Oct 10, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Latin American and Latinx Studies, BA


Associate Faculty

Yamile Silva, Ph.D., Director of Latin American Studies
Michael Allison, Ph.D.
Roxana Curiel, PhD.
Aiala Levy, Ph.D.
Susan Méndez, Ph.D.
Janice Voltzow, Ph.D.

Latin American and Latinx Studies

Latin American and Latinx Studies is a multi-disciplinary program designed to advance students’ understanding of Latin America and people of Latin American heritage.  It seeks to provide general knowledge of Latin America and its diaspora alongside in-depth knowledge of specific countries, regions, cultures, and communities.  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, social, cultural, and economic development of Latin America.  These classes provide 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. 

Examining the role of philosophy and religion within the context of Latin American and Latinx 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 engenders 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 human societies that inhabit the region.  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, race, gender, and sexuality.  The study of written, visual, and aural cultural production enhances an appreciation of the complexity and diversity of Latin American and Latinx communities.  It also 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.


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)

* Restricted to senior History majors or students with a Latin American and Latinx Studies concentration or major, and only possible when content of the course is Latin American or Latinx history.

** Taught in conjunction with LAS 295 .

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

Cognate


Cognate for Major in Latin American and Latinx Studies

Proficiency in Spanish 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 Spanish.

Students who study Spanish must satisfy one of the following cognate options:

  1. 12 credits of Spanish if student begins at the 100 level. Options: 101 , 102 , 211 , 212 , 295  
  2. Demonstrate proficiency by earning a grade of “C” or better in 311  or beyond OR by challenge exam

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


Latin American and Latinx Studies Curriculum


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

First Year

                           
 MAJOR  HIST 125 - (CH, D) Colonial Latin America  — HIST 126 - (CH, D) Modern Latin America   3 3
 FREE ELECT  FREE ELECTIVE - Free Electives   6
 GE WRTG  WRTG 107 - (FYW) Composition   3  
 EP FYDT -FYOC  Level I Digital Technology (FYDT) - Level I Oral Communication (FYOC) 3  
 COGNATE (SPAN)  COGNATE ELECT - Cognate (SPAN)* Elective 3 3
 GE PHIL-T/RS  PHIL 120 - Introduction to Philosophy  — T/RS 121 - (P) Theology I: Introduction to the Bible   3 3
 GE FSEM  First Year Seminar 1    
    15 15

Second Year

   
 LAS ELECT                  LAS ELECT - Latin American and Latinx Studies Elective 3  
 COGNATE OR LAS ELECT  COGNATE ELECT - Cognate (SPAN) Elective or LAS ELECT - Latin American and Latinx Studies Electives* 3 3
 HUMN ELECT  HUMN ELECT - Humanities Electives 3 3
 GE PHIL-T/RS  PHIL 210 - Ethics  —  T/RS 122 - (P) Theology II: Introduction to Christian Theology   3 3
 MAJOR - QUAN ELECT  PS 219 - (S, D) Latin American Politics  — QUAN Electives 3 3
 MAJOR   ENLT 129 - (CL, D) Literature and Social Justice , ENLT 252 - (CL, D, EPW) Latinx Literature  or LIT 205 - (CL, D) Modern Latin-American Literature in Translation  or SPAN 320 - (CL) Introduction to Literary Studies     3
    15 15

Third Year

   
 MAJOR  LAS 295 - (S, D) Mexican Culture and Language  or PS 323 - (S, D) Central America  or PS 333 - United States-Latin American Relations  or another approved course   3
 MAJOR  T/RS 250 - (P, D) Latin American Liberation Theology and Beyond  or PHIL 242 - (P, D) Latin American Thought     3
 LAS ELECT  LAS ELECT - Latin American and Latinx Studies Elective 3  
 MAJOR  BIOL 204 - (E, D) Environmental Issues in Latin America   3  
 FREE ELECT  FREE ELECT - Free Electives 12 9
                                                                                                                                                                                   18 15

Fourth Year

   
 NSCI ELECT  NSCI ELECT - Natural Science Elective 3  
 LAS ELECT  LAS ELECT - Latin American and Latinx Studies Elective   3
 FREE ELECT  FREE ELECT - Free Electives 12 12
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                15 15

Total: 123 Credits

1 The selection of a First Year Seminar is likely to fulfill requirements both for the First Year Seminar and a General Education Requirement.  Thus, the First Year seminar will not add to the total credits for the semester. ENLT 137X - (FYS, CL, D) Race & Social Justice , when offered, counts toward Program Elective and First Year Seminar requirements, but is not required. Talk with your advisor if you have any questions.

*Starting at SPAN 100 level, SPAN 311  or beyond, or taking and successfully passing the language challenge exam will affect the credits listed in these semesters.