Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2010-2011 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2010-2011 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Latin American Studies, BA


Latin American Studies is a multi-disciplinary program designed to advance students’ understanding of Latin America. It seeks to provide both broad, general knowledge of the Latin American region as a whole and an in-depth knowledge of specific countries, regions, and cultures. Students in the program are encouraged to double-major and/or minor in the wide array of disciplines offered at the University of Scranton and to study abroad in Latin America for at least one semester.

Coursework in History and Political Science provides the foundation for understanding the historical, political, cultural, and economic development of Latin America. These classes provide an introduction of various cultures and civilizations as well as familiarity with those factors that have shaped the experiences of individuals, groups, and countries. Students learn about the social significance of concrete events in the past and the present. These courses enable students to appreciate more fully the specific learning objectives in upper-division courses in these same subject matters as well as specialized topics in the supporting course area.

Examining the role of philosophy and religion within the context of Latin American Studies allows students to appreciate how persons in other cultures have contemplated the human condition and the need for self-transcendence. Instruction in these courses should engender cultural sensitivity to the intellectual traditions, beliefs, and practices of others while enriching students in their quests to answer fundamental questions about themselves.

The natural history of Latin America has had a tremendous influence on the development of the cultures of the people who live there. Biology, anthropology, and geography courses provide students with a robust knowledge of the geological, geographic, biological, and cultural diversity of Latin America, and demonstrate how these dimensions have influenced the ways that humans have adapted to and altered their environment.

Literary works represent cultural, social, and political issues such as the articulation and negotiation of class, racial, and sexual identities. The study of literature enhances an appreciation of the complexity and diversity of the cultures and histories of the different regions of Latin America. Analysis of literary texts facilitates the acquisition of language skills and promotes effective written and oral expression.

Supporting courses allow students to acquire a general knowledge of the region by taking classes in a wide range of disciplines or to gain a deeper understanding of Latin America by focusing on one or two particular areas of interest.


 For more informaton about the Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies (LA/W/S) department, visit its website.


 

30 core credits. Majors must complete coursework in five content areas:


Area 1: History and Political Science (minimum 12 credits):


Area 2: Philosophy and Theology/Religious Studies (minimum 3 credits):


Area 3: Biology, Anthropology, and Geography (minimum 3 credits):


Area 4: Literature (minimum 3 credits):


Area 5: Supporting Coursework (9 credits):


Please note: Students who exceed the minimum credit requirements in areas 1-4 may reduce their credit requirements in area 5 accordingly. Students who study abroad and take appropriate coursework with an emphasis on Latin America may petition to substitute classes and are encouraged to speak to the director of the program.

Cognate for Major in Latin American Studies


Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages of Latin America. Proficiency in one or both languages is essential to a fuller understanding of the cultures, histories, intellectual traditions, and peoples of these countries. With the twin goals of cultural and linguistic fluency, the Department strongly encourages at least a semester of study abroad in an immersion program in one of these target languages.

9-12 credits. Students must satisfy one of the following three cognate options:

Cognate option 1: SPAN 211, SPAN 212, SPAN 311, and SPAN 312 (12 credits)

Students who begin SPAN at the 311 level will be required to take 6 additional credits in areas 1-5 (core). Students who begin SPAN at the 320 level will be required to take 12 additional credits in areas 1-5 (core) or as free electives. Total credits for major: 30 core plus 12 cognate


Cognate option 2: SPAN 311, SPAN 312, and PORT 110 (10.5 credits in this option)

Total credits for major: 30 core plus 10.5 cognate


Cognate option 3: PORT 110 and PORT 210 (9 credits)

Students who begin PORT at the 210 level will be required to take 3 additional credits in areas 1-5 (core) or as free electives. Total credits for major: 30 core plus 9 cognate
 


Please note: Placement in a language class is determined by testing in the University’s Language Learning Center.

 

Latin American Studies Curriculum


 

Department and Number Descriptive Course Title Fall Cr. Spr. Cr.

First year

     
 MAJOR   -   3 3
 FREE ELECT Free Electives   3
 GE WRTG-SPCH   -   3 3
 GE C/IL  

3

 

 
COGNATE 
(SPAN or PORT)
 COGNATE (SPAN or PORT) 3-4.5  3-4.5
 GE PHIL-T/RS    -    3  3
 INTD 100-
PHED ELECT
   - Physical Education  1  1
     16-17.5  16-17.5

Second year

     
 LAS ELECT  LAS Electives 3  
COGNATE  or LAS ELECT  COGNATE (SPAN) or LAS Electives 3 3
 HUMN ELECT  HUMN Electives 3 3
 GE PHIL-T/RS   -   3 3
 MAJOR
- QUAN ELECT
  - QUAN Electives 3 3
 PHED ELECT PHED Electives 1 1
 MAJOR   or   or     3
    16 16

 Third year

     
 MAJOR

  or   or  

  3
 MAJOR   or     3
 LAS ELECT  LAS Electives 3  
 MAJOR   3  
 FREE ELECT FREE Electives 12 12
    18 18

Fourth year

     
 NSCI ELECT NSCI Electives  3  
 LAS ELECT LAS Electives   3
 FREE ELECT Free Electives 12 12
    15 15

 

 TOTAL 130-133 Credits