OFCUBA01 - Cuba: An American History

Course Description

This course explores the "intertwined destiny" of Cuba and the United States, based on Ada Ferrer’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Cuba: An American History. Over six sessions, we will move beyond Cold War headlines to examine five centuries of shared history, from the arrival of Columbus to the modern era. Each class will feature a mix of instructor-led lectures and open group discussions, allowing us to unpack the shifting political landscape that links Cuba and the United States.

While reading the book will deeply enrich your experience, the course is designed so that you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of Cuba’s history through the lectures and discussions even if you don’t finish every chapter.

Bio: Darlene Reaves is a retired high school science teacher with 31 years of experience in the classroom. A dedicated lifelong learner and veteran instructor for the Felicianas Chapter of OLLI, she has designed and taught 20 previous courses on a wide range of diverse subjects.
A recent trip to Cuba sparked a deep personal interest in the island’s complex past and its inseparable connection to the United States.