entry ties a reading to a larger historical argument about gender, sexuality, and power; show progression or turning points across the unit.
Reflection: Optional (short reflection on how the chronological format shaped interpretation of causality and change).
Length/scope: Timeline plus synthesis; optional reflection.
8) Podcasts/audio documentary or oral-history inspired soundscape
What it is: A 6–8 minute audio piece (podcast, documentary segment, or soundscape) weaving evidence from 3–5 readings into a coherent historical argument.
Deliverables: Audio file plus a transcript or script (recommended for accessibility), optional listener notes.
What to include: A clear thesis about sexuality and the period; integrated quotations or paraphrase from multiple readings; scene-setting and concise narration.
Reflection: Required if not writing a traditional essay (1-page reflection on how the audio format affected argumentation and source use).