Humanities Center Lecture on Cultural Imperialism in Puerto Rico

The University of Hartford Humanities Center Lecture Series for Spring 2023, focusing on the theme of “Decolonizing the University: Ethnic Studies,” continues Monday, Feb. 27, from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., on Zoom. Email Nicholas Ealy, director of the Humanities Center (ealy@hartford.edu) for information about registering.

The fourth talk in the series, “Cultural Imperialism, Public Education and Americanization Campaigns in Puerto Rico” by Solsiree Del Moral, Professor of American Studies and Black Studies at Amherst College. Professor Del Moral will speak to the many different forms (military, political, economic, and cultural) that U.S. imperialism has taken in Puerto Rico since 1898. In her talk, she will focus on the practice of cultural imperialism, public education, and Americanization campaigns from 1900 to 1930. A review of historical scholarship and archival sources, she will argue, challenges us to re-evaluate the narrative of U.S. cultural imperialism in Puerto Rico, especially given the fact that local teachers, in particular, emerged as the bulwark against Americanization during this period.

The Humanities Center Lecture series is developed and led by Karen Tejada-Peña, Associate Professor of Sociology. For more information, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook.