Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean Studies Program
Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean Studies Program
Explore how diverse, vibrant communities shape worlds of encounters and collaborations. Established in 1975 as one of the first degree programs in the U.S. to focus on Latin America, our program now embraces the broader cultural, historical and social ties that connect communities in Latin America, Caribbean and Latinx diasporas.
As a student in the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program at Bucknell, you'll chart your own course of discovery and research under the guidance of faculty from the social sciences, humanities and arts departments.
Gaining such interdisciplinary knowledge will help you develop skills and insights that are sought in a wide range of careers, professional schools and graduate studies. You can also engage with these critical questions alongside another discipline through a double major or minor.
As a student in the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program, you are strongly encouraged to travel or study abroad in the region. You will also have the opportunity to conduct independent research projects with our faculty members.
Mission Statement
Drawing on disciplines from the humanities, social sciences and the arts, the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program takes an interdisciplinary approach to examining the complex experiences of peoples across these regions and their diasporas.
Students in the program engage with faculty who specialize in areas such as migration, colonialism, racism, economic justice, LGBTQ+ movements, climate crises, and the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights throughout the Americas. Our courses emphasize the transnational and intersectional dimensions of these issues, critically analyzing how the histories and futures of Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinx populations in the U.S. are intertwined.
By fostering a deeper understanding of these interconnected cultures and communities, the program equips students with the skills to navigate global issues, inter-American relations, and shifting realities within the U.S. It also provides opportunities for linguistic and cultural proficiency in a regional language— including but not limited to French, Kreyòl, Portuguese, Quechua, Spanish — preparing graduates for careers in public, private, and nonprofit sectors that seek informed and culturally aware global citizens.
Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean Studies Program Learning objectives
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Apply a social science perspective to understand historical and contemporary theories, issues and processes that inform the study of Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinx communities.
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Apply a humanistic perspective to understand historical and contemporary theories, issues and processes that inform the study of Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinx communities.
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Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, speaking and writing a regional language —including but not limited to French, Kreyòl, Portuguese, Quechua, Spanish.
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Communicate integrated disciplinary perspectives through written and oral argument on complex issues and processes related to Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinx communities.
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Design and conduct independent, original research that contributes to the understanding of historical and contemporary concepts, issues or processes focused on Latin America, the Caribbean and Latinx populations.
Major/Minor
These various topics and objectives, combined with expanded understanding of international issues, increased appreciation for inter-American and global relations, and extensive study of a non-English language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean, bring depth and sophistication to the majors and minors in the Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean studies program.
• Both a major and a minor are offered by the Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean studies program.
• Majors and minors are expected to become proficient in a non-English language spoken in Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program.
Study Abroad in Latin American and the Caribbean
Students in the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program are strongly encouraged to plan a semester, a year or a summer of study in Latin America and/or the Caribbean. Latin American studies minors are encouraged to spend a semester or a summer of study in Latin America and/or the Caribbean. When students elect the Latin American studies major, they should consult with their adviser, with the director of the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program, and with the Office of Global & Off-campus Education (OGOE) regarding suitable foreign study opportunities. Exceptions to the Bucknell-approved study abroad programs must be approved by the director of the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program and the Office of Global & Off-campus Education (OGOE).
Service-learning Experience
Majors and minors are encouraged to participate in one or more service-learning experiences in Latin America or with Latin American roots in the United States.
Student-faculty Research
Majors and minors are encouraged to approach individual faculty members in the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program to seek opportunities to participate in faculty-initiated research in Latin America or involving Latin Americans roots in the United States.
Honors Thesis in Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean Studies Program
The Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program strongly encourages qualified majors to consider working for interdisciplinary honors. During their junior year, such students should consult with one or more members of the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program 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, Latinx & Caribbean studies will enroll for:
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
Further information about the honors program can be obtained from the academic adviser, from the director of Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program 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 a non-English language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean, as described below.
List A
Two Latin American studies courses selected from the following list:
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 202 | Rainforests and Eco-Politics in Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 260 | Blackness & Diaspora in the Global South: Afrolatinidades in Diaspora | 1 |
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
List B
At least one of the courses to complete the major must address the experiences of Latinx populations in the US.
| LAMS 160 | Ni de aquí, ni de allá: Latinx Peoples in US | 1 |
| LAMS 203 | Identity, Politics, Nation | 1 |
| LAMS 204 | Racism(s) Across the Americas | 1 |
| LAMS 270 | Race-ing Latinidad in US: Dialogues of Blackness & Latinidad | 1 |
| LAMS 272 | Latina Girlhood: Coming of Age | 1 |
List C
Two social science courses on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list:
| ECON 273 | Latin American Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON 319 | Economic History of Women in the United States 1 | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| IREL 201 | Modernization and Social Revolution in Latin America | 1 |
| IREL 227 | Latin American Politics and Development | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Politics of the Developing World | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| PSYC 374 | Latinx Psychology | 1 |
List D
Two humanities courses on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list:
| CBST/LAMS 206 | Black Film in Latin America | 1 |
| CBST 222 | Caribbean Literature | 1 |
| ENLS 213 | Special Topics in American Literature ("Beyond Rum and Revolution") | 1 |
| ENLS 214 | US Latino/a Literature | 1 |
| ENLS 217 | Studies in Dramatic Literature ("Margins to Mainstream: US Latino/a Theater and Film") | 1 |
| HIST 258 | Topics in Women's and Gender History 2 | 1 |
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 1 | 1 |
| PHIL 264 | Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Philosophy | 1 |
| SPAN 222 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 285 | Latinx Literature in the U.S. | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 323 | Latin American Short Story | 1 |
| SPAN 361 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 362 | Topics in Latin American Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 364 | Topics in Spanish Civilization (Black Africans in the Hispanic Black Atlantic) 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 365 | Topics in Latin American Civilization | 1 |
List E
One elective course selected from courses in Lists A, B, C or D, or listed below:
| LAMS 218 | Latina Feminisms in US | 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.
- 2
This class has reserved seats for Latin American studies major and minors.
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.
Language Proficiency & Competency
Latin American studies majors are required to demonstrate proficiency in any of the non-English languages spoken in Latin America and the Caribbean. Students fulfill this requirement by successfully completing at least one course taught in the Spanish or French language at the 207 level or above at Bucknell, or through a language assessment of any relevant language conducted by a faculty member. The requirement also could be satisfied by a semester abroad, preapproved by the department/program head.
Prerequisites Courses
Of the courses in Lists A, B, C and D, the following courses have prerequisites or require permission from the instructor:
| Economic History of Women in the United States | ||
| Prerequisites: ECON 256 or ECON 203 or ECON 204 | 1 | |
| Theories of International Relations | ||
| Prerequisite: POLS 170 | 1 | |
| Political Economy of Global Resources | ||
| Prerequisite: ECON 103 | 1 | |
| Globalization | ||
| IREL majors; ECON 127 and IREL 250 preferred | ||
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, Latinx & Caribbean studies. Within the Culminating Experience course, LAMS 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 database 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, 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 a non-English language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean.
List A
One Latin American studies course selected from the following list:
| LAMS 150 | Latin America: An Introduction | 1 |
| LAMS 202 | Rainforests and Eco-Politics in Latin America | 1 |
| LAMS 260 | Blackness & Diaspora in the Global South: Afrolatinidades in Diaspora | 1 |
| LAMS 319 | Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America | 1 |
List B
At least one of the courses to complete the minor must address the experiences of Latinx populations in the U.S.
| LAMS 160 | Ni de aquí, ni de allá: Latinx Peoples in US | 1 |
| LAMS 203 | Identity, Politics, Nation | 1 |
| LAMS 204 | Racism(s) Across the Americas | 1 |
| LAMS 270 | Race-ing Latinidad in US: Dialogues of Blackness & Latinidad | 1 |
| LAMS 272 | Latina Girlhood: Coming of Age | 1 |
List C
One social science course on Latin American topics selected from the following list:
| ECON 273 | Latin American Economic Development | 1 |
| ECON 319 | Economic History of Women in the United States 1 | 1 |
| ENST 325 | Nature, Wealth and Power | 1 |
| IREL 201 | Modernization and Social Revolution in Latin America | 1 |
| IREL 227 | Latin American Politics and Development | 1 |
| IREL 252 | Political Economy of Global Resources | 1 |
| IREL 275 | Global Governance | 1 |
| POLS 211 | Politics of the Developing World | 1 |
| POLS 219 | Latin American Politics | 1 |
| POLS 352 | Politics of Economic Development | 1 |
| PSYC 374 | Latinx Psychology | 1 |
List D
One humanities course on Latin American topics selected from the following list:
| CBST/LAMS 206 | Black Film in Latin America | 1 |
| CBST 222 | Caribbean Literature | 1 |
| ENLS 213 | Special Topics in American Literature ("Beyond Rum and Revolution") | 1 |
| ENLS 214 | US Latino/a Literature | 1 |
| ENLS 217 | Studies in Dramatic Literature | 1 |
| HIST 258 | Topics in Women's and Gender History 2 | 1 |
| HIST 282 | Modern Latin America | 1 |
| HIST 311 | U.S. History since 1865 | 1 |
| PHIL 264 | Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Philosophy | 1 |
| SPAN 222 | Introduction to Latin American Literature | 1 |
| SPAN 264 | Hispanic Topics 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 280 | Latin American Cultural Traditions | 1 |
| SPAN 285 | Latinx Literature in the U.S. | 1 |
| SPAN 295 | Topics in Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 323 | Latin American Short Story | 1 |
| SPAN 361 | Topics in Hispanic Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 362 | Topics in Latin American Literature 1 | 1 |
| SPAN 364 | Topics in Spanish Civilization (Black Africans in the Hispanic Black Atlantic) | 1 |
| SPAN 365 | Topics in Latin American Civilization | 1 |
List E
One elective selected from among any courses in Lists A, B, C or D, or the following additional courses on Latin American topics:
| LAMS 218 | Latina Feminisms in US | 1 |
- 1
These courses will count toward a Latin American studies minor when the content places significant emphasis on a Latin American topic.
- 2
This class has reserved seats for Latin American studies majors and minors.
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 by the Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies program.
Language Proficiency & Competency
Competency in the fundamental skills of a non-English language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean 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 from the instructor:
| Economic History of Women in the United States | ||
| Prerequisites: ECON 203 or ECON 204 | ||
| Theories of International Relations | ||
| Prerequisite: POLS 170 | ||
| Political Economy of Global Resources | ||
| Prerequisite: ECON 101 | ||
| Globalization | ||
| Prerequisite: IREL majors; ECON 227 and IREL 250 preferred | ||
Courses
LAMS 150. Latin America: An Introduction. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course examines the variety of modes of living that thrive in what we call Latin America. Understanding such diversity makes it possible to consider how much is life in the United States connected to the past and present of Latin American peoples.
LAMS 160. Ni de aquí, ni de allá: Latinx Peoples in US. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the Latinx population in the United States. We will approach the subject through literature, film, music, academic articles and direct contact with Latinx peoples.
LAMS 202. Rainforests and Eco-Politics in Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3
We study how business interests, scientists, and indigenous peoples think and engage with rainforests in radically different ways. Attentive to these differences, the course explores how rainforests are being destroyed by some groups and protected by others. Crosslisted as ANTH 202 and ENST 209.
LAMS 203. Identity, Politics, Nation. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
We examine how the notion of race plays a role in political debates that revolve around the issue of "national identity" in the US. We focus on how Black and Brown intellectuals and activists who challenge the notion that, at its core, the US is a white nation.
LAMS 204. Racism(s) Across the Americas. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
We explore how the idea of the Americas as a “new world” of discovery and wonder was (and is) entangled with racialized systems of domination. Looking into anti-racist ideas and actions today, the course critically explores the shared histories and common futures of diverse peoples across the Americas. Crosslisted as CBST 204.
LAMS 205. Violence, Conflict and Peace in Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Explores the historical and contemporary causes of political, structural, and systematic forms of violence in Latin America. Crosslisted as ANTH 205 and IREL 205.
LAMS 206. Black film in Latin America. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
In this course, we will investigate the historical and intellectual grounds of films by and about Black people in Latin America. Crosslisted as CBST 206.
LAMS 208. Global Indigenous Politics and Law. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Explores Indigenous people’s historical and contemporary struggles for recognition and respect with an emphasis on Indigenous groups in Latin America and global governance. Crosslisted as ANTH 208 and IREL 208.
LAMS 209. Cuba and the Global South. 1 Credit.
Offered Summer Session Only; Lecture hours:3
This course interrogates Cuba's positioning in the Global South as an inspiration for revolutionary movements of the mid-20th century. This interdisciplinary survey of history and narrative modes of film, literature, music, and popular culture discusses the formation and operation of "Cubanía", external foreign policy, and internal repression and censure under the constraints of the tenets of the Cuban Revolution.
LAMS 218. Latina Feminisms in US. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
This course examines the various experiences, perspectives and expressions of Latinas in the United States, which vary according to gender, sexuality, race, citizenship, region and language. Crosslisted as GEOG 208 and WMST 218.
LAMS 227. Caribbean Literature. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall, Spring or Summer; Lecture hours:3
Introduction to selected literatures, cultures and histories of the Caribbean, with close analysis of text and context. When taught in the summer, the course is the core of the Bucknell in the Caribbean summer study abroad program. Crosslisted as CBST 222 and ENLS 227.
LAMS 230. Arts of Extraction: Hemispheric Representations of Ecological Injustice. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Explore the social and environmental histories of capitalism in Latin America and the US through literary, filmic and photographic representations of resource extraction. Environmental collapse is imminent, but many can't see it. Can the arts help us see our world differently so that we might forestall its worst effects? Crosslisted as HUMN 230.
LAMS 260. Blackness & Diaspora in the Global South: Afrolatinidades in Diaspora. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Afro-Latinx identity challenges the notion that Blackness and Whiteness are THE two political categories of race. In this course we will interrogate Afro-Latinidad via an interdisciplinary survey of history and narrative modes of film, literature, music and popular culture. Crosslisted as CBST 260.
LAMS 264. Latin American, Latinx and Caribbean Philosophy. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
This course will focus on major figures and issues within philosophy in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Latinx U.S., with an emphasis on the connection between identity-formation and politics. Crosslisted as PHIL 264.
LAMS 270. Race-ing Latinidad in US: Dialogues of Blackness & Latinidad. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
An interdisciplinary study of the competing definitions of the relationship between Blackness and Latinidad in US culture. We will approach the subject through literature, film and music, through academic articles from various disciplines and through direct contact with the local Latinx population. Crosslisted as CBST 270.
LAMS 272. Latina Girlhood: Coming of Age. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Latina girls make up more than one in five girls aged 5–17 and increasing. Despite this increasing demographic, the level of inclusion of Latina girls in academic scholarship and traditional media remains low. This course focuses on representations of Latina in the U.S. through the lens of girlhood/coming of age. Crosslisted as WMST 272.
LAMS 273. Latin American Economic Development. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or 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. Crosslisted as ECON 273 and IREL 278.
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 311. Globalization, Technology and Cultural Change. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Examination of the impact of the processes of global restructuring and the technological revolution on people, culture and society. This class will focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. Crosslisted as SOCI 311.
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 374. Latinx Psychology. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
A seminar that examines the psychological research literature related to Latinxs in the U.S. It considers the influences of Latinx cultural values, practices, contexts and experiences on physical and mental health outcomes. Open to juniors & seniors only or by permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as PSYC 374 and PSYC 674.
Faculty
Associate Professor: David M. Rojas (Director)
Assistant Professor: Aisha Cort
Affiliated Faculty: Emma L. Banks (International Relations), Paul Barba (History), Fernando Blanco (Spanish), Adam Burgos (Philosophy), Raphael Dalleo (English), Elizabeth Durden (Sociology), Elisabeth Guerrero (Spanish), R. Douglas Hecock (Political Science), Manuel Larrabure (International Relations), Stephan Lefebvre (Economics), Daniel Bret Leraul (Comparative & Digital Humanities), Eddy A. López (Art & Art History), Elena Machado Sáez (English), Jason Aaron McCloskey (Spanish), Jasmine A. Mena (Psychology), Cassie Osei (History), Ana M. Patiño (Spanish), Apollonya Maria Porcelli (Sociology & Anthropology), Nathan C. Ryan (Mathematics), Clare Sammells (Anthropology), Hiram L. Smith (Spanish), Matías Vernengo (Economics), Peter R. Wilshusen (Environmental Studies & Sciences)
Adjunct: Elena Perez-Zetune