Participating Faculty: Michael Aronna (Hispanic Studies), Daniel
Chávez (Hispanic Studies), Colleen Cohen (Anthropology), John
Cross (Sociology), Brian Godfrey (Geography), Mihai Grünfeld
(Hispanic Studies), Katherine Hite (Political Science), Lucy Lewis Johnson
(Anthropology), Leslie Offutt (History), Lizabeth Paravisini–Gebert
(Hispanic Studies).
The Latin American Studies Program provides a multidisciplinary approach
to the study of the history, geography, politics, economics, cultures,
and literatures of the vast, diverse, and increasingly influential world
region of Latin America.
Requirements for Concentration: 12 units, including Latin American
Studies 105, work above the introductory level in at least three departments
and a competency in Spanish or Portuguese through the third–year
level (Hispanic Studies 217 or Portuguese 310–311, or their equivalent).
Maximum of 6 units of language instruction may count toward the concentration,
not including intermediate– and advanced–level literature
courses. Students are required to take two of the three 200–level
Latin American history courses (History 262, 263, 264). In the senior
year, each student must write a multidisciplinary thesis under the co–direction
of two thesis advisors, one of whom must be drawn from the participating
faculty. In fulfillment of the program, each student should elect 12
units from the following list, according to these guidelines: no more
than 2 units at the 100–level; and at least 3 units at the 300–level,
including a 1–unit graded senior thesis, the Latin American Studies
Program senior seminar, and a seminar by an instructor other than the
one responsible for the senior seminar. Students interested in Latin
American Studies are encouraged to consult with the director or participating
faculty members as early as possible to discuss their program of study.
Some study in Latin America (either during summers or the junior year)
is strongly recommended for all Latin American Studies majors.
Requirements for the Correlate Sequence: 6 units, including
Latin American Studies 105, (1) either History 262, 263, or 264; (2)
a minimum of four other courses in at least three different departments.
At least two courses at the 300–level, including the Latin American
Studies senior seminar and a seminar taught by an instructor other than
the one responsible for the senior seminar, are required; these must
be taken at Vassar. Ungraded work done in Latin America may be counted
toward the major. One year of college–level study or the equivalent
in either Spanish or Portuguese must be demonstrated. Students should
prepare a proposal for the correlate sequence in Latin American Studies
after consulting the courses listed in the catalogue and discussing
the sequence with an adviser in the program, as there may be other appropriate
courses which are not currently listed. All proposals should include
some discussion of the focus of the coursework and must be approved
by the program. One course can be "double counted" for a major
and a correlate sequence.
For descriptions and timing of the courses in the listing below, please
consult not only department listings in this catalogue, but also an
updated Schedule of Classes. Additional courses may be approved
for the major upon petition to program faculty.
Course Offerings:
105. Introduction to Latin American Studies (1)
An introduction to the basic concepts, theories, and methodologies
necessary for the multidisciplinary study of Latin American societies.
The focus of the course varies from year to year according to the topic
selected by the instructor.
Topic for 2001a: Resistance and Struggle in Latin America. Ms. Offutt.
282b. Cities and Urbanization in Latin America (1)
(Same as Sociology 282b)
286a. Drugs and U.S. Policy in Latin America (1)
(Same as Sociology 286a and Urban Studies 286a)
Reading Courses
297.01. Testimonial Narrative (1/2)
297.02. Indigenous Mexico (1/2)
297.03. Chronicles of the Conquest (1/2)
297.04. Latino Writings (1/2)
297.05. Socio–Political Thought in Latin
America (1/2)
297.06. Latin American Cinema (1/2)
297.07. The Politics of Regional Integration
(1/2)
297.08. Syncretic Religions of the Caribbean
and (1/2)
Latin American
297.09. The Legacy of the Plantation in Caribbean
and (1/2)
Latin American Literature
297.10. Cultures of the Amazon (1/2)
297.11. Native Peoples of the Andes (1/2)
300–301. Senior Thesis (1/2)
389b. Senior Seminar (1)
(Same as Hispanic Studies 389b) Required of all senior majors. Sponsoring
department, instructor, and agenda will vary from year to year, but
will display a multidisciplinary character through selection of materials
and possible use of guest seminar leaders from other participating departments.
Topic for 2001/02: Mass Media in Latin America. Mr. Chávez.
One two–hour meeting.
Approved Courses
Africana Studies 211. Religions of the Oppressed
and Third World Liberation Movements (1)
Anthropology 240. Area Studies in Ethnography:
Ethnography of the Caribbean. (1)
Anthropology 245. The Ethnographer's Craft (1)
Economics 102. Introduction to Marxian Economics
(1)
Economics 248. International Trade and the World
Financial System (1)
Economics 260. The Economics of Imperialism
(1)
Economics 268. Economic Development in Less
Developed Countries (1)
Geography 240. Latin America: Population, Development
and Environment (1)
Hispanic–Studies 105–106. Elementary
Spanish Language (1)
Hispanic–Studies 205. Intermediate Spanish
(1)
Hispanic Studies 207. Reading and Writing about
Latin American Culture (1)
Hispanic Studies 217. Methods in Interdisciplinary
Analysis: Latin America (1)
Hispanic Studies 227. Colonial Latin America
El reino de la imagen (1)
Hispanic Studies 229. Postcolonial Latin America:
Estética de la marqinalidad (1)
Hispanic Studies 387a. Latin American Seminar
U.S. Latino/Latina Discourses (1)
Hispanic Studies 387b. Latin American Seminar
From Landscape to Environment: Ecological thought in Latin America
(1)
History 162b. Latin America: The Aftermath
of Encounter (1)
History 251a. A History of American Foreign
Relations (1)
History 262a. Early Latin America to 1750 (1)
History 263b. From Colony to Nation: Latin America
in the Nineteenth Century (1)
History 264b. The Revolutionary Option? Latin
America in the Twentieth Century (1)
History 361. Varieties of the Latin American
Indian Experience (1)
History 363b. Revolution and Conflict in Twentieth–Century
Latin America (1)
Political Science 252. Politics of Modern Social
Movements (1)
Political Science 258a. Latin American Politics
(1)
Political Science 354. Seminar on the Politics
of Religion in Africa and the Diaspora (1)
Political Science 355b. Seminar on Violence (1)
Portuguese. First, Second and Third Year of
Spoken Language (Self–Instructional Language Program) (1)
Religion 211. Religions of the Oppressed and
Third–World Liberation Movements (1)