Course Descriptions

SPAN A100 First-year Spanish I 3 crs.
This course looks at the fundamental structure of the language stressing the development of the four basic skills: comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.

SPAN A101 First-year Spanish II 3 crs.
This is a continued study of the fundamental structure of the language that stresses the development of the four basic skills: comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.
Prerequisite: SPAN A100 or equivalent.

SPAN A200 Second-year Spanish I 3 crs.
This course focuses on grammar and vocabulary review and development, stressing especially conversation, reading, and composition, along with culture.
Prerequisite: SPAN A101 or equivalent.

SPAN A201 Second-year Spanish II 3 crs.
This course offers further development of grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and reading skills, with an emphasis on intermediate conversation, composition, and culture.
Prerequisite: SPAN A200 or equivalent.

SPAN A300 Syntax and Composition 3 crs.
This course is an intensive study of grammar, sentence structure, and translation difficulties, with extensive written practice in Spanish. Literary and/or periodical texts will serve as points of departure for discussion and models for clear style.
Prerequisite: SPAN A201 or equivalent.

SPAN A301 Intensive Conversation 3 crs.
This course places an emphasis on oral expression, with exercises designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of conversational Spanish. Native speakers are excluded from enrollment.
Prerequisite: SPAN A201 or equivalent.

SPAN A340  Spanish American Literature I 3 crs.
This course is a survey of Latin-American literature from the pre-contract period to the Romantic movement. 
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301, or permission from instructor.

SPAN A341  Spanish-American Literature II 3 crs.
This course is a survey of Latin-American literature from the the Romantic movement through to the beginning of the 21st century. 
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301, or permission from instructor.

ISPAN A456 Spanish-American Narrative 3 crs.
This course offers readings and discussion of Latin-American novels and/or short stories.
Prerequisite: any A300-level course or instructor’s permission.

LAS H295 "Revolution! Latin America/Middle East" 3 crs.
This course compares the revolutions in Central America in the last half of the 2oth Century to similar events in Western Asia by looking at literature and film production from these places. A strong historical component consists of how US foreign policy affected these situations before, during, and after the actual revolutions.

LAS U294 Intro to Latin American Studies I 3 crs.
An introduction to to the various methodological approaches to multi-disciplinary studies of Latin America.

LAS V294 Chicana/o, Latina/o Literature 3 crs.
A survey course that traces the development of film production across Latin America.

HIST A220 Latin America I 3 crs.
This course is a survey of pre-Columbian civilizations; European discovery and conquest; structure and problems of empire in Latin and Portuguese America; the influence of the church; and the struggle for independence.

HIST A221 Modern Latin America 3 crs.
This course is a socio-economic, cultural, and political analysis of Latin American Republics since 1820. Emphasis is on the development of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Topics include problems and prospects, clash between the traditional and the modern, conflicts between church and state, and inter-American relations.

HIST W266 The Quest for Empire 3 crs.
Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Pre-modern
Should early European explorers and colonists be remembered primarily as folk heroes or as slave-trading exploiters of other cultures? In this course, we will let the early explorers and colonists speak for themselves through the vivid writings they have left. Group discussion of primary sources will be an important part of the course.

HIST A410 History of Mexico 3 crs.
This course covers the history of Mexico from Aztec times to the present. Emphasis on dominant social, economic, and cultural trends.

HIST A414 Northern South America 3 crs.
This course covers the history of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador including pre-Columbian past, Spanish Conquest, Colonial Period, 19th and 20th century. Emphasis is on dominant political, social, economic, and cultural trends. The course surveys the impact of the gold, cacao, oil, coffee, and drug economies. Studies will include liberalism, conservatism, and radical challenges to the established order.

HIST X241 Drugs, Terrorism, and Democracy 3 crs.
Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern
The U.S. has a complex relationship with Latin America. This course seeks to explain the three most important issues in that relationship today–drugs, democracy, and terrorism–from the widely divergent perspectives of the two cultures.

HIST X243 Social Revolutions in Latin America 3 crs.
Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern
This course analyzes social revolutions in Latin America including the 1910 Mexican Revolution, the 1959 Cuban Revolution, and the frustrated 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s revolutions in Central America. Works used are outstanding histories on the revolutions as well as recognized artistic works, including films, novels, and short stories. The course will consider the causes of revolutions, their leaders and ideology, their successes and failures, and the lessons to be learned.

SOCI X250 Encountering the Caribbean 3 crs.
Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern
Caribbean societies are varied in their social, political, and cultural characteristics, but united by their history of colonialism and struggles for national independence and political and economic autonomy. This course examines the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that have shaped Caribbean societies.

SOCI A258 U.S. Immigration: History and Policy 3 crs.
This course is designed to help students develop awareness, understanding and critical engagement of the issues of immigration. The course interdisciplinary and incorporates sociolgy, law, political science, philosophy, history, public health, and economics. The course will begin by examining the philosophy of immigration policy and the history of immigration in the United States. It will then move to the economic and social implications of immigration, and pay particular attention to 20th century Latin American migration to the U.S. Students will also read and discuss particular policy issues (border, immigration court system) in order to develop individual analyses and responses to teh issues that confront policy makers and the immigrants themselves. The course will require the students to think critically in developing new approaches to immigration policy.

SOCI A260 Women in Latin America 3 crs.
This course examines the social-structural context, daily realities, and contributions of Latin American women in the economy, politics, and the arts, with an emphasis on the 20th century. In so doing, the course also aims to convey a more thorough understanding of contemporary Latin American societies.

SOCI A400 Third World Repression/ Revolution 3 crs.
This course examines sociological perspectives on the causes and outcomes of revolution in the Third World (Asia, Africa, and Latin America). Special attention is given to the cultural politics of revolution, including the role of art, film, literature, and education in forging new national identities, ideologies, and practices.

INTB B340 Business Environment and Practices in Latin America 3 crs.
This course aims at developing skills essential for being an effective manager either in Latin America or with a business that does business in that region; and understanding how U.S.-based companies may profit from the prospects emerging from the current social, political, and economic landscape in Latin America. Discussion will be centered on identifying, analyzing, and comparing the factors surrounding such markets, and on understanding the implications of such elements for organizations and managers, highlighting business practices and cross-cultural differences. Students will also develop "country profiles" of Latin American nations or markets. The course method includes lectures and case discussions, as well as numerous local and foreign guest speakers.
Prerequisite: Junior standing

SPAN A351 Culture of Spanish America from 1850 3 crs.
Continuation of SPAN A350. The course aims to study the cultural heritage that has shaped the newly formed nations of Latin America from 1850 up to the present.
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301, or permission from instructor.
 

SPAN A455 20th-century Currents 3 crs.
This course offers readings and discussion of 20th-century literary trends, including film, from Spain and/or Latin America. Topics vary, depending on semester, but may include the Generation of 1898 in Spain, modernism, fantastic literature, Indigenista literature of Latin America, or Latin-American women writers. Repeatable when subject varies.
Prerequisite: any A300-level course or instructor’s permission.