Latin American and Latino Studies Concentration

Undergraduate Concentration

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The cultural, economic and geopolitical impact of Latin America and Latinos 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 Latinos 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 Latinos in the U.S. or one sixth of the U.S. population so that Latinos 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 Latinos 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 Latino Studies Concentration’s website.

Concentration Requirements

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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

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María Acosta Cruz, Director of LALS (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)

Tim Downs (International Development, Community and Environment)

Odile Ferly (Language, Literature & Culture)

John Garton (Visual & Performing Arts)

Denise Humphreys-Bebbington (Women’s and Gender Studies)

Willem Klooster (History)

Heather Silber Mohamed (Political Science)

Paul Posner (Political Science)

Juan Pablo Rivera  (Language, Literature & Culture)

Rinku Roy Chowdhury (Geography)

Rosalie Torres Stone (Sociology)

Lucila Valerio, (English)

Courses

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Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Year

• ARTH 234 - Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture
• CMLT 208 - Caribbean Women’s Fiction
• ENG 238 - Contemporary Latino/a Literature
• GEOG 179 - Global and Local Environmental Justice
• HIST 191 - Pirates and Smugglers in the Atlantic World
• HIST 235 - The Atlantic World
• ID 272 - Environmental Justice in Latin America
• IDCE 30272 - Environmental Justice in Latin America
• PSCI 094 - Dictators and Revolutionaries in Latin America
• PSCI 173 - Latin-American Politics
• PSCI 217 - Latino Politics in the U.S.
• PSCI 290 - U.S. - Latin American Relations - Capstone Seminar
• PSYC 232 - Research in Community
• SPAN 117 - Community Field Work
• SPAN 131 - Readings in Hispanic Literatures
• SPAN 133 - Hispanic Cultures
• SPAN 136 - Women in Hispanic Literature & Art
• SPAN 239 - Hispanic Caribbean Cultures
• SPAN 243 - Latin American Essay and Thought