Latin American Studies
Latin
American Studies courses
Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies home page
Director of undergraduate studies: Marcello Canuto, 51 Hillhouse Ave., 432-6610, marcello.canuto@yale.edu
FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM OF LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
Professors
Rolena Adorno (Spanish & Portuguese), Mark Ashton (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Richard Burger (Anthropology), Hazel Carby (African American Studies, American Studies), Carlos Eire (History, Religious Studies), Eduardo Engel (Economics), Aníbal González (Spanish & Portuguese), Roberto González Echevarría (Spanish & Portuguese), K. David Jackson (Spanish & Portuguese), Gilbert Joseph (History), Enrique Mayer (Anthropology), Mary Miller (History of Art), Florencia Montagnini (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Patricia Pessar (Adjunct) (American Studies), Stephen Pitti (History), T. Paul Schultz (Economics), Stuart Schwartz (History), Susan Stokes (Political Science), Robert Thompson (History of Art), Noël Valis (Spanish & Portuguese), Elisabeth Wood (Political Science)
Associate Professors
Richard Bribiescas (Anthropology), Alicia Schmidt Camacho (American Studies), Lisa Curran (Forestry & Environmental Studies), Jaime Lara (Divinity School), Michael Veal (Music)
Assistant Professors
Jennifer Bair (Sociology), Irene Brambilla (Economics), Marcello Canuto (Anthropology), Jason Cortés (Spanish & Portuguese), Thad Dunning (Political Science), Seth Fein (History, American Studies), Moira Fradinger (Comparative Literature), Lillian Guerra (History), Susan Hyde (Political Science), Oscar Martín (Spanish & Portuguese), Priscilla Meléndez (Spanish & Portuguese), Pauline Ochoa Espejo (Political Science)
Lecturers
Paulo Moreira (Spanish & Portuguese), Nancy Ruther (Political Science)
Senior Lectors
Sybil Alexandrov, Marta Almeida, Teresa Carballal, Mercedes Carreras, Beatriz Peña, Juliana Ramos-Ruano, Lissette Reymundi, Lourdes Sabé-Colom, Terry Seymour, Margherita Tórtora, Sonia Valle, Alicia van Altena
Lectors
Christine Atkins, Yovanna Cifuentes, Ame Cividanes, Sebastián Díaz, Oscar González Barreto, María Jordán, Tania Martuscelli, Barbara Safille, Tricia Walter
The major in Latin American Studies is designed to further understanding of the societies and cultures of Latin America as viewed from regional and global perspectives. The Latin American Studies major builds on a foundation of language and literature, history, history of art, theater studies, humanities, and the social sciences; its faculty is drawn from many departments and professional schools of the University.
The major. The major in Latin American Studies is interdisciplinary. With two goals in mind—intellectual coherence and individual growth—the student proposes a course of study that must satisfy the requirements listed below. The proposed course of study must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Though all students choose courses in both the humanities and the social sciences, they are expected to concentrate on one or the other.
Prerequisite to the major is knowledge of the two dominant languages of the region, Spanish and Portuguese. Depending on their interests, students select one language for two years of instruction and the other for one. Other languages necessary for research may in appropriate circumstances be substituted for the second language with the consent of the director of undergraduate studies. Students are encouraged to meet the language requirements as early as possible. Courses used to satisfy the language prerequisite may not be counted toward the major.
The major itself requires twelve term courses: one introductory required course, ANTH 207a; eight courses related to Latin America from departmental offerings or the list of electives in the printed YCPS; two further electives, preferably seminars; and the senior essay, LAST 491a or b. The eight Latin American content courses must be selected from the following categories: two courses in the social sciences (anthropology, economics, political science, or sociology), two courses in history, two courses in Spanish American or Brazilian literatures beyond the language requirement, one course in history of art or theater studies, and a seminar. Recommended courses are HIST 355a, LAST 314b, SPAN 266a, and 267b.
Students must enroll in three seminars or upper-level courses during their junior and senior years. For a list of seminars students should consult the director of undergraduate studies. Elective seminars must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
The senior essay is a research paper written usually in one term (LAST 491a or b). Students choose their own topics, which may derive from research done in an earlier course. The essay is planned in advance in consultation with a qualified adviser and a second reader.
In preparing the senior essay, students may undertake field research in Latin America. Support for research is available to recipients of an Albert Bildner Travel Prize, for which application should be made in the spring of the junior year. Students may also apply for summer travel grants through the Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies. Information about these and other grants is available on the Yale Grants & Fellowships Web site.
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of study abroad opportunities during summers or through the Year or Term Abroad program.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisites: 2 years of 1 lang (Spanish or Portuguese), 1 year of the other
Number of courses: 12 term courses beyond prereqs (incl senior essay)
Distribution of courses: 8 courses related to Latin America in specified fields, one a sem from approved list; 2 electives; 3 sems or upper-level courses in junior and senior years
Specific course required: ANTH 207a
Senior requirement: Senior essay (LAST 491a or b)
