815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs,
New York, 12866
SKIDMORE PHONE
518-580-5000
Latin American Studies
Director of the Latin American Studies Program: Jordana Dym
Affiliated Faculty:
Anthropology: Susan Bender, Michael Ennis-McMillan, Jon Zibbell
Art and Art History: Lisa Aronson
Foreign Languages and Literatures: Diana Barnes, Charlene Grant, Maria Fernanda Lander, Beatrice Loyola, Viviana Rangil, Patricia Rubio
Government: Aldo Vacs
History: Jordana Dym
Music: Pola Baytelman
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:
Foundation course (one of the following)
GO209 The Latin American Puzzle, HI108 Colonial Latin America, HI109 Contemporary Latin America
Electives: three to four courses (minimum of ten credits)
Languages Across the Curriculum course (one credit)
Senior Capstone:
One semester of
LA377
Latin American Studies Colloquium (one credit)
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 208 Art and the Environment in Ancient Mesoamerica and South America AN 205 Mesoamerican Archaeology AN 229 Mexican Cultures AN 244 Latin American Indians AN 349 Medical Anthropology FF 376 (French Caribbean) FL 265 Latinos in the United States FS 212 Survey of Spanish American Literature FS 301 Business Spanish 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 FS 363 Special Studies in Spanish (when topic appropriate) 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) GO 358 Caribbean Politics HI 108 Colonial Latin America HI 109 Contemporary Latin America HI 217 Topics in History (when topic relates to Latin America) HI 228 Race, Class & Ethnicity in Latin America HI 229 War and Peace in 20th Century Latin America HI 230 History Through Travel: Latin America 1500–1900 HI 330 Politics and Society in Latin America HI 363 Topics in History (when topic relates to Latin America) SO 251 Special Topics in Sociology (when topic relates to Latin America) SO 351 Advanced Special Topics in Sociology (when topic relates to Latin America)
Partial Latin American Studies Courses
AM 231 Ethnic and Immigrant Experience AM 236 Jazz: A Multicultural Expression AH 103 The Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas BI 325 Tropical Ecology EC 314 International Economics EC 334 International Political Economy FF 220 Language Across the Curriculum (French) FS 220 Language Across the Curriculum (Spanish) GO 339 International Political Economy
