2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Latin American and Latinx Studies Concentration


Overview


Undergraduate Concentration


The cultural, economic and geopolitical impact of Latin America and Latinx in the U.S. is substantial Themes such as immigration, narco-cultures, indigenous movements, left- vs right-wing governments, perennial problems of inequality, and the rise of Brazil as a global economic power, are among the many issues which make the study of Latin America and Latinx in the U.S. interesting and important. Coupled with issues of political and economic significance is the growing popularity of Latin music, art, cinema and food along with the growing numbers of Spanish and Portuguese speakers across the U.S. and other parts of the globe. 2014 census data indicates that there are now 553 million Latinx in the U.S. or one sixth of the U.S. population so that Latinx are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.

LALS is a multidisciplinary concentration designed to expose students to these complex issues. It offers courses which mark the diversity of historical, cultural and political experiences of Latin America, the interrelationships between Latin America and the U.S., and the growing influence of Latinx in the U.S. Students have the opportunity to take concentration-related courses in Art History, Communications, Economics, History, International Development, Political Science, and Spanish.

For more information, please visit the Latin American and Latinx Studies Concentration’s website.

Concentration Requirements


Six courses are required to complete the concentration. Two of the courses must be taken at the 200-level. Students may take up to three courses in Latin American Culture and Literature in Spanish. Study abroad in Latin America is highly encouraged and can be chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor.

Program Faculty


María Acosta Cruz (Language, Literature & Culture)
Belen Atienza (Language, Literature & Culture)
Anthony Bebbington (Geography)
Ramon Borges-Mendez (International Development, Community and Environment)
John Brown (Economics)
Esteban Cardemil (Psychology)
Diogenes Costa Curras, Ph.D. (Language, Literature & Culture)
Tim Downs (International Development, Community and Environment)
Odile Ferly (Language, Literature & Culture)
John Garton (Visual & Performing Arts)
Denise Humphreys-Bebbington (International Development, Community and Environment)
Willem Klooster (History)
Heather Silber Mohamed (Political Science)
Paul Posner, Director (Political Science)
Juan Pablo Rivera (Language, Literature & Culture)
Rinku Roy Chowdhury (Geography)
Rosalie Torres Stone (Sociology)
Lucila Valerio (English)