0833. Race & Poverty in the Americas (3 s.h.) RCI: GD.

The transatlantic slave trade was one of the most brutal and momentous experiences in human history. Attitudes toward Latino, Caribbean, African, and Asian immigrants in the United States today can only be fully understood in the contexts of slavery and the “structural racism,” “symbolic violence” (not to mention outright physical violence), and social inequalities that slavery has spawned throughout the region. Although focusing primarily on the United States, we will also study the present entanglements of poverty and race in Brazil, Haiti, and other selected nations of “The New World,” placing the U.S. (and Philadelphia in particular) experience in this historical context.

Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: ANTHRO 0833, LAS 0933, REL 0833/0933, or SOC 0833.

0868. World Society in Literature & Film (3 s.h.) RCI: GG.

(Formerly: GE-WRLD 0060.)

Learn about a particular national culture—Russian, Indian, French, Japanese, Italian, for example, each focused upon in separate sections of this course—by taking a guided tour of its literature and film. You don’t need to speak Russian, Hindu, French or Japanese to take one of these exciting courses, and you will gain the fresh, subtle understanding that comes from integrating across different forms of human expression. Some of the issues that will be illuminated by looking at culture through the lens of literature and film: Family structures and how they are changing, national self-perceptions, pivotal moments in history, economic issues, social change and diversity.

0933. Honors Race & Poverty in the Americas (3 s.h.) RCI: GD.

The transatlantic slave trade was one of the most brutal and momentous experiences in human history. Attitudes toward Latino, Caribbean, African, and Asian immigrants in the United States today can only be fully understood in the contexts of slavery and the “structural racism,” “symbolic violence” (not to mention outright physical violence), and social inequalities that slavery has spawned throughout the region. Although focusing primarily on the United States, we will also study the present entanglements of poverty and race in Brazil, Haiti, and other selected nations of “The New World,” placing the U.S. (and Philadelphia in particular) experience in this historical context. (This is an Honors course.)

Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have successfully completed any of the following: ANTHRO 0833, LAS 0833, REL 0833/0933, or SOC 0833.

0968. Honors World Society in Literature & Film (3 s.h.) RCI: GG.

Learn about a particular national culture—Russian, Indian, French, Japanese, Italian, for example, each focused upon in separate sections of this course—by taking a guided tour of its literature and film. You don’t need to speak Russian, Hindu, French or Japanese to take one of these exciting courses, and you will gain the fresh, subtle understanding that comes from integrating across different forms of human expression. Some of the issues that will be illuminated by looking at culture through the lens of literature and film: Family structures and how they are changing, national self-perceptions, pivotal moments in history, economic issues, social change and diversity. (This is an Honors course.)

1001. Perspectives on Latin America (3 s.h.) F S. RCI: IS.

(Formerly: LAS C050.)

Interdisciplinary examination of social change in Latin American societies. Provides historical context and includes changing approaches to economic development, class and ethnic issues, religious traditions, art, music, and literature.

Note: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core International Studies (IS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information. In addition to meeting the university Core International Studies requirement, this course meets the Non-Western/Third World IS requirement for Communication Sciences majors. Please note the recent update to the Core IS requirement at www.temple.edu/vpus/documents/Core_IS_UpdateFinal.pdf.

1051. Processes of Change in Latin America (3 s.h.) S.

(Formerly: LAS 0303.)

Cross Listed with History 1022 (0122).

Social and political change in selected Latin American countries since 1900. Topics include ideological change, the actions of established and emergent social groups, political leadership in Latin America, and social conflict.

Prerequisite: Admittance to Latin American Studies Semester.

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.

Note: Given in Spanish as part of the LASS program (see above).

2169. Archaeology of South America (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with ANTHRO 2169 (0169).

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.

2173. Ancient Mesoamerica (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Anthropology 2173.

Ancient Mesoamerica is a general survey of the pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico and Middle America before the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire in A.D. 1521. In this course we will examine the long history of Mesoamerica beginning with the first peopling of the Americas at least 15,000 years ago and ending with the Spanish Conquest and the creation of “Latin America”.

2231. Democracy in Latin America (3 s.h.)

(Formerly: LAS 0130.)

Cross Listed with Political Science 2231 (0218).

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.

2232. Politics of Development in Latin America (3 s.h.)

(Formerly: LAS 0129.)

An examination of Latin America’s struggle for economic development. Emphasis on 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.

2361. Peoples of Latin America (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Anthropology 2361 (0261).

Starting in 1492, Native American isolation from Europe and Africa ended in the region of the Americas that became Latin America. Despite five hundred years of colonial and nation-state domination, indigenous peoples in Latin America continue to assert their basic human right to resist cultural hegemony. Not only have indigenous populations survived, they are also growing. Today they constitute a majority in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Peru and a substantial plurality in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. The focus here is on this remarkable struggle for physical and cultural survival. Attention will be given to the lived experiences of people struggling for human dignity on the lowest strata of regional class structures. Issues of land rights, environmental, health, political, and economic self-determination will be examined.

2362. Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Anthropology 2362.

Shaped by conquest and colonial transnational desires, first of sugar and then of tourism, the Caribbean has been wrought since its very inception by the displacement of people, goods and ideas from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, presenting a challenge for the anthropological study of socio-cultural change through time and space. In this introductory course on the Caribbean we will critically examine “creolization” processes at social, religious, political, economic, and artistic levels as they were driven by various groups, from pirates, privateers, maroons, exiles, to tourists, in the context of colonialism, nation building, and globalization. Examining specific sites such as music, display events, folklore, and religion we will ponder about, for instance, the effects of European revolutions on the creation of elites in the Caribbean, and the impact of slave cultures and peasantries on the formation of creole religions. How has the image of the sensuous/threatening mulatta evolved since the plantation? On what kind of histories and emotions do “zombies” feed upon? Why did Reggae and Merenge succeed on the global stage? How does the display of national icons in Trinidadian carnival reflect on their socio-political conflicts? How is the colonial past re-packaged for global consumption? Format: Seminar with short lectures, class presentations, video screenings and class discussions.

2502. Fundamentals of Latin American Business (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with IBA 2502 (0101).

This course is designed to give students a solid basis to face a job assignment related to business in a Latin American country and to develop your ability to perceive the importance of cultural diversity and how it influences business activities across Latin American countries. Specifically, this course will help you understand the specific challenges of doing business in Latin America and enable you to perceive and understand the differences in the business environment, business customs, and business practices between countries of Latin America and of the rest of the world.

2514. Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America (3 s.h.) F.

(Formerly: LAS 0170.)

Cross Listed with History 2514 (0121).

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.

3010. Topics in Latin American Studies II (3 s.h.) F.

(Formerly: LAS 0141.)

Course topics vary each semester and may include the media in Latin America, Latin American music, race and ethnicity, and social movements.

Note: Students can obtain a description of the current version at the Latin American Studies Center.

3020. Topics in Latino Studies (3 s.h.) F S. RCI: RS.

(Formerly: LAS R138.)

Course topics vary and may include the study of Latino migration to the United States, Latino communities in the United States, and Latino political and cultural movements.

Note: (1) Students can obtain a description of the current version at the Latin American Studies Center. (2) This course can be used to satisfy the university Core Studies in Race (RS) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university GenEd requirements. See your advisor for further information.

3101. Latino Identity in the U.S. (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with American Studies 3101.

Latino Identity in the U.S. is a general survey of the cultural-historical experiences of Latinos in the United States from pre-colonization to the present with concentration on the time period of the civil rights movement to the present. The course will explore the impact of Latinos in U.S. cultural-history and artistic expressions, across all disciplines; specifically on how this impact has reflected itself in the development of Latino identity formation and how Latinos fit within race/ethnic/gender cultural politics in the United States.

3561. Contemporary Brazilian Scene (3 s.h.) S.

(Formerly: LAS 0302.)

Cross Listed with History 3561 (0225).

Modern and contemporary Brazilian themes including democracy, globalization, and nationalism, cultural and ideological dissent, and popular social movements. Course materials include Brazilian writings, documents, and films.

3601. “Other Voices” in Latin American Literature (3 s.h.)

This course looks at race, color, and gender in Latin American creative literature. The literature explores key cultural dimensions of the Latin American society and psyche. Focus is on the presence of Afro-Latinos, the role of Indigenous peoples, and feminist perspectives in the different Latin American societies.

3602. Caribbean Literature and Culture (3 s.h.)

The Caribbean is an immensely rich, virtually untapped cultural matrix for most North American students. This confluence of many old world cultures really is the brave new world, home of four Nobel laureates and a vast multi-lingual literature that runs in deep currents through our own national psyche. This course will focus on Caribbean artists and social movements that have had a major impact on modern culture, especially in the United States.

3702. African Religions and New World Culture (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Religion 3702 (0158).

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 world-view of African Americans.

3801. African Culture in Brazil (3 s.h.)

This course is an interdisciplinary examination of the cultural history of Africans and their descendents in Brazil. Particular attention will be paid to the northeastern state of Bahia - the earliest and most important point of entry for Africans transported to Brazil during the Atlantic slave trade. Special focus will be paid to Bantu-Kongo culture of West Central Africa and to the Yoruba and Fon cultures of Western Africa transferred to Brazil from the late 16th through the 19th centuries.

4082. Independent Study (1 to 9 s.h.) F S SS.

(Formerly: LAS 0304.)

Prerequisite: Special authorization required for all students.

Independent research on a specific topic related to Latin America. This course will enable undergraduate students the option of taking an independent study through the Latin American Studies Center.

4097. Latin American Studies Seminar (3 s.h.) F S SS. RCI: WI.

(Formerly: LAS W315.)

Prerequisite: Senior Latin American Studies major.

A capstone, multidisciplinary course for Latin American studies majors. Uses seminar format to prepare and discuss individual student research projects on Latin America.

Note: Fulfills the Capstone writing course requirement for the Latin American Studies major.
[Back] [Top]