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Course Descriptions

  • LAS 224/ART 224 Mexico: Art and Architecture

    This course focuses on the history of art and/or architecture of one or more Latin American cultures. The course may be taken more than once under different topics.

  • LAS 225 / ANT 225 – Contemporary Puerto Rican Culture and Society [Pérez]

    Provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical, political, cultural, and economic aspects that have shaped contemporary Puerto Rican society. It explores Puerto Rico’s current sociopolitical and cultural relationships with the United States and considers Puerto Rico’s place within the wider Caribbean and Latin American culture region. It prepares students to understand the causes that foster Puerto Rican migration to the United States and the significant role that culture plays in maintaining and negotiating Puerto Rican identity, both in the island and in the United States.

    LAS 240/ANT 240 - Latinos in the United States [Pérez]

    Provides a comparative perspective of the history and culture of the most representative Latino groups in the United States; namely, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans. It also considers the situation of other Latino groups (for example, Dominicans and Colombians) whose populations have increased considerably since the 1980s. The course introduces undergraduate students to the analysis of the histories of Latino immigration to the United States and to current debates about the construction and maintenance of Latino identities in the Diaspora.

  • LAS 255/HIS 255 - Introduction to Latin American History [Meznar]

    An introduction to the history of Latin America, this course assumes no prior knowledge of the area. It focuses on the assimilation and transformation of Amerindian, African, and European cultures in Latin America from the sixteenth century to the present by examining the political, cultural, and economic forces which have conditioned the development of institutions and ideas in Spanish and Portuguese America.

    LAS 342/HIS 342 - Modern Latin America [Meznar]

    An introduction to the history of Latin America, this course assumes no prior knowledge of the area. It focuses on the assimilation and transformation of Amerindian, African, and European cultures in Latin America from the sixteenth century to the present by examining the political, cultural, and economic forces which have conditioned the development of institutions and ideas in Spanish and Portuguese America.

    LAS 345 / HIS 345 – History of Mexico [Meznar]

    An inquiry into the forces that have shaped modern Mexico, from the Aztec and Maya kingdoms and the Spanish Conquest, to the Revolution and the emergence of modern Mexican society.  Special emphasis placed on the role of gender, ethnicity, and religion in the historical transformation of the Mexico.

    LAS 346 / HIS 346 – Central America [Meznar]

    Central America has been of strategic importance to the United States since the nineteenth century.  Beginning with an overview of Spanish rule, this course focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and more specifically on how relations with the United States shaped the region.  Transportation, export products, Cold War fears, drug trafficking, all contributed to draw Central America ever more tightly into the sphere of influence of the United States.  By the late twentieth century, following a period of civil wars and genocide, Central American nations struggled with restoring peace, punishing tyrants, and guaranteeing a modicum of human rights.  The course ends by exploring the accomplishments and also the limitations of these peace processes.

    LAS 347 / HIS 347 – History of Brazi [Meznar]

    Explores the uniqueness of modern Brazil, giving special attention to the interplay of different races and cultures in the region since 1500.  With a focus on the present, and using literature, music, and film, the course examines Brazil’s contribution to debates about colonialism, racial democracy, authoritarian government, violence against women and children, and economic development of third world nations.

  • LAS 320/SPA320 - Spanish Literature I

    Introduction to Hispanic literature in historical-cultural perspective.

    LAS 321/SPA321 - Spanish Literature II

    A survey of Spanish literature in historical-cultural perspective.

    LAS 323/SPA323 Readings in Latin American Literature

    Course will emphasize theme, style and society in the works of Latin American authors. Taught in English or Spanish.

  • LAS/PSC 328 - Latin American Politics

    Current trends in the political development of selected Latin American nations.