Latin American and Latinx Studies Concentration

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)

Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Year

• ARTH 159 - Latin-American Art
• 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 131 - Social Change in Hispanic Literature
• SPAN 133 - Hispanic Cultures
• SPAN 136 - Women in Hispanic Literature & Art
• SPAN 145 - Latin-American Short Story
• SPAN 155 - Contemporary Cultural Issues in Latin America: Film and Essay
• SPAN 239 - Hispanic Caribbean Cultures
• SPAN 245 - Latin American Short Genres
• SPAN 296 - Advanced Topics