Latin American and Latinx Studies, Bachelor of Arts
The Latin American and Latinx 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 Latinx Studies and a specialization in either Latin American Studies or Latinx Studies.
Learning outcomes. Students will:
- Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the study of Latin America and of Latinx communities in the U.S.
- Integrate the fields of Latin American Studies and Latinx 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 Latinx people 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. Latinx 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 Latinx Studies Major (depending on foreign language placement)
|
33-43 |
| General Education |
42 |
| Electives |
35-45 |
| Total Credits Required for B.A. Degree |
120 |
Coordinator. Professor Brian Montes, Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies (212-237-8749, bmontes@jjay.cuny.edu)
Advisors. Professors Jose Luis Morin (212.393.6481, jmorin@jjay.cuny.edu) and Isabel Martinez (212.237.8674, imartinez@jjay.cuny.edu), Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies
Advising resources. Latin American and Latinx Studies Major Advising Resources including a Sample Four-year Plan of Study
Other information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2020 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2019–2020 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Foundational Course
Required depending on foreign language placement
| POR 102 | Elementary Portuguese II | 3 |
| SPA 102 | Introductory Spanish II | 3 |
| SPA 112 | Introductory Spanish II for Heritage Students | 3 |
Advisor's recommendation:
POR 102 or
SPA 102 or
SPA 112 satisfy the John Jay College Option: Communications area of the Gen Ed Program.
Total Credit Hours: 0-3
Part One. Required Core Courses
Required
| LLS 124 | Latinx Communities in the United States | 3 |
| LLS 130 | Introduction to Latin American History | 3 |
| LLS 242/POL 242/HIS 242 | U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America | 3 |
| LLS 322 | Latinx Struggles for Civil Rights & Social Justice | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 12
Part Two. Research Methods
Required
| LLS 315 | Research Methods in Latin American and Latinx 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 Latinx 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) to place out of this requirement.
POR 201 is typically offered in the fall semesters. 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 Latin American Literature & 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 | 3 |
| LLS 280 | Selected Topics in Latin American and Latinx Studies | 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 |
LLS 280 can satisfy Track A. Latin America if the course topic is appropriate.
Track B: U.S. Latinx Experience
| LLS 100 | Latinx People and Justice in New York: Freshman Year Seminar | 3 |
| LLS 203 | U.S. Latinx Identity in the 21st Century | 3 |
| LLS 217 | Theater of Americas since 1960 | 3 |
| LLS 241 | Latinx Populations and the City | 3 |
| LLS 247 | Growing Up Latinx | 3 |
| LLS 267/AFR 267/HIS 267 | History of Caribbean Migrations to the United States | 3 |
| LLS 325 | Latinx Experience of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| LLS 341 | Immigrant Rights in the Americas | 3 |
| LLS 362 | Entangled Tongues: Bilingualism in U.S. Latinx Literature | 3 |
| LLS 363 | Il-Legal Subjects: U.S. Latinx Literature and the Law | 3 |
| LLS 364 | Ethical Strains in U.S. Latinx Literature | 3 |
| LLS 401 | Seminar in Latinx Issues: Gender, Race, Ethnicity and the Legal System | 3 |
| LIT 265 | Foundations of U.S. Latinx Literature | 3 |
| LIT 357 | Violence of Language: U.S. Latinx Street Literature | 3 |
| LIT 383 | Gender and Sexuality in U.S. Latinx Literature | 3 |
Note: LLS 100 is only open to freshman. LLS 280 can fulfill Track B. U.S. Latinx Experience if topic is appropriate.
Total Credit Hours: 12
Part Six. Capstone Experience
Required
| LLS 425 | Senior Seminar in Latin American and Latinx 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: 33-43