Latin American Studies

Valparaíso, Chile - photo by Drew Friedman '05

Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores the cultural heritage of México, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Latinas and Latinos in the United States. Its curriculum is designed to bring the scholarly methods and perspectives of several disciplines together in fostering increased understanding of Latin America’s history, social and economic realities, and cultural diversity. Competence in a language spoken in the region other than English (such as Spanish, French or Portuguese) is required, and it is strongly recommended that students participate in an off-campus study program in Latin America.

Requirements for the Minor in Latin American Studies

The minor in Latin American Studies consists of at least one course at Bowdoin beyond the intermediate level in Spanish, History 255 (Modern Latin American History), and three additional courses, two of which must be outside the student's major department. Independent studies can meet requirements for the minor only with the approval by the Latin American Studies Committee of a written prospectus of the independent study.

Latin American Studies Minor Requirements Checklist

Requirements for the Major in Latin American Studies

1. One course, offering a survey of cultural production in Latin America, conducted in one of the languages spoken in the region other than English. Students may choose Latin American Studies 206, Francophone Cultures; Latin American Studies 209, Introduction to Hispanic Studies: Poetry and Theater; Latin American Studies 210, Introduction to Hispanic Studies: Essay and Narrative; or a comparable course from off-campus study that surveys Latin American cultural production (literature, art, music, mass media, etc.) in Spanish, French or Portuguese.
2. A survey course in Latin American history covering several countries and periods in the region, such as Latin American Studies 252, Colonial Latin America; Latin American Studies 255, Modern Latin America; Latin American Studies 258, Latin American Revolutions.
3. A 200-level course in the social sciences that focuses on Latin America. For example: Latin American Studies 225, Globalization and Social Change; Latin American Studies 235, The Economy of Latin America; Latin American Studies 237, Gender and Family in Latin America.
4. A concentration of four additional courses centered on a particular geographic region or theme, selected by each major in consultation with faculty in Latin American Studies. The courses for the concentration should be primarily at the 200 or 300 level. Examples of recent concentrations are: Film and Literature in the Southern Cone; Social and Economic History; Gender and Identity; Cultural Production of the African Diaspora; Indigenous Cultures; US-Latin America relations.
5. An elective course in Latin American Studies, outside the student's area of concentration.
6. A 300-level course or Advanced Independent Study in Latin American Studies during the senior year.

A maximum of three courses from off-campus study programs may count toward the major. Courses in which D or Credit (CR) grades are received will not count toward the major.

Latin American Studies Major Requirements Checklist

LAS Course Numbering Outline