Cultural Roots Andres Madrigal

At Colorado College, I would teach an ethnic studies course focusing on heritage and family lineage. Essentially, it will be a research-based course that helps participants unveil information about where their family comes from and expand on prior knowledge. This course is relevant to students at Colorado College because it teaches how to obtain self fulfillment through the understanding of global diasporas.

During the first week, students will begin exploring their own family ancestry by obtaining an oral history on their grandparents or oldest family member. They will also conduct a geographic review of what’s currently happening in the area their relative originated. This project will be based on research obtained from interviews, the internet, books, and databases.

In the second week, students will find up to three traditional recipes for ancestral food. Students will have the opportunity to explore how these recipes have changed over the years in terms of contents and historical context. An example would be the presence of French baguettes in Vietnamese cuisine as a result of colonialism or the increasing amount of genetically modified corn found in Mexican foods such as tortillas. Students will analyze and discuss the...