Latin American Studies Program
Course Descriptions
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
LAS C050. Perspectives of Latin America (3 s.h.) (IS) FS
Examines essential characteristics and values of
Latin American societies, including class and ethnic matters, religious
traditions, intellectual life (art, music, and literature), and social change.
Meets International Studies Core Curriculum requirement. One section fulfills
the Studies in Race requirement.
LAS 100. Latin America Through
Film and Fiction (3 s.h.) S
Economic and political change; role of institutional forces including the
military and church. Cultural and intellectual traditions and trends, past and
present. Multi‑media approach. Given in Spanish as part of the LASS
program (see above).
LAS 129. Politics of Development
in Latin America (3 s.h.) FS
An
examination of Latin America’s struggle for economic development, one of the
most important human dramas of the 20th century. Emphasis of the
relationships that have prevailed over the last few decades between
developmental
theories and the everyday lives of Latin American peoples. Discussion of the
political and ideological questions involved in Latin American development.
Exploration of how Latin American developmental issues affect the United States
through matters such as job relocations and trade pacts.
LAS 130. Democracy in Latin
America (3 s.h.) 98-99
An examination of the structure and culture of Latin American democracies
organized around three major themes: (1) a discussion of theories of democracy;
(2) the formation and development of democratic institutions in Latin America;
and (3) the political culture of Latin American democracy. Uses a social
problems approach to look at two controversial Latin American issues since the
late 1960's: the tension between adopting a procedural vs. a substantive
definition of democracy, and the emphasis on political vs. socioeconomic factors
in explaining democratization.
LAS 138. Topics in Latino Studies
LAS 139. Topics in Caribbean Studies
LAS 140. Topics in Latin American Studies I
LAS 141. Topics in Latin American Studies II
LAS
145. Other Voices: Black, Native Peoples, and Women in Latin American
Literature (3 s.h.) S
The literature of Latin America includes many works which are not part of the
canon. Often these are writings of the oppressed: persons of color, women,
indigenous peoples. The texts such authors produce are often not considered as
deserving of literary attention or as having artistic merit. By giving attention
to these writers, we can analyze their viewpoints on Latin American society,
history, and culture, comparing their vision as outsiders with that of the
official version.
LAS 148. Puerto Ricans in
Philadelphia (3 s.h.) 88-99
The history and present state of Philadelphia Puerto Rican community with
comparisons to other mainland Puerto Rican communities. Course includes use of
Puerto Rican materials in the Paley Library Urban Archives.
LAS 160. Environmental Issues in
Latin America: A Social Problems Perspective (3 s.h.) 98.‑99
Examination of the complex interrelationship
between social problems and environmental degradation in Latin America.
Consideration of the relationship between poverty and the destruction of the
environment. Emphasis upon three topics: (1) the impact of human activity and
resource utilization on the Latin American environment; (2) the role of
political and economic factors in generating the Latin American environmental
crisis; and (3) the interaction between development priorities and environmental
protection.
LAS 162. Religion in Latin
America (3 s.h.) 98‑99
Trends in Latin American religion, including the impact of liberation theology,
the challenge of evangelical Protestantism to Catholicism, and the continuing
vitality of Afro‑Latin American religion.
LAS 167. Gender and Society in
Latin America (3 s.h.) 98-99
An interdisciplinary examination of the nature of gender relations and women's
subordination in Latin America with a focus on contemporary societies. Issues
discussed include: the impact of family and kinship relations on women's
participation in both urban and rural labor markets and informal economies;
ideologies of gender subordination; cultural expression in the writings of Latin
American women as agents of history and ideology; the significance of genderbased
politics and movements; and the impact of both national and grassroots
development efforts on the status and identity, of women.
LAS 170. Historical Continuity
and Social Change in Latin America (3 s.h.) F
Overview of Latin American history from a social change/social problems
perspective. Some of the historical themes addressed include: social inequality
and unequal exchange, cultural domination and resistance, racial minorities and
indigenism, the role of women in Latin American societies, political imposition
and democracy, and national independence.
LAS 189. Indians and
the Nation-State in Latin America (3 s.h.) S
An examination of the lived experiences of contemporary Indians
struggling for human dignity in the lowest strata of Latin American class
structures. A focus from an indigenous point of view upon issues such as land
rights, environmental health, and political and economic self-determination.
LAS 302. Contemporary Brazilian
Scene (3 s.h.) 98-99
Modern and contemporary Brazilian themes including democracy, neoliberelism and
nationalism, cultural and ideological dissent, and popular social movements.
Course materials include Brazilian writings, documents and films.
LAS 303. Processes of Change in Latin America
LAS W315. Latin American
Studies Seminar (3 s.h.) 98‑99
A multidisciplinary course open to Latin American Certificate candidates and
juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Uses seminar format to prepare and
discuss individual student research projects on Latin America.
ANTHROPOLOGY
ANTHRO 169. South American
Archaeology (3 s.h.) S
A survey of prehistoric cultures of South America. Concentrates on (1) the
initial entry and spread of human populations into South America and the West
Indies, (2) origins of tropical and highland agriculture, (3) the rise of
urbanism, civilization, and the state in the Andes, and (4) the impact of
prehistoric cultures on the environment.
ANTHRO 260. Native Peoples of South America (3 s.h.) S. See LAS 189
ANTHRO 261. Transformation of Traditional Cultures in Latin America
ANTHRO 262. Peoples of the Andes
ECONOMICS
ECON 220. Economics of Development and Growth (3 s.h.) Prerequisites: Economics C051 and C052,, or permission of instructor.An overview of the forces that influence economic development and growth. Topics include alternative theories of development, empirical studies of the development pros, and the role of non-economic factors in helping or hindering economic progress.
HISTORY
HIST 340. Latin America to 1930
HIST 344. Contemporary Latin America
HIST 345. History of Mexico (3 s.h.) S Following a brief background examination of indigenous civilizations and Spanish colonial rule, the course examines the political economy of 19th and 20th century Mexico. Particular attention will be devoted to the causes and consequences of the Mexican Revolution of 1910; the issues of political power, gender, race, ethnicity, and class in the remaking of Mexico from a rural, agrarian society into an industrial, urban member of NAFTA; and such historical sources of conflict with the United States as imperial expansion, migration, and narcotics trafficking.
HIST 346. Caribbean History
HIST 348. History of Brazil
HIST 349. Argentina and Chile
HIST 350. Topics in Latin American History
NOT INCLUDED:
HIST 354. History of Puerto Rico (3 s.h.) F An examination of the basic historical forces that have shaped Puerto Rico, with emphasis upon the 19th and 20th centuries. Attention will focus upon the three principal political positions advanced for the island –autonomy, independence, and incorporation- and upon the cultural and socio-economic implications of each. Migration and the condition of Puerto Rican Communities in the U.S. will also be discussed.
JOURNALISM
JOURN 354. The Press of Latin America
MUSIC
MUSIC 396 Latin American Ensemble
MUSIC 717 Music of the African Diaspora
MUSIC 745 Music of Central and South America
MUSIC 754 Music of the Caribbean
POLITICAL SCIENCE
POL SCI 261. The Politics of Multinational Corporations (3 s.h.) F An introduction to the study of international political economy. Major focus is government-business relations; in particular, the development and organization of transnational corporations, how the activities of these business enterprises affect the goals and situation of national states and the structure of interstate relations, and the methods by which national states can respond to international corporate activity.
PORTUGUESE
PORT 385. Contemporary Portuguese and Brazilian Literature
RELIGION
REL 158. African Religions and New World Culture (3 s.h.) S African religion and culture continues to exist in the religious and cultural life of African-Americans. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we will examine African-American religion, folklore, literature, music, and communication in order to assess the continuation and transformation of African culture in the worldview of African-Americans.
SOCIOLOGY
SOC 163. Area Studies: Latin American Development (3 s.h.) 98-99 Prerequisite: Admittance to Latin American Studies 'Semester. This course examines patterns of socioeconomic and political development in different parts of Latin America. Topics to be studied include: agrarian reforms, patterns of industrialization and urbanization, financial dependency, military regimes, revolutionary movements, and transitions to democracy. This course is taught in Spanish for the LASS program.
SPANISH
SPAN 230. Spanish-American Culture and Civilization (3 s.h.) (D1) F Study of the Spanish-American people through their literature, history, architecture, art, music, and European/indigenous traditions and institutions.
SPAN 240. Introduction to Spanish American Literature (3 s.h.) F 98 and alternate F A panoramic view of Spanish American literature.
SPAN 320. Puerto Rican Literature I
SPAN 321. Puerto Rican Literature lI
SPAN 322. 20th Century Puerto Rican Authors
SPAN 342. Spanish-American Short Story
SPAN 343. Spanish American Novel (3 s.h.) F This course will focus on the novel as genre seen from different perspectives, according to instructor's choice.
SPAN 344. Contemporary Spanish-American Fiction
SPAN 345. National Literatures of Spanish-America
SPAN 346. Latin American Poetry
SPAN 351. Latin American Literature of Social Conflict