Professors
Thomas L. Leatherman, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1987
Celso de Oliveira, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1976

Associate Professors
Alfredo Alejandro Bernal, Ph.D., Indiana University, 1984
Darrell J. Dernoshek, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1996
Kenneth Kelly, Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles, 195 (affiliate faculty)
Ann E. Kingsolver, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1991
Elaine Lacy, Ph.D., Arizona State University, 1989
Ramona Lagos, Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1982
Maria Angélica G. Lopes, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1980
DeAnne Messias, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, 1997 (affiliate faculty)
Michael C. Scardaville, Ph.D., University of Florida, 1977
Juan Eduardo Vargas, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 1988 (affiliate faculty)

Assistant Professors
Laura Cahue, Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2001
Jorge Camacho, Ph.D., University of Toronto, 2000
Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999
David P. Hill, Ph.D., Duke University, 1978
Mona M. Lyne, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, 1998
Jennifer Reynolds, Ph.D., University of California Los Angeles, 2002
David Simmons, Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2002
Kimberly Simmons, Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2002
Terrance Weik, Ph.D., University of Florida, 2002 (affiliate faculty)

---

Overview

The interdisciplinary Latin American Studies Program allows a student to develop a solid foundation of understanding in the study of Latin America and comprises courses drawn from anthropology, foreign language programs, geography, government and international studies, and history. Students earn the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Latin American Studies.

The major requires 24 hours of course work in Latin American studies, including LASP 496 and at least one course from each of four disciplinary groups. Students majoring in Latin American studies must also complete a cognate (preferably with all courses from a single discipline), a minor, or a double major but are encouraged to pursue a double major. The minor in Latin American studies requires 18 hours of course work, including at least one course from two of four disciplinary groups.

Students pursuing either the major or minor are required to choose Spanish or Portuguese as their language of study. Minors must complete one three-hour course at the 200 level; majors must complete at least one 3-hour course at the 300 level. This course can be applied to the general education requirements. It is encouraged also that students will pursue study or supervised fieldwork in Latin America as part of the degree program.

Degree Requirements

(120 hours)

1. General Education Requirements (53-62 hours)

For a general outline, see "College of Arts and Sciences."

2. Program Requirements (24 hours)

LASP 301 (3 hours)
LASP courses, at least one from each of four groups (18 hours)
Group I: LASP 341, 342, 441, 442, 443, 444, 447
Group II: LASP 351, 451, 454, 455
Group III: LASP 311, 315, 322, 325, 331, 425
Group IV: LASP 361, 371, 471, 481
LASP 496 (3 hours)

3. Second Major, Minor, or Cognate (12-24 hours)

4. Electives, see "College of Arts and Sciences" (16-37 hours)

---

Course Descriptions (LASP)

• 301 -- Interdisciplinary Study of Latin America. (3) Anthropology, geography, history, politics, language, and culture of Latin America.
  
• 311 -- Latin American Cultures. {=ANTH 301} (3) Comparative study of selected Latin American cultures with emphasis on their significance for a broader anthropological theory.
  
• 312 -- Mexican Cultures. (3) Regional cultures from pre-Hispanic civilizations to the present.
  
• 315 -- South American Indian Cultures. {=ANTH 305} (3) An examination of ethnographic data on South American Indians, emphasizing methods used to acquire those data and their applications to theoretical considerations.
  
• 322 -- Mesoamerican Prehistory. {=ANTH 331} (3) Cultural development and variation in Mesoamerica from the first arrival of man to the arrival of Europeans. Particular attention to cultural continuities from prehistoric times.
  
• 325 -- Prehistoric Civilizations of the New World. {=ANTH 327} (3) Study of Mesoamerican and South American civilizations, particularly the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca states. Processes of state formation as reflected in archaeological data.
  
• 331 -- Geography of Latin America. {=GEOG 223} (3) Physical and human geography of Latin America.
  
• 341 -- Latin America: The Founding of New Societies. {=HIST 420} (3) The establishment and consolidation of the Spanish and Portuguese empires in the Western hemisphere; interaction of Indians, Africans, and Iberians, and the formation of social, economic, and political traditions in Latin America; political independence.
  
• 342 -- Modern Latin America. {=HIST 421} (3) Traditional society in the area and problems arising from social, economic, and political changes since independence; comparative studies of national responses to these problems.
  
• 351 -- Politics and Governments of Latin America. {=POLI 488} (3) The development, principles, political thought, and politics of the several Latin American states.
  
• 361 -- Spanish American Civilization. {=SPAN 401} (3) Lectures, readings, and visuals on selected topics of Spanish American civilization and its cultural heritage.
  
• 371 -- Literary Tendencies and Masterpieces of Spanish America. {=SPAN 405} (3) (Prereq: SPAN 312 or consent of instructor) A survey of the masterworks and literary tendencies of Spanish America.
  
• 398 -- Selected Topics. (3) Selected Topics on Latin America. May be repeated for credit under different suffix.
  
• 399 -- Independent Study. (3-6) Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.
  
• 425 -- Prehistoric Archaeology of South America. {=ANTH 534} (3) Prehistoric archaeology of the South American continent, from the earliest colonizers to the fall of the Inca empire.
  
• 441 -- Social and Economic History of Latin America. {=HIST 663} (3) The evolution of social groups and changes in economic patterns in Latin America from pre-Columbian times to the present.
  
• 442 -- History of Mexico. {=HIST 423} (3) Mexico from the pre-conquest period to the present, with an emphasis on modern Mexico.
  
• 447 -- History of Brazil. (3) Brazil from 1500 to the present.
  
• 451 -- International Relations of Latin America. {=POLI 437} (3) Contemporary international relations among Latin American states, including economic and political security and relations with the United States.
  
• 455 -- Politics of Revolution and Counterrevolution in South America. (3) Contemporary political development of South American countries with emphasis on the background and significance of revolution and counterrevolution in such countries as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
  
• 471 -- Spanish-American Society in the Novel. {=SPAN 557} (3) Social and political novels analyzed as works of art and for their expression of traditions, values, ideas, and aspirations.
  
• 481 -- Spanish-American Drama. (3) The theatre of Spanish America with emphasis on the period since 1900.
  
• 496 -- Senior Seminar. (3) (Prereq: 12 hours of course work in LASP or permission of instructor) Study in depth of a topic on Latin America.
  

Return to Arts and Sciences