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
Total Credit Hours: 12
Part Two. Research Methods
Required
| LLS 315 | Research Methods in Latin American and Latina/o Studies | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 3
Part Three. Study Abroad, Fieldwork, or Independent Research
Required, Select one option:
- Study Abroad in Latin America (3 credits will be earned from the course offered as part of the study abroad program)
- LLS 321 Puerto Rican/Latina/o Community Fieldwork (4 credits)
- LLS 389 Independent Study Research Project (3 credits)
Total Credit Hours: 3-4
Part Four. Language Requirement
Students are required to take one 200-level course in Spanish or Portuguese.
Please note: Students 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 207, SPA 308 and SPA 335 do NOT fulfill this language requirement. They are taught in English.
Total Credit Hours: 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 110 | Popular Music of the Caribbean | 3 |
| LLS 215 | Socio-Political Developments in Contemporary Puerto Rico | 3 |
| LLS 220 | Human Rights and Law in Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 223 | Revolution & Social Change in LA Lit & Arts | 3 |
| LLS 227 | Indigenous Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 232/AFR 232 | Comparative Perspectives on Crime in the Caribbean | 3 |
| LLS 245 | Dominican Society and Identity | 3 |
| LLS 250 | Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 255 | Latin American Woman in Global Society | 3 |
| LLS 260/HIS 260 | History of Contemporary Cuba | 3 |
| LLS 261/HIS 261 | Revolution and Social Change in Contemporary Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 263/AFR 263/HIS 263 | Blacks in Latin America (was African Heritage in Caribbean) | 3 |
| LLS 341 | Immigrant Rights in the Americas | 3 |
| LLS 343 | Race and Citizenship in the Americas | 3 |
| LLS 356 | Terror and Transitional Justice in Latin America | 3 |
Track B: U.S. Latina/os
| LLS 217 | Theater of Americas since 1960 | 3 |
| LLS 241 | Latina/os & the City | 3 |
| LLS 247 | Growing Up Latina/o | 3 |
| LLS 267/AFR 267/HIS 267 | History of Caribbean Migrations to the United States | 3 |
| LLS 325 | Latina/o Experience of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| LLS 362 | Entangled Tongues: Bilingualism in U.S. Latino/a Literature | 3 |
| LLS 363 | Il-Legal Subjects: U.S. Latino/a Lit & the Law | 3 |
| LLS 364 | Ethical Strains in U.S. Latino/a Literature | 3 |
| LLS 401 | Seminar in Latina/o Issues: Gender, Race, Ethnicity and the Legal System | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 12
Part Six. Capstone Experience
Required
| LLS 425 | Senior Seminar in Latin American and Latina/o Studies: Issues of Justice and Injustice | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 3
Part Seven. LLS Honors Option
Required to earn honors in the Latin American and Latina/o Studies major
NOTE: Students must qualify for Honors in the LLS major to enroll in LLS 487 Independent Honors Project, see the major coordinator.
Total Credit Hours: 0-3
Total Credit Hours: 33-40