2019-2020 University Catalog archived
Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS)
|
|
|
|
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program examines the components of Latin American and Caribbean societies that arguably serve as the basis of a common identity as well as those that reveal diversity within the Americas. The interdisciplinary curriculum combines coursework in the fields of art history, business, economics, history, politics, languages and literature, and sociology and anthropology in an effort to demonstrate how the region has been shaped by the meeting of American Indian, African, European, and other peoples.
Students begin with a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the region and work towards interdisciplinary synthesis and analysis. In addition to standing coursework on campus, the program stresses the importance of experiential learning through opportunities provided by study abroad, internships, service-learning, and individual research. The program also engenders a lively research community on campus and hosts colloquia, conferences, speakers, films, and related activities in the Casa Hispánica. Students who complete the program are well prepared to interpret contemporary issues related to the region, and they possess expertise suited for careers in health professions, education, social work, governmental organizations, specialized non-profit organizations, international commerce, journalism, and law, as well as graduate work in Latin American Studies and related disciplines.
More than an area studies about a singular region, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program explores the Americas in the broader sense. To understand today’s Western Hemisphere students must make interdisciplinary connections that transcend political borders. From Canada to Chile and Bermuda to Brazil, our curriculum focuses on the unique experiences that define the Americas.
The Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers a minor and complements several majors in a meaningful way, including those in Spanish, history, politics, sociology and anthropology, and economics, among others. Students who complete the minor gain the background necessary for careers in teaching, bilingual education, social work, government or international organizations, business, journalism, and specialized nonprofit organizations, and/or for graduate work in Latin American Studies and related disciplines.
Program Head: Mónica B. Botta
Core Faculty
First date is the year in which the faculty member began service as regular faculty at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.
Jeffrey C. Barnett, Ph.D.—(1989)-2007
S. Blount Mason Jr. Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Mónica Beatriz Botta, Ph.D.—(2006)-2012
Associate Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Jonathan Eastwood, Ph.D.—(2006)-2010
Laurent Boetsch Term Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., Boston University
Robert Matthew Gildner, Ph.D.—(2012)-2012
Assistant Professor of History
Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin
Andrea Lepage, Ph.D.—(2008)-2014
Associate Professor of Art History
Ph.D., Brown University
Ellen C. Mayock, Ph.D.—(1997)-2008
Ernest Williams II Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., University of Texas
Seth R. Michelson, Ph.D.—(2014)-2014
Assistant Professor of Spanish
Ph.D., University of Southern California
Marcos Emilio Pérez, Ph.D.—(2018)-2018
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
Zoila Ponce de Leon, Ph.D.—(2018)-2018
Assistant Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Courses relevant to the Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies are as follows:
The following courses may also meet program requirements, when the topic is appropriate:
Interdisciplinary Minor
LACS 101 - Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies
FDR: HU
Credits: 3
A multidisciplinary, introductory course designed to familiarize students with the pertinent issues that determine or affect the concept of identity in Latin American and Caribbean societies through a study of their geography, history, politics, economics, literature, and culture. The purpose of the course is to provide a framework or overview to enhance understanding in the students’ future courses in particular disciplines and specific areas of Latin American and Caribbean study. Staff.
LACS 180 - FS: First-Year Seminar
Credits: 3
First-year seminar. Prerequisite: First-year standing. .
LACS 195 - Special Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
FDR: FDR designation varies with topic, as approved in advance.
Credits: 3
A topical seminar that focuses on an interdisciplinary examination of a singular theme relevant to the overall understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean region, such as Hispanic Feminisms, the Indigenous Americas, or Shifting Borders, among others. As an introductory seminar, topics are selected with the purpose in mind to present the student with a broad, regional view within the scope of a restricted focus or medium. Staff.
LACS 256 - Trans-American Identity: Images from the Americas
(LIT 256) FDR: HL
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Completion of FW requirement. Counts toward the literature distribution requirement for the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program. A multi-genre survey of representative literary works from the Americas, defined as those regions that encompass Latin American and Caribbean cultures. In particular the course uses an interdisciplinary approach to show how exemplary artists from the region have crafted images to interpret and represent their American reality. Selected narrative, film, and poetic works by Spanish-American (Neruda, Garcia Marquez, Rulfo, and Carpentier), Francophone (Danticat), Lusophone (Amado), and Anglophone authors (Walcott, Brathwaite, and Naipaul), among others. Staff.
LACS 257 - Multiculturalism in Latin America: The Case of Brazil
FDR: HL
Credits: 4
This seminar studies Brazil as an example of a multicultural society. Students examine the meaning of multiculturalism and related concepts of identity, heterogeneity, and Eurocentrism, not only in regard to the Brazilian context, but also, comparatively, to that of US culture. The course focuses on the social dynamics that have engaged Brazilians of different backgrounds, marked by differences of gender, ethnicity, and class, and on how multiculturalism and the ensuing conflicts have continuously shaped and reshaped individual subjectivities and national identity. Some of the key issues to be addressed in class are: Brazil’s ethnic formation; myths of national identity; class and racial relations; and women in Brazilian society. Readings for the class include novels, short stories, poetry, and testimonial/diary Pinto-Bailey.
LACS 396 - Capstone Seminar in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Declaration and completion of all other minor requirements or instructor consent. This capstone course builds upon the foundations developed in LACS 101 and related coursework in the distribution areas. Students discuss assigned readings centered around a key theme or themes of Latin American Studies in connection with an individualized research project. This project is carried out with continual mentoring by a faculty member and in collaboration with peer feedback. Each student presents his/her findings in a formal paper, or other approved end-product, and summarizes the results in an oral presentation. Staff.
LACS 421 - Interdisciplinary Research
Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, and consent of the instructor. Independent research into a topic centered within Latin America or the Caribbean, directed by two or more faculty representing at least two disciplines. Students are expected to share their work with the public through a public presentation. Staff.
LACS 422 - Interdisciplinary Research
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, and consent of the instructor. Independent research into a topic centered within Latin America or the Caribbean, directed by two or more faculty representing at least two disciplines. Students are expected to share their work with the public through a public presentation. Staff.
LACS 423 - Interdisciplinary Research
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, and consent of the instructor. Independent research into a topic centered within Latin America or the Caribbean, directed by two or more faculty representing at least two disciplines. Students are expected to share their work with the public through a public presentation. Staff.
LACS 451 - LACS Practicum
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 1
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: At least three credits from LACS-designated coursework; one course chosen from FREN 162, FREN 164, PORT 163, SPAN 162, SPAN 164, or equivalent; and instructor consent. Supervised experience in a Latin American or Caribbean setting (including domestic U.S.), such as an agency, research organization, or other venue that offers insight into Latin American and Caribbean issues. Requires at least 16 work hours over no fewer than four weeks and a research report in addition to the off-campus activities. May be carried out during the summer. May be repeated for credit when the setting is different. Offered when interest is expressed and LACS faculty can accommodate.
LACS 452 - LACS Practicum
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 2
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: At least three credits from LACS-designated coursework; one course chosen from FREN 162, FREN 164, PORT 163, SPAN 162, SPAN 164, or equivalent; and instructor consent. Supervised experience in a Latin American or Caribbean setting (including domestic U.S.), such as an agency, research organization, or other venue that offers insight into Latin American and Caribbean issues. Requires at least 32 work hours over no fewer than four weeks and a research report in addition to the off-campus activities. May be carried out during the summer. Offered when interest is expressed and LACS faculty can accommodate.
LACS 453 - LACS Fieldwork
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 3
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: LACS 101; one course chosen from FREN 162, FREN 164, PORT 163, SPAN 162, SPAN 164, or equivalent; and instructor consent. Supervised experience in a Latin American or Caribbean setting (including domestic U.S.), such as an agency, research organization, or other venue that offers insight into Latin American and Caribbean issues. Requires at least 48 work hours over no fewer than six weeks and a research report in addition to the off-campus activities. May be carried out during the summer. Offered when interest is expressed and LACS faculty can accommodate.
LACS 454 - LACS Fieldwork
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 4
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: LACS 101; one course chosen from FREN 162, FREN 164, PORT 163, SPAN 162, SPAN 164, or equivalent; and instructor consent. Supervised experience in a Latin American or Caribbean setting (including domestic U.S.), such as an agency, research organization, or other venue that offers insight into Latin American and Caribbean issues. Requires at least 64 work hours over no fewer than eight weeks and a research report in addition to the off-campus activities. May be carried out during the summer. Offered when interest is expressed and LACS faculty can accommodate.
|
Print this Page