Latin American Studies (LAMS)
Latin American Studies was established at Bucknell University in 1975 as an interdisciplinary program of area studies in the humanities and social sciences. The program comprises 17 faculty from 10 departments and programs, whose research and teaching focuses on the 43 nations and territories in the Western hemisphere south of the continental United States, as well as Latin Americans within the United States, our nation’s largest minority.
Latin American Studies provides a framework of study in the humanities and social sciences that fosters an integrated approach to understanding Latin American cultures and peoples as well as the important role of Latin America in our 21st-century global system.
Within this framework, students examine the rich chronicle of traditions and historical experience and are encouraged to pose questions on a wide range of essential issues from topics related to race, ethnicity, class, culture, religion, and gender to economic and social struggles, human rights, literature and art, environment, resource management, globalization, regional integration, militarization, democracy, social movements, and theories and approaches to development and sustainability. Courses in Latin American Studies challenge students to formulate international and cross-cultural ethical and moral standards and to structure comparative and alternative perspectives to the study of Latin American nations and societies as well as to their own cultures and countries.
These various topics and objectives, combined with expanded understanding of international issues, increased appreciation for inter-American and global relations, and extensive study of the Spanish language, bring depth and sophistication to the Latin American Studies major and minor.
- Both a major and a minor are offered in Latin American Studies.
- Majors and minors are expected to become proficient in the Spanish language.
- Majors in Latin American Studies are strongly encouraged to plan a semester, a year, or a summer of study in Latin America. Minors in Latin American Studies are encouraged to spend a semester or a summer of study in Latin America.
- Students in the Latin American Studies program are encouraged to participate in one or more service-learning experiences in Latin America or involving Latin Americans in the United States.
Intellectual Competencies of Writing, Formal Speaking and Presentation, and Information Literacy
All students enrolled in courses with the LAMS prefix are required to complete various instructor-directed individual and collaborative formal speaking, presentation, and writing projects that will be evaluated as part of the final course grade. Additionally, as part of the course grade, students enrolled in courses with the LAMS prefix are required to develop skills in information literacy relative to the field of Latin American Studies, including varied approaches to critical reading, analysis, and evaluation of information sources as well as competency in the application of comparative methodologies. Latin American Studies majors are required to take two courses with the LAMS prefix.
Study Abroad in Latin America
Students majoring in Latin American Studies are strongly encouraged to plan a semester, a year, or a summer of study in Latin America. Latin American Studies minors are encouraged to spend a semester or a summer of study in Latin America. When students elect the Latin American Studies major, they should consult with their adviser, with the director of Latin American Studies, and with The Office of Global and Off-campus Education (OGOE), regarding suitable foreign study opportunities. Exceptions to the Bucknell-approved study abroad programs must be approved by the director of Latin American Studies and The Office of Global and Off-campus Education (OGOE).
Substitution of Courses taken during study in Latin America
Students who major in Latin American Studies may substitute certain courses taken during study abroad in Latin America for up to four of the course requirements listed in Lists A, B, C, and D (see Major tab), pending approval of their Latin American Studies adviser and the director of Latin American Studies. Minors in Latin American Studies may substitute certain courses taken during study abroad in Latin America for up to three of the course requirements listed for the LAMS minor, pending approval of their Latin American Studies adviser and the director of Latin American Studies.
Service-learning Experience
Majors and minors are encouraged to participate in one or more service-learning experiences in Latin America or involving Latin Americans in the United States.
Student-faculty Research
Majors and minors are encouraged to approach individual members of the LAMS faculty to seek opportunities to participate in faculty-initiated research in Latin America or involving Latin Americans in the United States.
Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America
Interdisciplinary independent study for the major or for the minor may be taken by enrolling in LAMS 319 Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America, with permission of any faculty member in Latin American Studies. No more than one interdisciplinary independent study course shall be included in the minor.
Non-traditional Study on Latin America
Interdisciplinary non-traditional study for the major or for the minor may be taken by enrolling in LAMS 320 Interdisciplinary Non-Traditional Study on Latin America, with permission of the faculty member in Latin American Studies, who will direct the non-traditional study. Non-traditional study refers to meaningful educational endeavors outside of a scheduled course or a conventional independent study. Such study may be related to work experiences, internships, special projects, and service learning, whether on or off campus. No more than one interdisciplinary non-traditional study course shall be included in the minor.
Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies
The Latin American Studies program strongly encourages qualified majors to consider working for interdisciplinary honors in Latin American Studies. During their junior year, such students should consult with one or more members of the Latin American Studies faculty to begin defining a research topic and writing a proposal to be submitted to the Honors Council by mid-October of the senior year. Normally, a student for honors in Latin American Studies will enroll for:
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America 1 | ||
| Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies 2 | ||
| Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies (both semesters) 1,2 | ||
| 1 | LAMS 319 Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America taken first semester. |
| 2 | LAMS 499 Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies taken second semester. |
Further information about the honors program can be obtained from the academic adviser, from the director of Latin American Studies, or from the Honors Council.
Major Requirements
A minimum of eight courses selected according to the core requirements listed below, including a Latin American Studies Culminating Experience and exhibited proficiency in the Spanish language, as described below.
List A
Two Latin American Studies courses selected from the following list:
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 1 |
| LAMS 252 | Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| LAMS 254 | Topics on Indigenous Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 285 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 295 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 320 | Interdisciplinary Non-Traditional Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 370 | Seminar on Latin America in the Global System | 1 |
| LAMS 450 | Integrative Seminar in Latin American Studies | 1 |
| LAMS 499 | Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies | 1 |
List B
Two Social Science courses on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list:
| ANTH 352 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| ECON 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
| ECON 319 | Economic History of Women in the United States 1 | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues 1 | 1 |
| IREL 250 | Theories of International Relations | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| IREL 350 | Globalization | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Global Restructuring) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Making Globalization Work) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Economic Transition) | 1 |
| IREL 410 | BRICS on the Global Stage | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives 1 | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 280 | Twentieth-century Afro-Caribbean and African-American Thought | 1 |
| SOCI 290 | Caribbean Society Music and Ritual | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| SOCI 312 | Globalization and Conflict | 1 |
| SOCI 354 | Development, Dictators and Diaspora | 1 |
List C
Two Humanities courses on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list. One course will be a course on Latin American history from the history department, and the other will be a course from the Spanish department, taught in the Spanish language, at the SPAN 222 Introduction to Latin American Literature level or above.
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 1 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 222 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 285 | Latino Literature in the U.S. | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 323 | Latin American Short Story | 1 |
| SPAN 346 | Utopia/Dystopia in Urban Latin America | 1 |
| SPAN 348 | Gender in 20th-century Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 360 | Literature and Film of the Hispanic World 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 361 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 362 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 365 | Topics in Latin American Civilization | 1 |
| SPAN 366 | Mexican Revolution: Literature and Art | 1 |
List D
Two electives selected from the following list of courses on Latin American topics, chosen with approval of the student’s adviser in Latin American Studies:
| ANTH 352 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| ECON 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
| ECON 319 | Economic History of Women in the United States 1 | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (Latin America: 1945-1989) 1 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy: 1940s to Present) 1 | 1 |
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues 1 | 1 |
| IREL 250 | Theories of International Relations | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| IREL 350 | Globalization | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Global Restructuring) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Making Globalization Work) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Economic Transition) | 1 |
| IREL 410 | BRICS on the Global Stage | 1 |
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 1 |
| LAMS 252 | Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| LAMS 254 | Topics on Indigenous Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 285 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 295 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 320 | Interdisciplinary Non-Traditional Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 370 | Seminar on Latin America in the Global System | 1 |
| LAMS 450 | Integrative Seminar in Latin American Studies | 1 |
| LAMS 499 | Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives 1 | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 280 | Twentieth-century Afro-Caribbean and African-American Thought | 1 |
| SOCI 290 | Caribbean Society Music and Ritual | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| SOCI 312 | Globalization and Conflict | 1 |
| SOCI 354 | Development, Dictators and Diaspora | 1 |
| SPAN 222 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 285 | Latino Literature in the U.S. | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 323 | Latin American Short Story | 1 |
| SPAN 346 | Utopia/Dystopia in Urban Latin America | 1 |
| SPAN 348 | Gender in 20th-century Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 360 | Literature and Film of the Hispanic World 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 361 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 362 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 365 | Topics in Latin American Civilization | 1 |
| SPAN 366 | Mexican Revolution: Literature and Art | 1 |
| 1 | These courses will count toward a Latin American Studies major or minor when the content places significant emphasis on a Latin American topic. |
Additional Courses
Additional courses with substantial Latin American content that do not appear in one of the lists above may be elected from the approved courses offered each semester under Latin American Studies (LAMS) in the current Class Schedule.
Proficiency and Competency in the Spanish Language
Latin American Studies majors are required to demonstrate proficiency in the Spanish language by successfully completing, at least, one course taught in the Spanish language at the SPAN 222 Introduction to Latin American Literature level or above.
Prerequisites Courses
Of the courses in Lists A, B, C, and D, the following courses have prerequisites and require permission of the instructor:
| Prerequisite: ANTH 109 | 1 | |
| Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | ||
| Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America | ||
| Prerequisite: ECON 103 | 1 | |
| Gender and Migration | ||
| Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 257 or ECON 258 | 1 | |
| Economic History of Women in the United States | ||
| Prerequisite: POLS 170 and second-semester sophomore status | 1 | |
| Theories of International Relations | ||
| Prerequisite: ECON 103 | 1 | |
| Political Economy of Global Resources | ||
| Global Governance (not open to first-year students) | ||
| Prerequisite: IREL majors; students should preferably have both ECON 227 and IREL 250 | 1 | |
| Globalization | ||
| Prerequisite: second-semester junior or senior status | ||
| Seminar: Topics in International Relations | ||
| Prerequisite: any sociology or anthropology course | 1 | |
| The Sociology of Developing Societies | ||
| SPAN 222 through SPAN 399 require Spanish language proficiency equivalent to SPAN 208. | 1 | |
| LAMS 319 through LAMS 499 | ||
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 | 1 |
Culminating Experience
During the senior year (or second semester of the junior year with the approval of the student’s Latin American Studies adviser), majors in Latin American Studies are required to complete one Culminating Experience course. Courses fulfilling this requirement include 300-level or higher courses with a LAMS designation or 300-level or higher courses on a Latin American topic taught by any faculty member affiliated with Latin American Studies. Within the Culminating Experience course, Latin American Studies majors will undertake a paper or a project that focuses on a Latin American topic and provides evidence of:
- application of interdisciplinary perspectives from the social sciences and humanities,
- grounding in specific theories and approaches in the field of Latin American Studies, and
- knowledge of primary informational and data base resources in the study of Latin America, thereby ensuring that majors complete coherent integrative work in the discipline of Latin American Studies. With the permission of the Latin American Studies adviser, a student who is taking an independent study or pursuing honors in Latin American Studies and who is enrolled in LAMS 319 Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America or LAMS 499 Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies may satisfy the Culminating Experience requirement through the successful completion of an Independent Study project or an Honors Thesis.
Minor in Latin American Studies
Core Requirements
Students complete the interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies when they successfully complete a minimum of five courses selected according to the following criteria and have demonstrated competency in the Spanish language at the SPAN 207 Toward Advanced Spanish level or above:
One Latin American Studies course selected from the following list:
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 1 |
| LAMS 252 | Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| LAMS 254 | Topics on Indigenous Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 285 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 295 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 320 | Interdisciplinary Non-Traditional Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 370 | Seminar on Latin America in the Global System | 1 |
| LAMS 450 | Integrative Seminar in Latin American Studies | 1 |
| LAMS 499 | Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies | 1 |
List B
One Social Science course on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list:
| ANTH 352 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| ECON 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
| ECON 319 | Economic History of Women in the United States 1 | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues 1 | 1 |
| IREL 250 | Theories of International Relations | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| IREL 350 | Globalization | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Global Restructuring) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Making Globalization Work) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Economic Transition) | 1 |
| IREL 410 | BRICS on the Global Stage | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives 1 | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 280 | Twentieth-century Afro-Caribbean and African-American Thought | 1 |
| SOCI 290 | Caribbean Society Music and Ritual | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| SOCI 312 | Globalization and Conflict | 1 |
| SOCI 354 | Development, Dictators and Diaspora | 1 |
List C
One Humanities course on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list. One course will be a course on Latin American history from the history department, and the other will be a course from the Spanish department, taught in the Spanish language, at the SPAN 222 Introduction to Latin American Literature level or above.
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (Latin America: 1945-1989) 1 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy: 1940s to Present) 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 222 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 285 | Latino Literature in the U.S. | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 323 | Latin American Short Story | 1 |
| SPAN 346 | Utopia/Dystopia in Urban Latin America | 1 |
| SPAN 348 | Gender in 20th-century Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 360 | Literature and Film of the Hispanic World 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 361 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 362 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 365 | Topics in Latin American Civilization | 1 |
| SPAN 366 | Mexican Revolution: Literature and Art | 1 |
List D
Two electives selected from the following list of courses on Latin American topics, chosen with approval of the student’s adviser in Latin American Studies:
| ANTH 352 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| ECON 253 | Gender and Migration | 1 |
| ECON 319 | Economic History of Women in the United States 1 | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| GEOG 236 | Third World Development | 1 |
| GEOG 237 | Grassroots Development: Nicaragua | 1 |
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (Latin America: 1945-1989) 1 | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 (Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy: 1940s to Present) 1 | 1 |
| IREL 200 | International Relations: Topics/Issues 1 | 1 |
| IREL 250 | Theories of International Relations | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources | 1 |
| IREL 270 | Global Governance of Climate Change | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 1 |
| IREL 350 | Globalization | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Global Restructuring) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Making Globalization Work) | 1 |
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations (Economic Transition) | 1 |
| IREL 410 | BRICS on the Global Stage | 1 |
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 1 |
| LAMS 252 | Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| LAMS 254 | Topics on Indigenous Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 285 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 295 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 297 | Colonial Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 320 | Interdisciplinary Non-Traditional Study on Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 370 | Seminar on Latin America in the Global System | 1 |
| LAMS 450 | Integrative Seminar in Latin American Studies | 1 |
| LAMS 499 | Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Third World Politics | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives 1 | 1 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
| SOCI 280 | Twentieth-century Afro-Caribbean and African-American Thought | 1 |
| SOCI 290 | Caribbean Society Music and Ritual | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| SOCI 312 | Globalization and Conflict | 1 |
| SOCI 354 | Development, Dictators and Diaspora | 1 |
| SPAN 222 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 285 | Latino Literature in the U.S. | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 323 | Latin American Short Story | 1 |
| SPAN 346 | Utopia/Dystopia in Urban Latin America | 1 |
| SPAN 348 | Gender in 20th-century Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 360 | Literature and Film of the Hispanic World 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 361 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 362 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 365 | Topics in Latin American Civilization | 1 |
| SPAN 366 | Mexican Revolution: Literature and Art | 1 |
| 1 | These courses will count toward a Latin American Studies major when the content places significant emphasis on a Latin American topic. |
Additional Courses
Additional courses with substantial Latin American content that do not appear in one of the lists above may be elected from the approved courses offered each semester under Latin American Studies (LAMS) in the current Class Schedule.
Proficiency and Competency in the Spanish Language
Competency in the fundamental skills of the Spanish language equivalent to the completion of SPAN 207 Toward Advanced Spanish is expected of Latin American Studies minors.
Prerequisites Courses
Of the courses in Lists A, B, C, and D, the following courses have prerequisites and require permission of the instructor:
| Prerequisite ANTH 109 | 1 | |
| ANTH 352 | Ritual, Resistance, and Rebellion in South America | 1 |
| Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America | ||
| Prerequisite ECON 103 | 1 | |
| Gender and Migration | ||
| Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 257 or ECON 258 | 1 | |
| Economic History of Women in the United States | ||
| Prerequisite: POLS 170 and second-semester sophomore status | 1 | |
| Theories of International Relations | ||
| Prerequisite ECON 103 | 1 | |
| Political Economy of Global Resources | ||
| Global Governance (not open to first-year students) | ||
| Prerequisite: IREL majors; students should preferably have both ECON 227 and IREL 250 | 1 | |
| Globalization | ||
| Prerequisite: second semester junior or senior status | ||
| Seminar: Topics in International Relations | ||
| Prerequisite: any sociology or anthropology course | 1 | |
| The Sociology of Developing Societies | ||
| SPAN 222 through SPAN 465 require Spanish language proficiency equivalent to SPAN 208. | 1 | |
| LAMS 319 through LAMS 499 | ||
| IREL 400 | Seminar: Topics in International Relations | 1 |
| SOCI 213 | Race in Historical and Comparative Perspectives | 1 |
| SOCI 310 | The Sociology of Developing Societies | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 | 1 |
Program Goals
- To offer a broad, interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (BA) major in Latin American Studies comprising courses from the Social Sciences and the Humanities.
- To design a BA program steeped in cross-disciplinary learning in the liberal arts tradition that provides students with critical perspectives relevant to a range of globally oriented career paths including law, policy, education, social work, and administration, among others.
- To provide international living and learning opportunities for students in Latin America via study abroad, non-traditional service-learning programs, internships, and language programs, among others.
- To contribute to the level of engagement with the region of Latin America among students not associated with the Latin American Studies program (i.e. non-majors and non-minors).
Courses
LAMS 150. Latin America: An Introduction. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to the history, cultures, and societies of Latin America.
LAMS 201. Modernization and Social Revolution in Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This class examines how technological and political processes combine focusing on the Latin American region. Crosslisted as IREL 201.
LAMS 202. Rainforests and Ecopolitics in Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
Focusing on Amazonia as a key region in global environmental politics, the course examines climate policy debates and recent shifts in global environmentalism. Crosslisted as ENST 209 and ANTH 202.
LAMS 222. Indigenous Americas: Environment, Development, and Change. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
With a focus on the region we now call Latin America, this course examines historical struggles over indigenous identity and land, and contemporary alternatives to colonial development. Crosslisted as IREL 222.
LAMS 224. Becoming Latinos. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
Explores history, racial/ethnic identities and communities, and the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of the Latin American (im)migration experience in the United States.
LAMS 245. Remaking America: Latin American Immigration. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
The processes and impacts of Latin American immigration on the U.S. and countries of origin. Special emphasis on how the immigration experience varies by ethnicity, location, and gender. Crosslisted as SOCI 245.
LAMS 250. Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Perspectives on the challenges facing Latin American peoples and nations in the 21st century. Crosslisted as ANTH 248.
LAMS 252. Ritual, Resistance, Rebellion in South America. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
The cultural and social groups inhabiting the South American west coast in historical context; implications for anthropological and social issues concerning Third World societies. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as ANTH 252.
LAMS 254. Topics on Indigenous Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Approaches to the indigenous peoples and cultures of Latin America.
LAMS 273. Latin American Economic Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course deals with historic and contemporary economic problems, starting from colonial times and reaching the present integration into world economy. Prerequisite: ECON 103. Crosslisted as ECON 273.
LAMS 285. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Selected topics on Latin America addressed through disciplinary perspectives in the social sciences and the humanities.
LAMS 288. Global Cuisines, Local Contexts: Commensality and Conflict. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:3
We will consider how food both brings people together, and creates divisions between them, through an in-depth examination of the cases of French and Andean (South American) cuisines. Cuisine will be considered through aesthetic, cultural, and economic lenses as a mirror into larger social worlds. Crosslisted as ANTH 288 and UNIV 288 and FREN 288.
LAMS 292. Service-Learning in Nicaragua. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
This course focuses on the connections between Nicaraguan development processes and Brigade-based service-learning. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as IREL 292 and GEOG 292.
LAMS 295. Modern Latin America. 1 Credit.
Lecture hours:3
This course traces and analyzes major developments in Latin American politics, society and culture from 1800 to the present. Crosslisted as HIST 282.
LAMS 296. Topics in Latin American Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:3
Topics in Latin American history: pre-Columbian to the present.
LAMS 297. Colonial Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Latin American history from pre-Columbian cultures to wars for independence.
LAMS 2NT. Latin American Studies Non-traditional Study. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3
Non-traditional studies in a Latin American Studies topic. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
LAMS 319. Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Individual research with a member of the Latin American Studies faculty. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
LAMS 320. Interdisciplinary Non-Traditional Study on Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Student-initiated academic study of a Latin American topic in conjunction with service learning, research, or internship initiatives. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
LAMS 370. Seminar on Latin America in the Global System. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
In-depth study of Latin America in relation to other world regions. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
LAMS 3NT. Latin American Studies Non-traditional Study. 1-4 Credits.
Offered Fall, Spring, Summer; Lecture hours:Varies
Non-traditional study course in the Latin American Studies program. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
LAMS 450. Integrative Seminar in Latin American Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3; Repeatable
Integrative topics. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
LAMS 499. Interdisciplinary Honors in Latin American Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:Varies,Other:3; Repeatable
Supervised individual work on a topic approved by the thesis adviser in Latin American Studies. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
Faculty
Director: Fernando Blanco
Assistant Professor: David M. Rojas
Affiliated Faculty: Nicholas Jones (Spanish), Linden F. Lewis (Sociology), Jason Aaron McCloskey (Spanish), Jasmine A. Mena (Psychology), Emma Gaalaas Mullaney (International Relations), Ana M. Patiño (Spanish), Matías Vernengo (Economics)
Coordinating Committee: Elizabeth Durden (Sociology), Elisabeth Guerrero (Spanish), R. Douglas Hecock (Political Science), David M. Rojas (Latin American Studies), Clare Sammells (Anthropology), William Michael Schmidli (History), Paul H. Susman (Geography), Peter R. Wilshusen (Environmental Studies)