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 21 faculty from 11 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 about 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 a non-English language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean, 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 a non-English language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean.
- 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 & 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 & 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 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:
| Interdisciplinary Independent Study on Latin America |
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 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 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 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 |
List C
Two social science courses on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list:
| ANTH 328 | Feeding Latin America | 1 |
| 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 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 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 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
List D
Two humanities courses on Latin American topics from different departments or programs selected from the following list:
| 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 360 | Literature and Film of the Hispanic World 1 | 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 and D, or from the list below:
| LAMS 218 | Latina Feminisms in US | 1 |
| LAMS 288 | Global Cuisines, Local Contexts: Commensality and Conflict | 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 LAMS 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 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 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 250 | Latin America: Challenges for the 21st Century | 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 Lantix 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 |
List C
One social science course on Latin American topics selected from the following list:
| ANTH 328 | Feeding Latin America | 1 |
| 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 |
| IREL 285 | The International Relations of Latin America in the 21st Century | 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 |
| SOCI 245 | Remaking America: Latin American Immigration | 1 |
List D
One humanities course on Latin American topics selected from the following list:
| 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 360 | Literature and Film of the Hispanic World 1 | 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 and D, or the following additional courses on Latin American topics:
| LAMS 218 | Latina Feminisms in US | 1 |
| LAMS 288 | Global Cuisines, Local Contexts: Commensality and Conflict | 1 |
- 1
These courses will count toward a Latin American studies major when the content places significant emphasis on a Latin American topic.
- 2
This class has reserved seats for LAMS 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 under Latin American Studies (LAMS) in the current Class Schedule.
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 | ||
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
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 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 224. Becoming Latino/a(s). 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 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 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 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 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 286. Latinx Literature in the U.S.. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
Taught in English. This course focuses on issues of cultural identity within the literary and some film production of Latinx peoples living in the U.S. Crosslisted as SPAN 285.
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 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
Director: Fernando Blanco (Spanish)
Associate Professor: David M. Rojas
Assistant Professor: Aisha Cort
Affiliated Faculty: Emma L. Banks (International Relations), Paul Barba (History), 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