Undergraduate Studies Catalog

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM (LASP)

www.luc.edu/depts/latin_am_st

OBJECTIVES

The curriculum is designed to guide the student toward an understanding of the history, institutions, ideas, languages and literatures, and customs of the peoples of Latin America by means of an interdisciplinary program leading to a minor in Latin American studies. Intellectually and culturally, the Latin American Studies program (LASP) fulfills an educational and social need for the betterment of relations between Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations of both Americas. Philosophically, it embodies two central tenets of Jesuit education: a holistic approach to learning consonant with the aims of the core curriculum, and an integration of intellectual, moral, and ethical concerns. It is impossible to study Latin America without touching upon the most dramatic issues affecting its peoples today: poverty, over-population, hunger, social injustice, racism, and political oppression.

The Latin American Studies program is both interdisciplinary and interdepartmental. By combining coursework in several disciplines with the study of the Spanish language, the student gains appreciation for the cultural diversity and richness of Latin America through study of anthropology, communication, fine arts, history, modern languages and literatures, philosophy, political science, and theology. The student can elect a specialization in the humanities or the social sciences. No more than two of the electives may be chosen from course offerings from the same department.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR

The curriculum leading to the minor in Latin American Studies consists of 18 hours (six courses), including LASP 101, 395 (which is taken at the end of the sequence), four LASP electives, and the fulfillment of a language requirement. The work done to satisfy the language requirement does not form part of the 18 credit hours. Students can elect a specialization in the humanities or social sciences. No more than two electives may be chosen from the same department.

Language Requirement can be satisfied in three ways:

• Successful completion of the Spanish 101-102 sequence in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
• Successful completion of at least two years of high school instruction in Spanish, whether in the United States or abroad.
• Successful completion of a Spanish language examination or the equivalent administered by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, demonstrating eligibility for coursework at the 103 (intermediate) level.

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

101. Introduction to Latin American Studies. (INTS 201)
This required interdisciplinary course is taught on a revolving basis by specialists from the fields of the humanities and the social sciences. Familiarizes students with Latin American societies from the Pre-Columbian period to the present, and introduces students to the different methodologies with which diverse specialists approach the study of Latin America. Topics include: the archaeological past, Pre-Columbian civilizations, Spanish heritage, conquest and the colony, wars of independence, problems of acculturation, the Latin American quest for modernity, politics and underdevelopment, and the role of literature and art in Latin American society. Lectures and discussions will be supplemented by slides and films.

395. Topics in Latin American Studies.
Completes the minor in Latin American studies. This tutorial course serves an integrative purpose, requiring the student to focus on a specific issue or theme in Latin American studies research. Each student completes a research project integrating Latin American studies and his/her major field.

The following is a list of courses cross-listed with Latin American studies and other departments and programs. For complete course descriptions, see the listings of originating departments (in parentheses). Special topics courses in other departments are also cross-listed with Latin American studies when appropriate.

ANTHROPOLOGY

211. Peoples of Latin America. (ANTH 211) (INTS 211) (RCS 211)

217. Mexican Culture and Heritage. (ANTH 217) (INTS 217)

360. Mexican Gulf Coast Archaeology. (ANTH 360 variable topic)

COMMUNICATION

324. Latin American Cinema. (CMUN 324 variable topic)

337. Rhetoric of Social Change: Agitation and Resistance (CMUN 337)

FINE ARTS

357. Pre-Columbian Art of Middle & South America. (FNAR 351) (ANTH 344) (INTS 385)

358. Mexican Art and Archaeology I. (FNAR 352)

359. Mexican Art and Archaeology II. (FNAR 353)

HISTORY

299. Women in Latin American History. (HIST 358) (WOST 385) (INTS 368)

349. Inter-American Relations. (HIST 359) (INTS 359) (PAX 359)

350. Colonial Latin America. (HIST 352)

351. Latin American Independence: 1750-1830. (HIST 353)

352. Latin America in the Nineteenth Century. (HIST 354)

353. Latin America in Recent Times. (HIST 355) (INTS 389)

354. The Caribbean and Central America in Colonial and Modern Times. (HIST 356) (INTS 380)

355. Mexican History from Ancient to Modern Times. (HIST 357) (INTS 379)

MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES

• Literature in Translation

286. Latin American Literature (LITR 286) (INTS 286) (variable topics)
Contemporary Latin American Novel
Hispanic Novel
Masterpieces of Latin American Literature
Brazilian Masterpieces
Women in Latin American Literature

• Spanish (in Spanish)

372. Masterpieces of Latin American Literature. (SPAN 352)

380. Latin American Prose Fiction. (SPAN 380)

381. Contemporary Latin American Novel (SPAN 381) (INTS 383)

385. Caribbean Literature. (SPAN 385)

389. Latin American Short Story. (SPAN 389)

390. Hispanic Culture and Civilization. (SPAN 390) (INTS 397)

397. Topics in Hispanic Literature. (SPAN 397)

POLITICAL SCIENCE

341. Latin America in the International System. (PLSC 351) (INTS 395)

343. Latin American Politics. (PLSC 343) (INTS 343)

344. Contemporary Issues in Latin America. (PLSC 344) (INTS 344)

THEOLOGY

330. Liberation Theology. (INTS 330) (THEO 330) (PAX 332)

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