Maria Tapias (Anthropology), Chair

In this concentration, students examine Latin American cultures and societies, with work in at least two disciplines: humanities and social sciences. Participation in a study program in Latin America is encouraged (see Off-Campus Study). A student choosing the senior research project will be expected to integrate the various components of his or her program in the analysis of a topic of special interest.

Required, 24 credits as follows:

1. Gateway course, 4 credits:
• Latin American Studies 111 Introduction to Latin American Studies
2. Latin American core courses, 8 credits chosen from:
• Anthropology 257 Latin American Cultures
• Anthropology 267 Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas
• History 201 Colonial Latin America
• History 202 Modern Latin America
• History 204 Radical Movements in 20th-Century Latin America
• History 32x Advanced Studies in Latin America and the United States (only on a Latin American topic)
• Political Science 261 State and Society in Latin America
• Spanish 311 Traditions of Independent Spanish America
• Spanish 315 Creativity and Dissidence in Modern Spanish America
• Spanish 377 Modernization and Innovation in Contemporary Spanish America
• Spanish 383 The Spanish American Colonial World
3. Elective courses, 8 credits chosen from:
1. Courses listed under number 2 above
2. Courses with Latin American content:
• Anthropology 238 Cultural and Political Ecology
• Economics 230 Economic Development
• Economics 233 International Economics
• Economics 372 Seminar in Economic Development
• Economics 374 Seminar in International Trade
• Economics 375 Seminar in International Finance
• Environmental Studies 495 Senior Seminar on Environmental Studies (only on a Latin American topic)
• Global Development Studies 34x Senior Seminar in Global Development Studies (only on a Latin American topic)
• Political Science 354 Political Economy of Developing Countries
• Sociology 220 Sociology of Global Development
• Sociology 280 Bound by Borders: A Sociology of Law and Migration
• Sociology 370 Members Only: A Political Sociology of Citizenship
3. Off-campus study, up to 8 approved credits taken in LAS-designated off-campus programs: Argentina (FLACSO-Buenos Aires), Chile (CIEE Santiago de Chile and Valparaiso; IES Santiago de Chile), Costa Rica (ACM-Studies in LA Culture and Society, and ACM Tropical Field Research; Duke University-Organization for Tropical Studies; ICADS), Ecuador (IES-Quito Minnesota Studies in International Development), or Mexico (Rutgers U-Mérida); and
4. With the approval of the concentration, courses not included above that deal significantly with Latin America.
4. Research project, 4 credits. Students may choose one of the following two options for the fulfillment of this requirement:
1. Senior Research
   Declaration of the intention to complete a senior research project will occur no later than the second semester of the junior year. The project should integrate previous coursework in the concentration and should rely significantly on sources in Spanish if the topic pertains to a Spanish-speaking country. A proposal stating the research questions and describing a methodology must be submitted to and approved by the concentration in the fall semester of the senior year. Fall semester enrollment is allowed if the proposal is approved in the second semester of the third year.
2. Senior Paper
   Students may choose to complete a research paper while enrolled as a senior in an approved 300- or 400-level course from the following:
• Economics 372 Seminar in Economic Development
• Economics 374 Seminar in International Trade
• Economics 375 Seminar in International Finance
• Environmental Studies 495 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies (only on a Latin American topic)
• Global Development Studies 34x Senior Seminar in Global Development Studies (only on a Latin American topic)
• History 32x Advanced Studies in Latin America and the United States only on a Latin American topic)
• Political Science 354 Political Economy of Developing Countries
• Spanish 377 Modernization and Innovation in Contemporary Spanish America
• Spanish 383 The Spanish American Colonial World

With the approval of the concentration and the course instructor, any other 300- or 400-level courses not included above that deal significantly with Latin America.



Declaration of the intention to choose this option should occur no later than the second semester of the junior year.



5. Other requirements:
1. Language requirement: demonstrated proficiency in Spanish through the completion of at least one course at the 200 level or above OR the equivalent.
2. No more than 12 credits in the same department may count toward the concentration.
3. A course cannot fulfill more than one requirement within the concentration.

111 Introduction to Latin American Studies (Spring) 4 credits

This discussion-based, interdisciplinary Latin American studies course approaches "culture" broadly to include a wide spectrum of everyday experiences, and provides students with a solid foundation for subsequent academic work in the region. The course begins with an overview of definitions of "Latin America" and of its current state as an object of interdisciplinary study, and then explores contemporary issues (i.e. state repression, human rights, immigration) via various disciplines (humanities and social sciences) and genres (i.e., academic essays, narrative journalism, testimonio). Prerequisites: none. APARICIO, BENOIST.

499 Senior Research (Fall or Spring) 4 credits

An interdisciplinary senior research project for students completing the concentration in Latin American Studies. May be repeated in consecutive semesters by a student pursuing a single research project. Credits earned each semester must fulfill program requirements as specified in program description. Permission of the concentration committee required. STAFF.