Latin American Studies

Latin American Studies (LAMS)

Coordinating Committee: Thomas C. Greaves, LaVonne C. Poteet, Alice J. Poust, Stephen C. Stamos Jr. (Director), Paul H. Susman, Peter Wilshusen

Associate Professor: LaVonne C. Poteet

Latin American studies provides a framework, through interdisciplinary study in the humanities and social sciences, for systematic understanding of the Latin American cultural and historical experience and of the important role of Latin America in the world. Students examine its rich chronicle of traditions, cultural expression, and historical experience and are encouraged to pose questions on a wide range of essential issues, ranging from multi-racial interaction, cultural syncretism, and transcendent values to economic struggle, human rights, globalization, and the quality of life. Through the LAMS major, students develop broader perspectives on their own culture. These perspectives, combined with an expanded international world view, increased sensitivity to inter-American relations, and extensive study of the Spanish language, bring depth and sophistication to the major.

A minimum of eight courses is required for the major. Each student must take the following courses:

LAMS	295	Topics in Latin American Studies
LAMS	297	Latin American History
LAMS	365	Seminar in Latin American Studies
SPAN	280	Spanish American Civilization

At least three courses must be elected from among the following:

ANTH	252	People and Cultures of the Andean World
ECON	276	Latin American Economic Development
GEOG	236	Third World Development
IREL	230	International Relations of the Caribbean
LAMS	319	Independent Study
POLS	211	Third World Politics
POLS	219	Latin American Politics
POLS	285	International Relations of the Western Hemisphere
SOCI	290	Sociology of Caribbean Society
SOCI	310	Sociology of Developing Societies
SPAN	222	Spanish American Literature
SPAN	285	Latino/Latina Literature in the U.S.
SPAN	324	Twentieth-century Spanish American Literature
SPAN	351	Womens Writing in the Spanish-speaking World*
SPAN	361	Topics in Hispanic Literature*
SPAN	362	Topics in Hispanic Literature*
SPAN	365	Topics in Spanish American Civilization
SPAN	461	Topics in Hispanic Literature*
SPAN	462	Topics in Hispanic Literature*
SPAN	465	Topics in Spanish American Civilization

* When content is predominately on Latin American topics.

Students who are pursuing honors in Latin American studies, and who are enrolled in LAMS 319 (Independent Study), may be exempted from LAMS 365.

Additional courses with substantial Latin American content may be elected from the list of approved courses offered each semester in the Class Schedule booklet.

Competence in the fundamental skills of the Spanish language equivalent to the beginning of the sixth semester of college Spanish at Bucknell is expected of Latin American studies majors and is necessary to enroll in SPAN 280, a required course.

Students complete the interdepartmental minor in Latin American studies when they successfully complete at least five courses from the lists above.

Students majoring in Latin American studies should plan a semester or a year of study in Latin America. Students should consult, when they elect the Latin American studies major, with their adviser, with the director and members of the coordinating committee, and with the Office of International Education, regarding suitable foreign study opportunities. Exceptions must be approved by the director. Bucknell University courses required of Latin American studies majors will be waived by the adviser in exchange for equivalent courses taken abroad.

Independent study for the major or for the minor may be taken by enrolling for LAMS 319 with any member of the coordinating committee (or with another faculty member, with the approval of the director). Students must submit a written proposal of the independent study project, endorsed by the sponsoring faculty member, to the director of Latin American studies. No more than one independent study course shall be included in the minor.

The program strongly encourages qualified majors to consider working for honors in Latin American studies. Such students should consult during their junior year with one or more members of the faculty of the program, to begin defining a research topic and writing a proposal. The proposal is to be approved by the Latin American Studies Steering Committee, and submitted to the Honors Council by mid-October of the senior year. Normally, an honors studnet will enroll for one independent study (LAMS 319) credit each semester of the senior year. Further information about the honors program may be obtained from the academic adviser, from the director of the program in Latin American studies, or from the Honors Council.

150. Latin America: An Introduction (I; 3, 0)
The complex and fascinating civilizations of Latin America are explored through literature, cinema, and the social sciences.

295. Topics in Latin American Studies (I or II: R; 3, 0)
Selected Latin American topics. May be given in Spanish.

297. Latin American History (I; 3, 0)
General survey from pre-Columbian times to the present. Selected themes, texts, and countries will be studied in depth.

319. Independent Study (I or II; R: 3, 0)
Individual research under direction of a member of the Coordinating Committee. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

365. Seminar in Latin American Studies (I, II; R; 3, 0)
Interdisciplinary topics in Latin American studies. Normally team-taught. Required of majors in Latin American studies, and open to others. May be given in Spanish. Prerequisite: permission of the instructors.