Steven Rosales
Program Director
203 Old Main
479-575-3660

Latin American and Latino Studies Website

Students interested in Latin America and wishing to maximize their potential for academic, business, professional, or government careers related to the area, may earn a second major or a minor in Latin American and Latino studies together with a primary major in another discipline in Fulbright College. Advice on appropriate combinations of Latin American and Latino studies with other primary majors as well as individual approval of such combinations may be obtained from the Latin American and Latino studies program director. New students in this program must officially declare both majors and notify the Latin American and Latino studies program director. Degree checks must also be cleared with the program director. Freshmen and sophomores considering this program are advised to begin their study of Spanish or Portuguese as early as possible.

Requirements for a Second Major in Latin American and Latino Studies

In addition to the requirements of a primary departmental major, students pursuing a second major in Latin American and Latino Studies must complete the following:

Language Competence: The student must complete SPAN 2013, PORT 2013, or equivalent. Provisions are available for recognition of language skills gained by other means than formal course work taken at the University of Arkansas: See information under the entry in the department of world languages. Further functional work in Spanish or Portuguese as well as study and residence in a Latin American nation can serve to strengthen language competence and are encouraged.

Colloquium: The student must complete at least three hours in the interdepartmental colloquium, LALS 4003. The Colloquium may be repeated, with the adviser’s approval, provided the topic is different.

Electives: The student must complete 18 hours, in addition to LALS 4003, in courses with specific Latin American or Latino content, or individualized study options under instructors teaching Latin American or Latino Studies. Students choosing to take individualized readings or directed research courses must obtain the approval of the director of the area studies program. In the selection of the electives, the following conditions apply:

  1. Courses must be selected from at least three different departments,
  2. A maximum of nine hours may be submitted from courses taken in any one department.

The following courses and individualized study options may be taken in fulfillment of elective requirements:

Anthropology
ANTH 2013Introduction to Latin American Studies3
ANTH 3553Religion in Latin America3
ANTH 4263Identity and Culture in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands3
Art History
ARHS 4563Pre-Columbian Art3
ARHS 4563HHonors Pre-Columbian Art3
ARHS 4573Artists of New Spain3
ARHS 4573HHonors Artists of New Spain3
Economics
ECON 3843Economics of the Developing World3
ECON 3853Emerging Markets3
English
ENGL 3543Topics in U.S. Latino/Latina Literature and Culture (English)3
ENGL 4523Studies in U.S. Latino/Latina Literature and Culture3
History
HIST 30733
HIST 3193The Making of the Modern Caribbean3
HIST 3203Colonial Latin America3
HIST 3213Modern Latin America3
HIST 3283U.S. Latinos and Latinas through Film3
HIST 3303U.S. Immigration History3
HIST 3313Latinos and Latinas in the U.S.3
HIST 4173The Latin American City3
HIST 3363The Atlantic World, 1400-18503
HIST 4443Frontiers and Borderlands in Colonial Latin America3
HIST 4743The Cold War in Latin America: Revolutions, Violence, and Politics3
HIST 4783History of Modern Mexico3
HIST 4813Africans and Slavery in Colonial Latin America3
HIST 4823Black Freedom in the Age of Emancipation3
Latin American and Latino Studies
LALS 2013Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies3
LALS 399VHHonors Thesis1-6
LALS 4003Latin American Studies Colloquium3
Music
MUHS 4253Capstone Project Seminar (Latin American Music)3
Political Science
PLSC 3263Latino Politics3
PLSC 3573Governments and Politics of Latin America3
PLSC 4793Latino/Hispanic Political Thought3
Portuguese
PORT 3013Brazilian Cinema3
PORT 31033
PORT 3203Brazilian Cultural and Social Issues3
Sociology
SOCI 3173Latinos, Migration, and the U.S. South3
Spanish
SPAN 3103Cultural Readings3
SPAN 3113Introduction to Literature3
SPAN 3123Spanish for Heritage Speakers II3
SPAN 4133Survey of Spanish-American Literature I3
SPAN 4193Survey of Spanish-American Literature II3
SPAN 4223Latin American Civilization3
SPAN 4243Literature and Culture in the Hispanic United States3
SPAN 4253Latin American Cinema and Society3
SPAN 475VSpecial Investigations1-6
SPAN 5253Colonial Literature and Culture3
SPAN 539319th Century Spanish American Literature3
SPAN 546320th Century Spanish American Literature3
SPAN 5703Special Topics3
SPAN 5943U.S. Latino/a Literatures and Cultures3

Requirements for a Minor in Latin American and Latino Studies: Students wishing to minor in Latin American and Latino Studies must fulfill the Colloquium (LALS 4003) and the language requirements described in the combined major, and must complete at least 12 hours from among the electives listed in the combined major. Electives must include courses from at least two different academic departments. Included in the 12 hours may be 3 additional hours of LALS 4003, provided the topic is different.

Requirements for Honors in Latin American and Latino Studies: The Honors Program in Latin American and Latino Studies gives junior and senior students of high ability the opportunity to enroll in enriched courses and conduct independent research culminating in an honors thesis. In addition to satisfying the general Fulbright College requirements for graduation and the basic eligibility requirements for honors as established by the Honors Council, candidates for honors in Latin American and Latino Studies must complete 12 hours of honors credit in partial satisfaction of requirements for the co-major. One to six of these may be thesis hours (LALS 399VH). The preferred method for satisfying the remaining hours is to enroll in the colloquium at least once for honors credit (LALS 4003H) and to take relevant honors colloquia or graduate courses (with permission) in one of the departments contributing to this interdisciplinary area study. The thesis committee shall include a representative from the major discipline (in the case of multiple majors, from the discipline contributing most significantly to the topic). Successful completion of these requirements will be recognized by the award of the distinction “Latin American and Latino Studies Scholar Cum Laude” at graduation. Higher degree distinctions are recommended only in exceptional cases and are based upon the whole of the candidate’s program of honors studies.

Courses

LALS 2013. Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies. 3 Hours.

Provides an interdisciplinary introduction to Latin America and the Latino United States. Drawing on Latin American and/or Latino literature, film, art, history, sociology, anthropology, and political science, this course examines the broad forces that have shaped the region and/or the U.S. Latino experience. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

LALS 3013. Special Topics in Latin American and Latino Studies. 3 Hours.

Courses with a varying disciplinary focus on topics related to Latin American and Latino Studies. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.

LALS 3203. Colonial Latin America. 3 Hours.

An introduction to the social, cultural, political and economic formation of Latin America, during the period from 1492 to the movements for independence. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 3203.

LALS 3213. Modern Latin America. 3 Hours.

An investigation of the varying courses of modernization in Latin America, covering popular revolution, urban populism and military dictatorship. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 3213.

LALS 3253. The Latinx Image in Media. 3 Hours.

Exploration of the image and experience(s) of Latinx populations in the United States as represented in visual and print media, including film, television, news journalism, and art. Topics related to US Latinx history, culture, politics, and socioeconomics will be examined in the analyses of these mediated depictions. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is equivalent to ENGL 3253.

LALS 3283. U.S. Latinos and Latinas through Film. 3 Hours.

This course will examine the portrayal of U.S. Latinos and Latinas in Hollywood films and how those images have changed over time. While coverage will extend to the early years of the twentieth century, the chosen films will place particular emphasis on the century's second half, from the Cold War to the modern day. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with COMM 3283, HIST 3283.

LALS 3303. U.S. Immigration History. 3 Hours.

Examines the migration of ethnic groups into the United States from geographical areas that include Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Special emphasis will be given to cultural history, and will trace the impact of industrialization, urbanization, class formation, and popular culture on various ethnic groups. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 3303.

LALS 3313. Latinos and Latinas in the U.S.. 3 Hours.

Examines the emergence and growth of the Latino population of the United States. A broad survey of the Latino experience will complement more specific case studies focusing on cultural identity and the generational process of acculturation into the American mainstream. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 3313.

LALS 3373. Rise of the American Empire: War, Migration and Expansion, 1789-1917. 3 Hours.

Explores the history of U.S. expansion and imperialism from the nation's founding to the start of World War I. It proceeds both chronologically and thematically, considering the evolution of U.S. imperialism and its various manifestations - territorial, political, economic, and cultural. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 3373.

LALS 3543. Topics in U.S. Latino/Latina Literature and Culture. 3 Hours.

The study of works of U.S. Latino/Latina literature, with attention to particular themes, genres, authors, literary movements, historical moments, or other organizing principles. Content varies. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to ENGL 3543.

LALS 3553. Religion in Latin America. 3 Hours.

Examines contemporary implications of Latin America's unique religious heritage. An exploration of multiple Latin American religious traditions, with sustained focus on key theoretical concerns: conversion, vernacular vs. orthodox expressions, the blending of indigenous and European cosmologies, devotion and ritual, and the articulation of ethnic, gendered, and religious identities. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with ANTH 3553.

LALS 399VH. Honors Thesis. 1-6 Hour.

Honors thesis research hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

LALS 4003. Latin American Studies Colloquium. 3 Hours.

An interdepartmental colloquium with an annual change in subject of investigation, required of all Latin American studies majors. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing for Latin American and Latino Studies majors. (Typically offered: Spring) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

LALS 4003H. Honors Latin American Studies Colloquium. 3 Hours.

An interdepartmental colloquium with an annual change in subject of investigation. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and honors standing for Latin American and Latino Studies majors. (Typically offered: Spring) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to LALS 4003.

LALS 4263. Identity and Culture in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. 3 Hours.

An exploration of the interplay between Latino/a, Mexican, Anglo, and Native American identities and cultures along the U.S.-Mexico border. Course examines identity formation, hybridity, social tension, marginalization, race and gender, from an anthropological perspective, paying special attention to the border as theoretical construct as well as material reality. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with ANTH 4263.

LALS 4443. Frontiers and Borderlands in Colonial Latin America. 3 Hours.

This course examines frontiers and borderlands in colonial Latin America and focuses on the regions of California, New Mexico, Texas, Brazil, and the Río de la Plata. It demonstrates that frontiers and borderlands are defined by the absence of a hegemonic European power and associated with the prevalence of Indigenous norms. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 4443.

LALS 4523. Studies in U.S. Latino/Latina Literature and Culture. 3 Hours.

The study of works of U.S. Latino/a literature, with attention to particular themes, genres, authors, literary movements, historical moments, or other organizing principles. Content varies. At least one major research paper will be required. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 9 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to ENGL 4523.

LALS 4713. Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Colonial Latin America. 3 Hours.

This course examines women, gender, and sexuality in colonial Latin America. It explores the lives of indigenous, Spanish, African, and mixed-race women from all social ranks. A central question is: does the current status of women in Latin America stem from a colonial legacy of gender oppression and sexual repression? (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 4713.

LALS 4743. The Cold War in Latin America: Revolutions, Violence, and Politics. 3 Hours.

This course will trace the rise of the ideological and political struggles over social and economic development and the security regimes designed to thwart socialist revolution and political mobilization. The influence of the United States in Latin American security regimes and "containment" activities will receive special attention. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with HIST 4743.

LALS 4813. Africans and Slavery in Colonial Latin America. 3 Hours.

Explores the diverse experiences of slaves and free Blacks in colonial Spanish and Portuguese America from 1500 to around 1888, demonstrating that bondage and the practice of African slavery was a pillar of political authority in colonial Latin America. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with AAST 4813, HIST 4813.

LALS 4853. Latin American Landscapes. 3 Hours.

This course studies the shaping of urban Latin American Landscapes by investigating, problematizing, and analyzing their diverse social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions as reflected in the built realm. The main scope of study is the conception, origins, meaning, function, and performance of public spaces and landscapes in the continent. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with LARC 4853.