Latin American and Caribbean Studies 2007-2008
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Overview
Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) is a program which offers a major, an interdepartmental major, and a minor in the study of the history, culture, language and politics of the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean region. In addition, students may focus their study on the Atlantic world, on the interaction between the Americas and Africa and on the experiences of people of Latin American descent in the United States. Latin American and Caribbean courses are part of the Core Components curriculum fulfilling requirements in humanities, linguistic and cultural competency and connections across disciplines.
Ever Thought about a Major in Latin American & Caribbean Studies (LACS)?
A degree in Latin American & Caribbean Studies might be perfect for you if you:
· Are interested in international affairs;
· Are considering a career in law or diplomacy;
· Are interested in any area of education, government or law enforcement, economics or
politics;
· Or if you are a Spanish major or interested in French or Portuguese, with an interest in
history, sociology, politics and culture.
Students who have graduated with degrees in LACS have pursued a variety of careers, including working at the World Bank in Washington; serving as a member of UN observer teams to elections across the globe; attending law school, medical school and graduate programs in education, teaching, MBA and business programs; doing human rights work; teaching.
Graduates report that a degree in Latin American & Caribbean Studies assured admissions officers and employers that they had studied an area of the world now of key importance to the United States. Moreover, with Spanish fast becoming the second most important language in the U.S., and Portuguese spoken by half of Latin America’s population, employers in business, government and education will look favorably on job candidates who have knowledge of the cultures and languages of Latin America and U.S. Latino peoples. Likewise, a LACS minor or ID major complements the major in another field and indicates a broader perspective.
In the past few years nearly all LACS seniors have been awarded Internal Education Funds from Union to finance their travel to Latin America. They have visited Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Chile and the Caribbean to research their projects.
New courses are added to our curriculum each year. Tropical Biology, Latin American and Caribbean Art, Studies in the French Caribbean, Negritude Movement: Point of Departure in Black African and Afro-Caribbean Literature in French are among the most recent additions. Others like Latin American Politics: Facing the World, Music of Latin America, Latinos(as) in U.S. History or Dressing Up the Canon: Cross-dressing in Hispanic Literature and Film demonstrate the rich variety of courses that the program offers.
Come talk to us about one of the most exciting and promising areas of study for a college student today!
Requirements for the Major
Fourteen courses, including five courses in Latin American history, politics, society and culture; one of the following courses contributing to an understanding of Latin American problems – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Peoples and Cultures of Latin America, International Economics, Seminar in Global Economic Issues, Post-Colonial Literature and Theory, Europe and the Americas in the Era of Columbus, Latinos(as) in U.S. History, Frontiers in the Americas, Transnational America, Feminist Political Theory, Religion and Politics, Wealth and Power among Nations, Sociology of Human Rights and Visual Culture: Race and Gender; six courses in Spanish, French or Portuguese language or literature; two courses devoted to a senior project. Each student participates in a term abroad program where one course in Spanish, French or Portuguese language or literature counts toward fulfilling the six-course language requirement for the major. There are study abroad programs in Mexico (Cuernavaca), Brazil (São Paulo) and Barbados.
Requirements for the Interdepartmental Major
Eight courses including three in Latin American history, politics, society and culture; four courses in Spanish, French or Portuguese above the introductory level, or equivalent proficiency; and a one course senior project.
Requirements for the Minor
Six courses including three in Latin American history, politics, society and culture; three in Spanish, French or Portuguese above the introductory level.
Five-Year Cooperative Degree Program with Georgetown
Union has entered into an agreement with Georgetown University that enables qualified undergraduate students majoring in Latin American Studies to receive a master’s degree from Georgetown’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies program in one academic year and a summer, rather than in the normal three or four semesters. Students interested in this option should contact the Director of LACS for more information.
Director
Christine Henseler
Associate Professor of Spanish
Ph.D., Cornell University
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308
E-mail: henselec@union.edu
The Faculty
Charles Batson
Associate Professor of French
Ph.D., University of Illinois
Michelle Chilcoat
Associate Professor of French
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Lorraine Cox
Assistant Professor of Visual Arts
Ph.D., University of Illinoi
Andrew Feffer
Associate Professor of History
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Leo Fleishman
Professor of Biology
Ph.D., Cornell University
Andrea Foroughi
Associate Professor of History
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Ari Edward Gandsman
Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Social Studies
Ph.D., McGill University
William Garcia
Associate Professor of Spanish
Ph.D., Rutgers University
anupama jain
Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Laura Loth
Assistant Professor of French
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Victoria Martinez
Associate Professor of Spanish
Ph.D., Arizona State University
Teresa Meade
Associate Professor of History
Ph.D., Rutgers University
Daniel Mosquera
Associate Professor of Spanish
Ph.D., Washington University
Pilar Moyano
Professor of Spanish
Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany
Cheikh Ndiaye
Assistant Professor of French
Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Byron Nichols
Professor of Political Science
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Tim Olsen
Associate Professor of Performing Arts
D.M.A., Yale University
Maritza Osuna
Lecturer of Spanish
Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany
Guillermina Seri
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Ph.D., University of Florida