‘Bad Bunny’ class to be offered at UNM

The University of New Mexico's Department of American Studies is proud to announce a cutting-edge new course for the fall 2026 semester called Bad Bunny: Fashion Revolutions. This course presents a unique opportunity to explore how cultural icons like Bad Bunny shape, reflect, and revolutionize visual identity in the 21st century.

The primary focus will be on "perreo" as an academic subject, exploring how a high-profile, pop culture phenomenon can serve as a complex and insightful lens for analyzing broader societal shifts, fashion as political expression, and the evolution of visual communication.

The course, led by Francisco J. Galarte, Ph.D., aims to deconstruct Bad Bunny's style, explore visual identity, analyze fashion as resistance, and discuss pop culture and intersectionality.

While many see Bad Bunny simply as a music icon, Galarte's curriculum treats the artist's wardrobe as a primary text. "We are moving beyond the celebrity spectacle," says Galarte. "We are looking at how a single outfit-whether it's a 1940s-inspired zoot suit or a gender-fluid gown-can challenge the traditional policing of Latinx identity and the history of the Global South."

A standout feature of the course is the "Digital Atelier," where students will collaborate with Generative AI models to design speculative high fashion looks for the artist. By merging historical archives with AI technology, students will explore the future of Caribbean and Latinx aesthetics. The semester will conclude with a public-facing exhibition titled "THE LOOK: A Speculative Gallery."

This work culminates in a high-stakes group project: "The Benito 2027: Speculative Runways." In these creative collectives, students act as creative directors, historians, and prompt engineers to conceptualize an entire runway experience. Each group must design a cohesive vision that includes specific colorways, original soundscapes, and thematic motifs rooted in critical theory.

The course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and represents UNM's commitment to interdisciplinary innovation and critical AI literacy. By forcing students to "theoretically correct" AI algorithms, the course prepares the next generation of scholars to navigate the ethics of digital creation and cultural representation.