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Saratoga Springs,
New York, 12866
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Latin American Studies
Director of the Latin American Studies Program: Viviana Rangil
Affiliated Faculty:
Anthropology: Susan Bender, Michael Ennis-McMillan, Jill
Sweet
Art and Art History: Lisa Aronson
Economics: Daniel Flores-Guri
Foreign Languages and Literatures: Juan-Carlos Lertora, Viviana Rangil, Patricia Rubio
Government: Aldo Vacs
History: Jordana Dym
Latin America is a region of multiple histories, a complex combination
of native and world cultures and political systems, a distinguished
literary tradition, and a dynamic presence in international
affairs. The United States and its residents have longstanding
political, cultural, historical, business, and academic ties
with this region, as well as with Latino populations active
within its borders. The importance of Latin America abroad and
at home provides a compelling reason to educate students in
the broader context of Latin American politics, culture, and
society in preparation for participation in civic and professional
life as informed citizens at home and abroad.
THE LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES MINOR: The minor offers students
the opportunity to undertake the comparative study of the political,
cultural, and economic traditions and contemporary realities
of Latin American and Caribbean countries and peoples, drawing
from such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, art history,
economics, history, language, literature, and political science.
It consists of a minimum of nineteen credit hours (five to six
courses) from the designated Latin American studies courses
listed below, including the senior capstone experience, with
at least two 300-level courses and with no more than two courses
in a single discipline or the student's major. Up to four credit
hours of Spanish, French, or Portuguese language at the 208
level or above may count toward the minor, as well as pre-approved
courses taken abroad. One course may be "Partial Latin
American Content." Each student's program will be approved
by the Coordinator of Latin American studies, who serves as
advisor to all minors.
This interdisciplinary minor emphasizes use of language skills
in different disciplines, and requires that students demonstrate
above intermediate competency in at least one regional language
and complete one Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC) course,
ensuring the ability to consider sources of knowledge produced
in the region. Competency may be demonstrated either by demonstrating
intermediate competency by taking a test offered by the Foreign
Languages and Literatures Department or successfully completing
a foreign languages and literatures course at the 208 level
or above.
The minor includes the following:
1. Foundation course (one of the following) GO209 The Latin American Puzzle, HI108 Colonial Latin America, HI109 Contemporary Latin America
2. Electives: three to four courses (minimum of ten credits)
3. Languages Across the Curriculum course (one credit)
4. Senior Capstone:
1)
One semester of LA377
Latin American Studies Colloquium (one credit)
2)
Latin American Studies Senior Capstone Requirement (LA371,
372 or 399, or approved course in an associated discipline or
program) (three credits)
Latin American Studies Curriculum
The following courses may be used to satisfy the requirements
of the minor.
LA 371/372. INDEPENDENT STUDY 3 An opportunity for qualified
students to pursue independent study or research in Latin American
studies under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member.
The written study proposal must be approved by the Latin American
Studies Coordinator, in consultation with the Advisory Board. Latin
American Studies Faculty
LA 377. COLLOQUIUM
IN LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES 1 The course includes presentations
and discussions by students, faculty, and guest lecturers, instruction
on library research, writing, and oral presentation skills.
It may also include field trips or a small community service
project. Offered on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Fall
semester only. Latin American Studies
Faculty
LA 399. PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP IN LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES 3 Internship or professional experience
at an advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial
academic and cocurricular experience in the minor field. With
faculty sponsorship and program approval, students will select
an internship and also produce a major research paper related
to the area of internship. Research topic must be approved by
the faculty sponsor and the on-site supervisor.
Latin American Studies Courses
AH
309 The
Arts of Mesoamerica and South America AM
235 Caribbean American Identity AN
205 Mesoamerican
Archaeology AN
229 Mexican
Cultures AN
244 Latin
American Indians AN
349 Medical
Anthropology FF
376 Seminar
(French Caribbean) FS
212 Survey
of Spanish American Literature FS
319 Spanish
American Narrative of the Twentieth Century FS
320 Studies
in Spanish American Poetry FS
321 Studies
in Spanish American Drama FS
323 Spanish
in the Media FS
324B Spanish American and Latino Film FS
330 Spanish
American Essay FS
331, 332 The
Culture of Spanish America FL
265 Latinos
in the United States GO
209 The
Latin American Puzzle GO
309 Latin
America and the United States GO
251 Topics
in Political Science (when taught by A. Vacs) HI
108 Colonial
Latin America HI
109 Contemporary
Latin America HI
215H Topics
Course: Latin America HI
228 Race,
Class & Ethnicity in Latin America HI 229 War and Peace in 20th Century Latin America HI
330 Politics and Society in Latin America HI
361H Topics
Course: Latin America LS2 132 African
Arts From the Old World to the New LS2 135 Latin
American and Latino Cinema LS2 198 Images
of Latinas LS2 210 Travel
Writers and Travel Liars in Latin America MU 205 Latin American Music (fall 2004 only)
Partial Latin American Studies
Courses AM
231 Ethnic
and Immigrant Experience AH
103 The
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas BI
325 Tropical
Ecology EC
234 International
Economic Theory EC
334 International
Political Economy FF
220 Language
Across the Curriculum (French) FS
220 Language
Across the Curriculum (Spanish) GO
339 International
Political Economy LS2
123 Jazz:
A Multicultural Expression