The definition and substance of citizenship have changed dramatically in the past two hundred plus years. Since the violent birth of independent nations in the Americas, countries as varied as the United States, Cuba, and Brazil have experienced struggles over basic assumptions about who belongs to the nation, who deserves to protect it and be protected by it, as well as ideas about individual and group rights. These conflicts continue to the present day, as seen in the public and legal debates over access to the ballot box, racial violence, immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ equality, inclusion of people with disabilities, and other issues. While governments and courts have historically played a central role in defining and enforcing rights, at the same time, citizens and non-citizens alike have participated in the process of redefining rights, often altering broad societal understandings of citizenship and inclusion. In this class, we will trace the evolution of expanding (and occasionally contracting) rights and responsibilities over time, the question of inclusion versus exclusion, and the experience of diverse social groups as they demand increased access to political and economic power, with a focus on the United States and Latin America.