2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin

Latin American and Latina/o Studies, Bachelor of Arts

The Latin American and Latina/o Studies major draws on various social science disciplines, such as sociology, political science, anthropology and economics, as well as on disciplines in the humanities, including history, literature and the arts. By integrating these varied disciplines in the LLS courses, this major is designed to ensure that students will have both a comprehensive foundational and interdisciplinary knowledge of Latin American and Latina/o Studies and a specialization in either Latin American Studies or Latina/o Studies.

Learning outcomes. Students will:

  • Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the study of Latin America and of Latina/o communities in the U.S.
  • Integrate the fields of Latin American Studies and Latina/o Studies to develop a deep understanding of the relationship between the social, economic, cultural, and political processes of Latin America and the development in the U.S. of communities of persons of Latin American origin or descent.
  • Grasp the relationship between the lives of individuals and the course of history, how one’s life intersects with larger social, political, and economic forces.
  • Appreciate the history of Latin America and that of Latina/os in the U.S. as they struggle for justice and human dignity in the face of persistent structures of injustice, inequality, and the abuse of power.
  • Think critically and evaluate contrasting texts, narratives, and discourses relevant to the diverse cultures of Latin America and U.S. Latina/o communities.
  • Carry out a research project (fieldwork-based or library-based) that includes formulating and justifying a research question, collecting and analyzing data, and articulating conclusions.
  • Communicate research results in various formats, including written and oral presentation.
  • Possess cultural competency, the ability to work successfully in a variety of culturally diverse settings and to analyze, contextualize and interpret culture/cultural behaviors and beliefs.

Credits Required.

Latin American and Latina/o Studies Major (depending on foreign language placement)
33-40
General Education 42
Electives 38-45
Total Credits Required for B.A. Degree 120


Prerequisites
. Depending on foreign language placement, students may have to complete the 101-102 (or 111-112) language sequence as prerequisites for the 200-level Spanish or Portuguese requirement. The 101 (or 111) course satisfies the Flexible Core: World Cultures and Global Issues category and the 102 (or 112) course satisfies the College Option: Communications category of the Gen Ed program.

Coordinator. Professor Brian Montes, Department of Latin American and Latina/o Studies (212-237-8749, bmontes@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advising resources. Sample Four-year Plan of Study

Part One. Required Core Courses

Required

LLS 124Latina/os in the U.S.

3

LLS 130Introduction to Latin American History

3

LLS 242/POL 242/HIS 242U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America

3

LLS 322Latina/o Struggles for Civil Rights & Social Justice

3

Subtotal: 12

Part Two. Research Methods

Required

LLS 315Research Methods in Latin American and Latina/o Studies

3

Subtotal: 3

Part Three. Study Abroad, Fieldwork, or Independent Research

Required, Select one option:

  1. Study Abroad in Latin America (3 credits will be earned from the course offered as part of the study abroad program)
  2. LLS 321 Puerto Rican/Latina/o Community Fieldwork (4 credits)
  3. LLS 389 Independent Study Research Project (3 credits)


Subtotal: 3-4

Part Four. Language Requirement

Students are required to take one 200-level course in Spanish or Portuguese.

Please noteStudents who have prior knowledge of  Portuguese or Spanish can take a placement exam in the Modern Language Center, (212-484-1140, languagelab@jjay.cuny.edu). 

SPA 207SPA 308 and SPA 335 do NOT fulfill this language requirement. They are taught in English.

Subtotal: 0-3

Part Five. Electives

Students must choose a track and select three courses. In the other track, students must select one course. At least six credits must be taken at the 300-level or above.

Track A: Latin America

LLS 110/MUS 110Popular Music of the Caribbean

3

LLS 215Socio-Political Developments in Contemporary Puerto Rico

3

LLS 220Human Rights and Law in Latin America

3

LLS 223Revolution & Social Change in LA Lit & Arts

3

LLS 227Indigenous Latin America

3

LLS 232/AFR 232Comparative Perspectives on Crime in the Caribbean

3

LLS 245Dominican Society and Identity

3

LLS 250Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin America

3

LLS 255Latin American Woman in Global Society

3

LLS 260/HIS 260History of Contemporary Cuba

3

LLS 261/HIS 261Revolution and Social Change in Contemporary Latin America

3

LLS 263/AFR 263/HIS 263Blacks in Latin America (was African Heritage in Caribbean)

3

LLS 341Immigrant Rights in the Americas

3

LLS 343Race and Citizenship in the Americas

3

LLS 356Terror and Transitional Justice in Latin America

3


Track B: U.S. Latina/os

LLS 217Theater of Americas since 1960

3

LLS 241Latina/os & the City

3

LLS 247Growing Up Latina/o

3

LLS 267/AFR 267/HIS 267History of Caribbean Migrations to the United States

3

LLS 325Latina/o Experience of Criminal Justice

3

LLS 362Entangled Tongues: Bilingualism in U.S. Latino/a Literature

3

LLS 363Il-Legal Subjects: U.S. Latino/a Lit & the Law

3

LLS 364Ethical Strains in U.S. Latino/a Literature

3

LLS 401Seminar in Latina/o Issues: Gender, Race, Ethnicity and the Legal System

3


Subtotal: 12

Part Six. Capstone Experience

Required

LLS 425Senior Seminar in Latin American and Latina/o Studies: Issues of Justice and Injustice

3

Subtotal: 3

Part Seven. LLS Honors Option

Required to earn honors in the Latin American and Latina/o Studies major

LLS 487Independent Honors Project

3

NOTE: Students must qualify for Honors in the LLS major to enroll in LLS 487 Independent Honors Project, see the major coordinator.

Subtotal: 0-3

Total Credit Hours: 33-40