Latin America Concentration

latin american city

Latin America

The concentration in Latin America focuses on the history, folklore, culture, and literature of Latin America and the Caribbean.  The close proximity of this region to the United States and our long history of interactions with the area make it a very important area for US foreign policy and for American commercial interests.  The stark disparities of economic conditions and environmental endowments across the Americas draw attention to the need for sustainable development.

Language Requirement:

Students must demonstrate competency in Spanish.  (Competency means the equivalent of six semesters of Spanish.)

LSU Courses in the Latin America Concentration:

  • AAAS 4323/ENGL 4323 – Studies in Caribbean Literature (3) May be taken for a maximum of 6 semester hours of credit when topics vary.Critical analysis of major figures and texts of fiction, drama and poetry.
  • ANTH 4003 – Indian Civilization of Middle and South America (3) Ancient Maya, Aztec and Inca civilizations; modern Indian groups in Latin America.
  • ANTH 4023 – Latin American Cultures (3) Spanish-American cultures in Latin America; their relationship to current societal changes.
  • GEOG 4031 – Latin America and the Caribbean (3) Physical and cultural geography of Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • HIST 2085 – Colonial Latin America (3) This is a General Education course.Colonial period emphasizing the European background, explorations, political and economic systems and wars of independence.
  • HIST 4081 – The Caribbean: 1492-1830 (3) Nature of and changes in economic and political institutions after European colonization, international conflicts, and abolition of slavery, primarily in the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
  • HIST 4083 – Mexico: The National Period (3) Political, economic and social development since Independence.
  • INTL 3995 – Study Abroad in Latin America (1-6) May be repeated for up to 12 hours credit when topics vary.Studies in the history, culture, economics, politics or geography of Latin America.
  • POLI 4065 – Latin American Governments and Politics (3) Governmental and political processes of Latin America; their contributions to modern government.
  • SPAN 3043 – Introduction to Latin American Literature I (3) Prerequisite:SPAN 3020. Reading and analysis of representative selections from pre-Columbian period through independence.
  • SPAN 3044 – Introduction to Latin American Literature II (3) Prerequisite:SPAN 3020. Reading and analysis of representative literature from independence to the present.
  • SPAN 3074 – Advanced Readings on Hispanic-American Civilization (3) Prerequisite:SPAN 3010. Parallels SPAN 3073 but focuses on the Hispanic-American countries.
  • SPAN 4144 – Latin American Literature: 1492-1810 (3) Prerequisite:one literature course in Spanish at the 3000 level or consent of instructor. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours of credit when topics vary. Topics in colonial Latin American literature from 1492-1810.
  • SPAN 4145 – Latin American Literature: 1810-1915 (3) Prerequisite:one literature course in Spanish at the 3000 level or consent of instructor. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours of credit when topics vary. Topics in Latin American literature from independence through modernismo (1810-1915).
  • SPAN 4146 – Latin American Literature: 1915-1960 (3) Prerequisite:one literature course in Spanish at the 3000 level or consent of instructor. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours of credit when topics vary. Topics in Latin American literature from the historical avante garde to 1960.
  • SPAN 4147 – Latin American Literature: 1960-Present (3) Prerequisite:one literature course in Spanish at the 3000 level and permission of department. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours of credit when topics vary. Topics in Latin American literature from 1960 to the present.
  • SPAN 4201 – Cinema in Spanish (3) Prerequisite:consent of instructor. Screening and analysis of representative films from Spain and Latin America and their interrelations with literature.


Note: Course offerings will vary from semester to semester, and there are invariably new courses or special topics classes which are applicable to this concentration but do not appear on the list below.  A scheduling guide listing course offerings will be circulated before scheduling begins for each semester.  Also students who study abroad can ask to count courses taken abroad toward their concentration.  Generally any course focusing on Latin America since 1492 can be applied to the concentration.

Study Abroad Options:

Study Abroad options for this concentration are numerous and include several semester and academic year exchange programs in the region.  Students have recently studied abroad in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Argentina, and Chile.  LSU summer programs vary year by year, recent summer programs have visited Cuba and Argentina.  Please visit the Academic Programs Abroad for more information.

 

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