Latin American and Latino Studies

Program Tracks Available

Major, Minor

Admission Deadline

Early Decision: November 15

Early Action: November 15

Early Action II: December 15

Regular Decision: March 15 (Preferred status deadline)

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Degrees Offered

B.A.

School

D'Amour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department

Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures

The history of the Latin American nations and the development of their distinctive identities, the struggle for independence, and the establishment of modern democracies offer a challenging range of areas to explore. The presence of Latin America within the United States in the Latino communities gives another dimension to the study.

Through a program that focuses on this significant region of the world, you have the opportunity to increase your familiarity with the dynamics of other societies while strengthening your awareness of cultural diversity. The program provides a comprehensive course of study. Since no single discipline affords full study of any area, the interdisciplinary approach is taken at Assumption with a goal to provide you with methodologies and modes of inquiry derived from different academic disciplines. This major draws upon courses from the departments of modern and classical languages and cultures, history, economics, and global studies, political science, sociology and criminology, and art, music, and theatre.

The major in Latin American and Latino Studies prepares you for graduate work or employment in fields such as government, business, industry, media, law, and community services. The major is also excellent preparation for a teaching career. Students interested in pursuing this major must discuss their intention early in their sophomore year in order to plan their program and have access to a wider range of course selections since most of the courses are offered within departmental cycles. Students may also select courses from the listing of the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts (HECCMA) with previous approval by the director of the program.

The study of Spanish is vital to any training in Latin American and Latino Studies. Language courses, therefore, are an integral part of the major. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue language study beyond the required level V. The major includes foundation courses in history and literature. These survey courses provide the connections to other courses. The listing of other Latin America-related courses will give students the flexibility to pursue specific interests and in many instances to combine the major with another major or minor. Electives offer a broader scope of study which will help students explore a specific aspect or issue related to Latin America.

Students are invited to participate in co-curricular activities, which may include films, lectures, field trips, art exhibitions, concerts, and other academic or cultural events.

Program Contact

Maryanne L. Leone, Ph.D

Professor of Spanish, Department Chair, Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures

508-767-7126 maleone@assumption.edu Founders Hall - Room 220

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Program Curriculum

Required Courses (10)

The Major in Latin American and Latino Studies consists of 10 courses which include a minimum of three 300–400 level courses and a maximum of three in any single discipline selected from C and D.

LAS 200

Introduction to Latin American Studies

Language: One course at level SPA 203 Spanish V: Conversational Spanish and Grammar Review, or above.

Two Courses, One Course in Each Discipline

HIS 250	Colonial Latin American History
HIS 251	Modern Latin American History
SPA 231	Survey of Latin American Literature

Five Courses Selected From

CLT 256	Latino Voices
GEO 222	Regional Geography of South America
HIS 250	Colonial Latin American History
HIS 251	Modern Latin American History
HIS 389	Special Topics in History (when topic is on Latin America)
HIS 401	History Pro-Seminar (when topic is on Latin America)
HIS 402	History Seminar (when topic is on Latin America)
LAS 390	Internship
LAS 395	Special Topics
LAS 399	Independent Study
MGT 301	Business and Society
MGT 311	Diversity in the Work Force
MUS 125	World Music
SOC 216	Racial and Ethnic Relations
SPA 200	Special Topics (when topic is on Latin America)
SPA 204	Introduction to Literature-Spanish
SPA 220	Spanish Composition
SPA 225	Business Spanish: Management
SPA 226	Business Spanish: Marketing
SPA 231	Survey of Latin American Literature
SPA 380	Latin American Chronicles
SPA 384	Magical Realism and the Literature of the Fantastic
SPA 400	Special Topics, when appropriate
SOC 236	Social Justice in a Global Community

Students may choose an elective from the following courses if the course has a substantive component on Latin America, and with the approval of the director

ANT 131	Cultural Anthropology
ECO 252	Economic Development
ECO 353	International Trade
ECO 354	International Finance
GEO 251	Economic Geography
LAS 400	Latin American Studies Seminar

A student may complete the Minor in Latin American and Latino Studies with one intermediate level Spanish course, and 6 one-semester courses (18 credits) acceptable for the major. For a full description of requirements, see the Latin American and Latino Studies listing under Interdisciplinary Programs of Study.
Spanish majors are encouraged to pursue a double major in combination with the major in Latin American and Latino Studies. The major is designed to respond to the increasing interest in the societies of the region. The program provides an opportunity for a study of their history, political and economic systems, social structures, and literary and artistic expression. Latin American and Latino Studies majors will be prepared for graduate study or employment in fields such as government, business, industry and education. For a full description of requirements, see the Latin American and Latino Studies listing under Interdisciplinary programs.

Faculty

Arlene Guerrero-Watanabe, Ph.D

Department Chair, Latin American and Latino Studies Associate Professor of Spanish

Steven D. Farough, Ph.D

Associate Professor of Sociology Director of Racial and Ethnic Studies

Juan Carlos Grijalva, Ph.D

Associate Professor of Spanish

Dona Kercher, Ph.D.

Professor Emerita of Spanish and Film

Cary Leblanc, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing Rome Campus Program Director

Esteban Loustaunau, Ph.D.

Professor of Spanish Director of the SOPHIA Program Director of the Center for Purpose and Vocation

Susan Perschbacher, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus of Sociology

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The major in Latin American and Latino Studies is designed to respond to the increasing interest in the societies of the region and to the need to understand the complexity of their history, political and economic systems, social structures, and literary and artistic expression.