The minor in Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines subject matter and modes of inquiry from several academic disciplines to give the student a broad background encompassing the historical, political, social, and cultural aspects of Latin America, as well as of Latinx populations in the United States and elsewhere. Students are encouraged to develop the analytical and evaluative skills that will enable them to gain a systematic understanding of the region.
The rapid growth of the Latinx population in the U.S. continues to produce an increasing need for trained persons with a knowledge of the Latin American region to work in teaching, government, the nonprofit sector, journalism, business, and other fields. The minor is also well-suited to students who wish to pursue graduate work in Latin American Studies or other disciplines in which a Latin American specialization is helpful. An individualized major in Latin American Studies is also available to students who are interested.
Requirements for the Latin American Studies Minor (20 semester hours)
Twelve semester hours from Society and Culture:
- ANTH 235 Cultures of Mexico and Ecuador (4)
- HIST 256 Colonial Latin America (4)
- HIST 258 Modern Latin America (4)
- GCS 250W Narratives of Migration: From Islamic Spain to the US/Mexico Border (4)
- SPAN 380 Latin American Cinema (4)
- REL 334 Liberation Theology and Social Change (4)
- SPAN 333 Hispanic Civilization (4)
- SPAN 352 Peninsular Literature I: Medieval, Early Modern, and American Colonial (4)
Also, every semester please check the LAS Course Schedule on the web for possible additional offerings under this category.
No double counting a Society and Culture course under the Language and Literature category, or vice versa.
Four semester hours from Language and Literature:
- SPAN 355 Latin American Literature I: Conquest to Independence (4)
- SPAN 356 Latin American Literature II: Modernismo to the Present (4)
- SPAN 427 Topics in Latin American Literature (4)
- SPAN 428 Contemporary Mexican Literature (4)
- SPAN 430 History of Hispanic Thought (4)
- SPAN 431 Contemporary Latin American Novel and Short Story (4)
- SPAN 435 Contemporary Latin American Women Writers (4)
Also, every semester please check the LAS Course Schedule on the web for possible additional offerings under this category.
No double counting a Language and Literature course under the Society and Culture category, or vice versa.
Four semester hours from Society and Culture or from Language and Literature
Indicators of Achievement
Student Learning Outcomes for the Latin American Studies Minor
- Interdisciplinary understanding of Latin America, including perspectives from various disciplines in the social sciences and humanities
- Proficiency in Spanish
- First-hand experience in Latin America and/or with Latinos in the U.S.
- Exposure to service-learning in Latin America and/or with Latinos in the U.S.
- Excellence in analysis of issues related to Latin America
Faculty
- Ana Montero, Professor of Global Cultural Studies
- Maria Blanco-Arnejo, Professor of Spanish,
- William T. Smaldone, E. J. Whipple Professor of History; Department Chair
- Peter Wogan, Professor of Anthropology and Global Cultural Studies
Professor Emeriti
- John Uggen, Emeritus, Professor of Spanish
- Patricia Varas, Professor Emerita of Spanish
- Charles I Wallace, Jr., Chaplain Emeritus, Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Course Listings
LAS 199 Topics in Latin American Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Latin American Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
LAS 299 Topics in Latin American Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Latin American Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
LAS 380 Latin American Cinema (4)
This course examines films, features and documentaries, by and about Latin Americans. It focuses on the political, economic, social, and aesthetic tensions that characterize the region and contextualize cinematic production. It explores the constitution of Latin American cultural identity through film. Conducted in English. Students wishing to receive credit in Spanish must produce all written work in this language.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences; PDE
- Offering: Alternate Spring semesters
- Instructor: Staff
LAS 399 Topics in Latin American Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Latin American Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
LAS 429 Topics in Latin American Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Latin American Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
LAS 497W Senior Thesis in Latin American Studies (4)
In the Senior Thesis, students are expected to integrate various components of the major program in the analysis of a topic of special interest. Topics must be proposed to and approved by the Latin American Studies faculty. The thesis will normally be written in English, but the incorporation of documentation and references in Spanish will be required. Also, a multi-page précis of the thesis in Spanish must accompany the thesis. The thesis is presented to a faculty examination committee upon its completion.
- General Studies Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered
- Prerequisite: Senior standing in Latin American Studies
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Staff