Latin American Studies
Newsletter
As we prepare for the tenth anniversary of our program and major at Bowdoin in 2010, we thought that an excellent way to launch the celebration of this milestone was to publish our very first newsletter, now in your hands. The program has expanded considerably, now offering courses in a variety of disciplines, including Africana Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Economics, Environmental Studies, French, History, Music, Sociology, and Spanish. When the major was approved in 2000 we were averaging approximately 230 students per academic year in our courses. Over the last few years, enrollments have more than doubled. Similarly, faculty contributing to our program has soared from eight to eighteen in 2008-09. And, as you will see throughout these pages, our faculty, students and alumni are tireless in their commitment to the region.
To celebrate our anniversary we have ambitious plans for the upcoming academic year. Along with some twenty courses to be offered over the course of the year, we are planning a monthly lecture series to enhance our understanding of the relationship between the United States and Latin America, to celebrate Latino Heritage Month in collaboration with the Latin American Student Organization, to assist the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association with their annual Cuba Week, and to commemorate the 1809-10 declarations of Independence in several Spanish-speaking countries. We also will initiate a thorough self-study, which will include an external evaluation of our program in 2010.
So, Bowdoin and Brunswick will be, as they have been in the past years, quite busy with “Latin stuff from the South.” Ask our hard-working coordinator, Emily Briley, whose enthusiasm has kept our program running smoothly and efficiently. Many, many thanks to Emily and to all of you who make all this commotion possible. We are especially grateful to our alums, who have shared their journeys with us. I hope you enjoy reading about all that is happening at Bowdoin and beyond.
Enrique Yepes
Peter M. Small Associate Professor of Spanish
Bowdoin Latin American Studies Newsletter: June 2009 (PDF)