Program Requirements - Major

STANDARD CONCENTRATION CORE COURSES

During the sophomore year, students in this major should take the following three courses: LST 200, Founding Myths and Cultural Conquest in Latin America; LST 201, Social Diversity in Latin America; LST 202, Multicultualism in the United States: The Construction of Latino Communities.

In the senior year, students in this major should take Latin American and Latino Studies 390 Senior Seminar.

SPANISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Majors must complete at least two 200-level Spanish courses. For majors whose Spanish language skills place them beyond the 200-level, a minimum of two 300-1evel Spanish courses is required. Students who need to complete the three-course intermediate Spanish language sequence prerequisite for the major may substitute the sequence for two Liberal Studies domain courses and one open elective.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

In addition to the core courses and Spanish requirement, in consultation with their advisor majors choose another six elective courses. In selecting courses, students are encouraged to concentrate in one of four areas:

Latin American History
Contemporary Issues in Latin America
L atin American Culture and Experience
The U.S. Latino Community

Program Requirements - Minor

A minor in Latin American and Latino Studies offers the non-major a solid, interdisciplinary introduction to the Latin American region and the U.S. Latino communities. The minor is composed of six courses. From the core courses, minors may choose either Latin American and Latino Studies 200, Founding Myths and Cultural Conquest in Latin America; or 201 Social Diversity in Latin America. Latin America and Latino Studies 202 Multiculturalism in the U.S.: The Construction of Latino Communities is required of all minors. The remaining four courses may be chosen from among the courses approved for Latin American and Latino Studies credit. Minor are encouraged to take LST 390 Senior Seminar.

STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in DePaul's quarter abroad program in Merída, México or one of the University's other short-term travel abroad programs in Latin America, for example in El Salvador.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Students are strongly encouraged to include an internship as part of their academic experience. Internships may be arranged with either a Latino community organization, a US-based organization that focuses on Latin America, or, as part of a study abroad experience, with public service organization in a Latin American country.


Core Courses

LST 200 Founding Myths and Cultural Conquest in Latin America

This is an interdisciplinary introduction to Latin America prior to independence (early 1800s). Central themes include multiculturalism, ethnicity, identity, colonialism, pre- and post-colonial social organization and stratification, and forms of conflict and rebellion.

LST 201 Social Diversity in Latin America

This is an interdisciplinary introduction to Latin American focusing on the period after independence (19th and 20th centuries). Central themes include issues of dependence, independence and interdependence; development and underdevelopment; revolution and counterrevolution; democracy and authoritarianism; racism and classism in the Americas; Latin American migration and Latinos in the U.S.; and the debates about meaning of " America" and the Americas.

LST 202 Multiculturalism in the United States: The Construction of Latino Communities

This is an introductory course designed to present the concept of multiculturalism by highlighting the experiences of the major Latino groups in the United States. It brings together insights from history, economics, politics, sociology, geography, anthropology, literature, film and art to explore the social and cultural experiences of the Latino communities. The course deals with issues of immigration, relationships to home countries, border cultures, identity, and strategies for empowerment.

LST 203 Cultural Studies Across the Americas

This course introduces students to the major currents and ideas in the critical inquiry of culture. Using a diversity of texts and critical domains, we explore the meaning of culture within the context of cultural studies in the Americas.

LST 300 Special Topics in Latin American Studies

Topics may vary.

LST 305 Latino Communities and Social Engagement

In-depth, critical examination of different Latino communities. Topics include: Mexican-American Community, Puerto Rican Community and Cuban-American Communities. This is a service learning experience.

LST 306 Latino Communities in Chicago

This course studies Latino Communites, focusing on their cultural and historical construction from a community based learning experience.

LST 307 Growing Up Latino/Latina in the U.S.

A critical as well as a community based examination of the experiences of growing up as a Latino/Latina person in the United States.

LST 308 Motherhood in Latino Communities

This is an intellectual, as well as a community based exploration of motherhood in Latino communities and the theories of motherhood in feminist criticism throughout Latin America.

LST 310 Special Topics in U.S. Latino Studies

Topics may vary

LST 390 Senior Seminar

A capstone course that integrates the students' prior course work and experiences by allowing the student to define a final culminating project. The seminar involves the extensive participation of Latin American and Latino Studies Program faculty.

LST 392 Internship

LST 394 Thesis

LST 395 Travel/Study

LST 399 Independent Study