Latin American Studies (LTAM)
Director: Associate Professor Jerome M. Levi
Committee Members: Becky J. Boling, Jorge Brioso, José Cerna-Bazán, María E. Doleman, Andrew B. Fisher, Silvia L. López, Alfred P. Montero, Beverly Nagel, Diane Pearsall
The Latin American Studies Program provides a framework for studying the diverse societies of Latin America. With its cultural mosaic shaped by the meeting of Native American, European, African, and Asian peoples, and its profound geographic, social, and economic variations, Latin America presents rich opportunities for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study. By drawing upon the perspectives and methodologies of several disciplines, students are challenged to pursue a deeper understanding of the cultures, institutions, and experiences of Latin Americans. The program provides a forum for examining the intersection of issues of politics, economic development, ethnicity, gender, religion, and cultural expression.
Requirements for a Major:
Students complete a minimum of sixty-six credits in approved courses for the major. Majors must also demonstrate competence in Spanish by completing Spanish 205 or equivalent.
Required Courses: (The following core courses are required of all majors):
HIST 170 Modern Latin America, 1810-present
LTAM 200 Issues in Latin American Studies
LTAM 400 Integrative Exercise
In addition, majors are required to complete: Two 300-level Latin American literature courses, One 300-level History or Social Science course focused on Latin America, and 30 additional credits of electives from the list below.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete the 300-level history or social science course prior to writing their integrative exercise, and to select a 300-level course in a discipline appropriate to the focus of their anticipated comps topic. Students who complete this requirement with a 300-level history course must take at least one approved social science course as an elective.
Up to 27 credits from work in approved off-campus programs may be counted as electives for the major. Students may count up to 12 credits in comparative and/or U.S. Latino courses as electives. These courses are indicated by an asterisk on the list below. No more than four courses (twenty-four credits) in any one discipline may apply to the major.
Latin American Studies Courses
LTAM 200. Issues in Latin American Studies This required course for Latin American Studies concentrators and majors explores issues pertinent to the study of Latin America, including an examination of what constitutes Latin American area studies and Latin America itself, the history of the field, the perception in and outside of academia, the way such perceptions shape public policy, the contributions of Latin America to the arts, culture, economics, and the changing nature of Latin American Studies in the face of globalization. Designed by the faculty in Latin American Studies, the course will include regular guest lectures from among these faculty. Prerequisite: History 170. 6 credits cr., ND, Spring—S. López
LTAM 398. Latin American Forum This colloquium will explore specific issues or works in Latin American Studies through discussion of a common reading, public presentation, project, and/or performance. Students will be required to attend several meetings throughout the term, culminating in a forum with program faculty to discuss the common reading or other material. A short integrative essay or report will be required at the end of the term. Intended as capstone for senior Latin American Studies concentrators. 2 credits cr., S/CR/NC, ND, Fall—Staff
LTAM 400. Integrative Exercise Satisfactory completion of the major includes the writing of a thesis which attempts to integrate at least two of the various disciplines studied. A proposal must be submitted for approval early in the fall term of the senior year. The thesis in its final form is due no later than the end of the first week of spring term. An oral defense of the thesis is required. 6 credits cr., S/NC, ND, Fall,Winter,Spring—Staff
Other Courses Pertinent to Latin American Studies:
ECON 240 Economics of Developing Countries*
HIST 169 Colonial Latin America, 1492-1810
HIST 170 Modern Latin America 1810-Present
HIST 172 Introduction to Andean Social History
HIST 272 The Emergence of Modern Mexico
HIST 276 African Slavery in Latin America from the Middle Passage to Abolition (not offered in 2004-2005)
HIST 278 Religion and Identity in Latin American History
MUSC 243 Music of the Caribbean (not offered in 2004-2005)
POSC 221 Latin American Politics
POSC 233 The Global Resurgence of Democracy*
POSC 322 Political Economy of Latin America (not offered in 2004-2005)
POSC 331 Urban Politics in Latin America (not offered in 2004-2005)
POSC 386 Comparing Mexico and China* (not offered in 2004-2005)
RELG 227 Liberation Theologies* (not offered in 2004-2005)
SOAN 130 Population and Food in the Global System* (not offered in 2004-2005)
SOAN 234 Ecology, Economy, and Culture*
SOAN 250 Ethnography of Latin America
SOAN 251 Community Development, Cultural Empowerment and Social Change in Guatemala (not offered in 2004-2005)
SOAN 259 Comparative Issues in Native North America*
SOAN 302 Anthropology and Indigenous Rights* (not offered in 2004-2005)
SOAN 312 Actors and Issues in Contemporary Third World "Development"* (not offered in 2004-2005)
SOAN 395 Idioms of Inequality: Ethnicity, Gender, and Exchange in Latin America
SPAN 207 Exploring Hispanic Culture (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 242 Introduction to Latin American Literature
SPAN 245 Hybrid Culture: Introduction to U.S. Latino Literature (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 246 Morelia Program: Introduction to Mexican Literature: Mexican Short Story (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 248 Morelia Program: Drama and Performance in Latin America
SPAN 252 Telling Stories: The Short Story in Latin American (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 255 Women Dramatists in Latin America: Staging Conflicts (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 260 Topics in Hispanic Literature: Forces of Nature* (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 326 Writers in Exile (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 334 Texts and Nations: Nineteenth Century Latin America (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 336 Genealogies of the Modern: Turn of the Century Latin America
SPAN 338 Spanish Images of the Indian in Spanish American Literature (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 340 Latin American Prose: Dictatorships and Revolution in the Latin American Narrative (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 344 Women Writers in Latin America: Challenging Gender and Genre (not offered in 2004-2005)
SPAN 348 New Trends in Latin American Poetry 1950-2000
SPAN 350 Recent Trends in Latin American Narrative: Pop Culture and Testimony
SPAN 360 Topics in Hispanic Literature: Difference, Identity and Representation in Latin America (not offered in 2004-2005)