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Latin American Studies

Director

  • Kristine Fitch (Communication Studies)
Undergraduate nondegree programs: Certificate, Minor in Latin American Studies
Web site: http://intl-programs.uiowa.edu/academic/lasp/index.shtml

The Latin American Studies Program (LASP) is interdisciplinary, focusing on the history, politics, social organization, economy, geography, music, religion, art, and literature of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Faculty members from across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences participate in the Latin American Studies Program as affiliated faculty members. Other University of Iowa faculty members occasionally offer courses and participate in the program's research, study, and interdisciplinary activities.

The Latin American Studies Program prepares students for graduate study or for Latin America-related careers in business, communications, government, bilingual/bicultural education, secondary teaching, community organizing, and international work.

In addition to its instructional activity, LASP sponsors a wide variety of activities, brings scholars of Latin America to campus, and fosters institutional linkages.

Undergraduate Programs

The program offers the Certificate in Latin American Studies and a minor in Latin American studies. The certificate or minor may be earned in conjunction with a major in international studies, or it may be combined with study in a number of other programs, including majors in anthropology, history, political science, and Spanish and Portuguese; minors in any of these disciplines; or the Certificate in International Business. All students plan their programs in close cooperation with Latin American studies advisors.

Certificate

The Certificate in Latin American Studies requires a minimum of 24 s.h. in courses chosen from the list of LASP-approved courses (see "Approved LASP Courses" below). Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the certificate. Courses must include the following. 

130:070 Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 s.h.
130:176 Latin American Studies Seminar 3 s.h.
At least 6 s.h. in each of two or more of the following departments: anthropology, history, 
political science, Spanish and Portuguese 12 s.h.
Four semesters (or equivalent) of Spanish or Portuguese language course work 

LASP-approved courses that apply toward the student's major also may be applied toward the LASP certificate.

Courses applied toward the LASP certificate may be used to complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program or the requirements for a major or a minor. The certificate is awarded only upon completion of a bachelor's degree. Holders of Iowa bachelor's degrees may return to complete the requirements for a certificate. A student may not be awarded both a minor and a certificate in Latin American studies.

Minor

The minor in Latin American studies requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in Latin-American studies-related courses, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. For the minor, 100-level courses are considered advanced. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.

Courses for the minor should be chosen from approved courses (see "Approved LASP Courses" below). Because the Latin American studies minor is interdisciplinary, students majoring in anthropology, history, political science, or Spanish and Portuguese may not count more than 6 s.h. from courses in their major department toward the minor. Students are strongly encouraged to take either or both of the following. 

130:070 Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 s.h.
130:176 Latin American Studies Seminar 3 s.h.

Courses Approved for LASP

The following courses are approved for the Certificate in Latin American Studies and for the minor. Courses that are not listed here but that are concerned in part with Latin America sometimes may be used as electives to satisfy requirements for the certificate or the minor; see "Rotating Topics" below and consult the LASP director.

ANTHROPOLOGY 
113:131 Latin American Economy and Society 3 s.h.
113:132/130:176/035:176/038:176/048:153 Latin American Studies Seminar 3 s.h.
113:163 Archaeology of Mesoamerica 3 s.h.
113:166 The Aztecs, Their Predecessors, and Their Contemporaries 3 s.h.

ART 
01H:105 Art of Pre-Columbian America 3 s.h.
CINEMA AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 
048:024 Introduction to Latin American Film 3 s.h.
048:153/130:176/035:176/038:176/113:132 Latin American Studies Seminar 3 s.h.
048:178 Topics in Latin American Cinema 3 s.h.
COMMUNICATION STUDIES 
036:152 Latin American Media 3 s.h.
ENGLISH 
008:133 Inter-American Studies (when content is Latin American) 3 s.h.
HISTORY 
16W:106 Society and Revolution in Cuba 3 s.h.
16W:107 History of Mexico 3 s.h.
16W:110 Topics in Latin American History 3 s.h.
16W:111 Colonial Latin America 3 s.h.
16W:112 Introduction to Modern Latin America 3 s.h.
16W:114 Latin America and the U.S.: The Historical Perspective 3 s.h.
16W:115 Latin American Revolution 3 s.h.
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES 
187:070/035:070/038:070/130:070 Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 s.h.
187:142 Introduction to Caribbean Studies 3 s.h.
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES 
130:070 Introduction to Latin American Studies (required for certificate students, recommended for minors) 3 s.h.
130:105 Independent Study arr.
130:176 Latin American Studies Seminar (required for certificate students, recommended for minors) 3 s.h.

MUSIC 
025:104 Music of Latin America and the Caribbean 3 s.h.
025:163 Steel Band 1 s.h.

POLITICAL SCIENCE 
030:144 Latin American Politics 3 s.h.
030:145 Latin American Political Parties 3 s.h.

PORTUGUESE 
038:020 Contemporary Brazilian Narrative 3 s.h.
038:070/130:070/035:070/187:070 Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 s.h.
038:077 Brazil: The Erotic/Exotic Lure 3 s.h.
038:105 Brazilian Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
038:106 Brazilian Literature After 1900 3 s.h.
038:112 Topics in Luso-Brazilian Literature (when topic is Latin American) 3 s.h.
038:115 Writing Brazil in the U.S. 3 s.h.
038:120 Topics in Luso-Brazilian Culture (when topic is Latin American) 3 s.h.
038:176/035:176/048:153/113:132/130:176 Latin American Studies Seminar 3 s.h.

SPANISH 
035:020 Contemporary Spanish American Narrative 3 s.h.
035:070/187:070/130:070/038:070 Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 s.h.
035:111 Readings in Spanish American Literature and Culture 3 s.h.
035:113 Screening Latin America 3 s.h.
035:130 Spanish American Civilization 3 s.h.
035:131 Contemporary Spanish American Fiction 3 s.h.
035:132 Spanish American Poetry 3 s.h.
035:134 Spanish American Short Story 3 s.h.
035:136 Culture and Language in the Andes 3 s.h.
035:140 Spanish American Literature of Fantasy 3 s.h.
035:142/187:142 Introduction to Caribbean Studies 3 s.h.
035:144/131:162 Latin American Women Writers 3 s.h.
035:145 Latin America Cinema 3 s.h.
035:171 Pan-Caribbean Literary Currents 3 s.h.
035:173 Colonial Spanish American Literature 3 s.h.
035:175 Cultural Identity in Caribbean Literature 3 s.h.
035:176/048:153/130:176/038:176/113:132 Latin American Studies Seminar 3 s.h.
035:191/048:178 Topics in Latin American Cinema 3 s.h.

Rotating Topics

With prior approval, students may use these courses to satisfy requirements for the Certificate in Latin American Studies or for the minor when the course topic or focus is Latin America.

008:098 Honors Proseminar 4 s.h.
16W:051 Colloquium for History Majors (World) 3 s.h.
048:112 Proseminar in Cinema and Culture 1-2 s.h.
035:148 Topics in Cinema, Literature, and Society 3 s.h.
035:192 Topics in Film Studies 3 s.h.
035:195 Senior Seminar 3 s.h.
113:109 Literature and Anthropology 3 s.h.

Study Abroad

It is highly recommended, though not required, that students have an in-depth Latin American cultural experience, usually through study abroad, before completing their undergraduate requirements.

In cooperation with the Office for Study Abroad, LASP faculty members facilitate student participation in programs in many different Latin American countries. Programs range from intensive language study to group programs with a special focus. University of Iowa-sponsored study abroad programs include summer programs with Universidad de Guanajuato in Mexico, Universidad de los Andes in Venezuela, and a health and nutrition program in Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic.

University of Iowa students may enroll in programs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, and Uruguay. The University of Iowa cosponsors these programs through various consortiums.

Study abroad courses may be counted toward requirements for the certificate and the minor, subject to prior approval by the LASP director.

Financial Support

Students are encouraged to apply for a Stanley Undergraduate Scholarship for International Research/Fieldwork through University of Iowa International Programs. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding University of Iowa undergraduates who, in close consultation with a faculty member, propose well-conceived, small-scale research or fieldwork projects that require travel abroad. Students may conduct projects while participating in a study abroad program and may combine the scholarship with other awards and financial assistance. For information regarding other scholarships, contact LASP advisors, International Programs staff, and the LASP director.

Activities

In addition to its instructional activity, LASP organizes a range of public programming activities each semester, including film series, photography and art exhibits, conferences, roundtable discussions, and lectures. Recent events have included an international conference on contemporary Cuba and speakers on cinema, indigenous movements, human rights, and art.
Copyright 2009 The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
Updated October 2009