Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Latin American students in the campus center

 

The minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies is an interdisciplinary program which draws on the teaching and research interests of faculty from throughout the University. A sequence of courses provides students with an understanding of the shared historical experience, languages, artistic traditions and cultures that constitute the current make-up of the region.

The Caribbean and Latin America are areas of significant academic interest and political importance. Geographically circumscribed and distinguished by a rich, multicultural history, the region provides a coherent focus for study in many disciplines. The proximity of this region to the United States, its primary role in U.S. foreign and economic policy, and the growing numbers of U.S. citizens of Latin and Caribbean descent underpin the importance of the area for academic study in this nation.

Organization

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies curriculum includes an introductory course and a capstone seminar, required of all students seeking to complete a minor. Other courses in the program are divided into three categories Historical Process, Language and the Arts, and Modern Cultural Experience. These are drawn from various General Studies categories as well as several degree programs. The minor program is open to all students regardless of ethnic background, and the requirements can be met by students in any major program of study.

Requirements

Completion of the minor requires a 20-credit sequence of five courses. Each student must complete one introductory course:
GEN 1302 Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean, GEN 1030 Freshman Seminar, Introduction to Latin America/Caribbean and LANG 3252 Latin American Culture and Civilization, GIS 3730 the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Senior Seminar. The remaining three courses must include one from each of the program’s three topical categories — Historical Process, Language and the Arts, and Modern Cultural experience. Students will also be required to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish, French, (or another relevant language), either by completing two semesters of university coursework or by some other method accepted by the Languages and Culture Studies faculty. Credits for these language courses will not be counted toward the 20 credits required for certification. Students interested in completing the minor should notify the coordinator of Latin American and Caribbean Studies as early as possible.

Required Courses

  • GIS 3700 LACS Capstone Seminar AND one introductory course:
  • GEN 1030 (Freshman Seminar) Introduction to Latin America/Caribbean OR 
  • GEN 1302 Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean OR
  • LANG 3252 Latin American Culture and Civilization

The Historical Process

  • ANTH 2245 Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
  • ANTH 2134 Early Civilizations
  • POLS 2245 Race and Politics 
  • GAH 2269 Multicultural Latin America
  • GAH 2216 Puerto Rican History and Culture
  • GAH 2363 Puerto Rico, Society, and Culture
  • GAH 2337 Banana Republic
  • GAH 2217 Mexico Since the Revolution
  • GAH 3216 Literature and Power in the Americas
  • GAH 3224 Latin America and World Literature
  • GAH 2334 Representing Race
  • GAH 2361 Migration And Immigration
  • GAH 3651: Seminar in Migration Studies

 

  • GNM 2280 Latinos and Health
  • HIST 1160 Latin American History I: Political Development
  • HIST 1161 Latin American History II: Social and Economic Development
  • HIST 2128 Atlantic History, 1492-1888
  • HIST 3605 Slavery and Emancipation
  • HIST 2171 The Black Atlantic
  • LANG 3607 French Civilization
  • LANG 3254 The Spanish Civil War 
  • LANG 3261 Spain: Dictatorship and Democracy
  • LANG 4649 20th Century Latin American Novel
  • LANG 4244 Hispanic Essays

Language and the Arts

  • GIS 4674 Globalization and Art
  • ARTV 2271 World Art
  • GAH 1215 African-American Dance
  • GEN 2230 Black American Experience Through Dance
  • LANG 2140 Spanish: Reading Knowledge I
  • LANG 2141 Spanish: Reading Knowledge II
  • LANG 2142 Mapping Hispanic Cultures I
  • LANG 2143 Mapping Hispanic Cultures II
  • LANG 2144 Spanish for Health I
  • LANG 2145 Spanish for Health II
  • LANG 3242 Spanish and Global Health
  • LANG 2230 Intermediate French I
  • LANG 2231 Intermediate French II
  • LANG 3215 Latin American Short Story
  • LANG 3230 Advanced French I
  • LANG 3240 Advanced Oral and Written Expression 
  • LANG 3241 Advanced Spanish Composition and Syntax
  • LANG 3259 Latin American Theatre
  • LANG 3260 Colombia: Society and Culture
  • LANG 3255 Spanish-English Grammar
  • LANG 4245 19th and 20th Century Spanish Literature
  • LANG 4246 20th Century Latin American Poetry
  • LANG 4649 20th Century Latin American Novel
  • LANG 3244 Literary Analysis in Spanish 
  • LANG 3246 Translation Practicum in Spanish 
  • LANG 3750 Caribbean Literature in Spanish
  • LANG 3257 Proficiency Methodology in Spanish 
  • LANG 4241 Cervantes 
  • LANG 4242 Spanish Golden Age Literature 
  • LANG 4248 Spanish Women Writers 
  • LANG 4250 Spanish Narrative and Aesthetics
  • SOWK 2200 Spanish for the Human Service Field

Modern Cultural Experience

  • ANTH2245 Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
  • ANTH 2230 Ethnicity
  • ANTH 3623 Ethnography of the U.S.
  • GAH 1064 Migration And Immigration
  • LANG 3260 Colombia: Society and Culture
  • GAH 2363 Puerto Rico: Society and Culture
  • GAH 3216 Literature and Power in the Americas
  • GAH 3119 Multicultural Latin America
  • GAH 2378 Globalization, Migration, and Art 
  • GIS 3342 Mexican Culture
  • GIS 3639 Immigration and Immigrants
  • GSS 3274 Democratization in Latin America
  • GIS 3342 Latin American Study Tour
  • GIS 4612 Costa Rica Cultural Study Tour
  • GNM 2434 Prep for Tropical Field Biology
  • GSS 2191 Puerto Ricans on the Mainland
  •  LANG 2142 Mapping Hispanic Cultures I
  •  LANG 2143 Mapping Hispanic Cultures II
  •  SOCY 2213 Minority-Majority Relations
  •  SOWK 2504 Race, Ethnicity, Diversity
  •  LANG 3215 Contemporary Latin American Short Stories 
  •  LANG 3244 Literary Analysis in Spanish 
  •  LANG 3246 Translation Practicum in Spanish 
  •  LANG 3254 The Spanish Civil War 
  •  LANG 3255 Spanish/English Grammar 
  •  LANG 3256 Film in Spanish 
  •  LANG 3259 Latin American Theatre 
  •  LANG 3260 Colombia: Society and Culture 
  •  LANG 3261 Spain: Dictatorship and Democracy 
  •  LANG 3750 Caribbean Literature in Spanish
  •  SOWK 2504 Race, Ethnicity, Diversity
  •  LITT 2305 Introduction to Global Literatures

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the minor, then please contact coordinators:

Coordinator:

Kameika Murphy
609-652-4640
Kameika.Murphy@stockton.edu

Opportunities

The Latin American/Caribbean Studies program offers many co-curricular activities, which enhance relevant educational opportunities at the University. The program sponsors panel discussions and presentations on current issues that affect the Latin America and Caribbean region. Past events include cultural exhibits such as Maya 2012: Lords of Time, Elaine LingPhotography: Cuba Chronicles, Guatemalan Weavings by Armando Sosa, Capoeira Arts, and Ecocriticism in/of the Americas. The program also sponsors presentations from Latin American and Caribbean community leaders.
Along with the curriculum requirements, the program also encourages international study as well as service learning in the community. Credits earned at Latin American or Caribbean universities may be applied to degree requirements. Students interested in this option should consult the Coordinator of International Education. The University also offers a variety of courses with travel components in the minor. Offerings will vary from year to year.