(Dis)Empowering Spaces and Places: Colonial Subjectivities in Puerto Rico, 1880-1980
The purpose of this study is to explore the complex colonial subjectivity of Puerto Rican "citizens" since the United States occupation of the island in the 1890s. By examining imperialist expansion under the guise of United States "democratization," the political, economic and social impact on everyday life is explored. By focusing, more specifically, on the development of educational policies and practices, this study seeks to enhance our understanding of the ways in which "citizens" were (dis)empowered on the one hand, and empowered themselves, on the other.
The proposed study draws upon primary and secondary archival documents related to the military occupation and juridical legislation that led to the formation of the colony. A critical analysis of historical and ethnographic works focusing on cultural and educational policies and practices will lay the groundwork for qualitative research on the impact of education on the Puerto Rican citizens.
School:
Brown University
Department:
Latina/o Studies and International Relations
Research Advisor:
Arlene Torres
Department of Research Advisor:
Anthropology
Year of Publication:
2002