Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Feature on COMM 398L

Feature on COMM 398L: Latina/o/x Communication Studies

To help celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are featuring one of our Assistant Professors, Dr. Raquel Moreira, and her new course COMM 398L: Latina/o/x Communication Studies.

Dr. Moreira describes the course as "not only an exploration of the historical and contemporary U.S. treatment of Latines, and how we negotiate our diverse cultural backgrounds in this context; it is also a self-reflexive look at how we treat the most vulnerable within our community. As a Latina communication scholar, something really exciting about this class is that I will get to share my own work as well as the work of other Latine scholars who are also my friends with UMD students." 

Dr. Moreira is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has been in the U.S. for 15 years. What she loves about "Latino culture in general, and Brazilian culture in particular, is that our people are incredibly creative and astute, even under the most difficult circumstances."

Students are raving about the course! Here are some wonderful testimonials:

"The reason I’m taking this class is that I saw “Latino Communications” as more specialized for my major. It also emphasizes the importance of inclusion and making a space for Latines. Most of the time, our history is brushed over. Even I am not always aware of how integral our role is in building the nation. I enjoy this class so much because it’s a very respectful space. Everyone gets to share their perspective in an engaging environment. We always leave feeling empowered. It also validates me as a Mexican. It makes me feel like I matter in the scope of Communication. I see the ways I can incorporate my heritage into the space, and I feel very lucky to be taking this class. It’s definitely my favorite one this semester!" - Fatima Marquez, Communications, 2027

"Having a class like COMM 398L - Selected Topics in Communication: Latina/ o/ x Communication Studies matters at the University of Maryland because it helps aid in the sense of inclusion and togetherness. Courses like this, geared towards understanding different ethnic history & backgrounds, allow for students to expand and further their knowledge on matters that they may have been under-informed or misinformed about, while creating a safe space to be vulnerable, learn, and create community and a sense of belonging." - Diego Diaz-Cooper, Communication, '26

"As someone who isn't a POC, it's always been important to me to verse myself well when it comes to cultures around me and to keep an open mind. The last thing that I want within this life is to become ignorant, especially because I've grown up around Latino communities my whole life. I'd be doing a disservice to myself and those around me if I were to stay in the dark about the history and culture surrounding those communities. That is the reason that I'm taking this class, and it's already paid off as I've been exposed to so much new information and so many new perspectives. I couldn't recommend it enough." - Nathan Jones, Computer Science, '27

"COMM398L is a rare gem. In a changing world, it is a course that stands out, provokes reflection, and connects us to our history, our identities, and our future." - Daisy Navarro, Double Major in Chemistry and Biology, Class of 2026

"COMM398L has provided me with the opportunity to understand my identity and sense of belonging in the United States during a time that has made me feel like an outsider. It has allowed me to learn about Latina/o/x history that I wouldn't have known otherwise." 
- Guadalupe Vidal-Herrera, Communication, Senior 26'

This course will also be offered in Spring 2026 so don't miss out!