LAS T121 First-Year Seminar 3 crs.
Introductory Common Curriculum: First-Year Seminar
The gateway course to the Common Curriculum is the First-Year Seminar (FYS). This issues-based, interdisciplinary seminar introduces students to college-level thinking and learning as well as Jesuit values at the core of a Loyola education. This FYS has a specific topic within the scope of Latin American Studies. A full list of currently offered FYS courses can be found on the Loyola Online Records Access (LORA) system.
The Latin American Studies Program is interdisciplinary. The following are courses that satisfy its requirements:
LAS H295 Revolution! Latin America/Middle East 3 crs.
University Honors Program
This course compares Central American and Western Asian literature and film during the respective Marxist/Indigenous and Islamic revolutions. Through novels, short stories and film, the class analyzes specific revolutionary issues in Latin America with a comparative lens. The class considers how the nuanced human element of political unrest changes the dynamics of revolution in three different stages: before it becomes violent; during the event itself; and after the dust has settled. The class also considers what effects US foreign policy has had on these revolutions in Latin America and Western Asia, focusing on issues of social justice.
LAS J200: WAL: Latin American Literature 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Writing About Literature
This course offers readings, discussion and textual analysis of selected works, including narrative, drama and poetry by various Latin American authors. A writing intensive course, students learn how to read, think and write critically about literature while exploring the historical and cultural realities of the Latin American world(s). The specific readings change each semester but the types of literary genres and writing requirements are standard.
LAS J202 Salsa! Music, Society & Culture 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Creative Arts and Cultures
This course examines how Salsa, as a musical form and a commercial concept that represents an urban lifestyle, has evolved in response to the assimilation of the Puerto Rican minority in the United States. Salsa music is useful in examining the links between society and culture, and allows students to understand the ways in which the recording industry interprets collective sensibilities and histories in order to conceive and trade aesthetic commodities.
LAS J332: WAL: Indigenous Literatures of the Americas in Translation
Advanced Common Curriculum: Writing About Literature
RAC: Diversity
This course examines the literary and cinematic works of indigenous authors across the Americas. In this writing intensive course, students learn how to read, think and write critically about literature while exploring the historical and cultural realities of indigenous peoples in the Americas. The study of this literature adds nuance to the anthropological, sociological and historical “facts” to these different groups and their literatures. A focus on translation theory as the point of departure allows students a critical approach to these texts.
LAS J238: WAL: Central American Revolutions-A Literary Look 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Writing About Literature
RAC: Diversity
This course offers readings, discussion and textual analysis of selected works, including novels, short stories, drama, poetry and film by Central American authors during periods of revolution. In this writing intensive course, students learn how to read, think and write critically about literature while exploring the historical and cultural realities of Central America revolutions. The study of literature adds nuance to the sociological and historical “facts” of these events rather than seeing these revolutionary movements as monolithic. Students learn how to write about these nuances in meaningful ways.
This course replaces LAS V238
LAS J263 Creating Spanish America 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Creative Arts and Cultures
RAC: Diversity
This course examines creative forms incuding myth, architecture, ceramics, weaving, film, fiction, literature and ethics in Spanish America from the pre-Colombian past to the beginning of the 19th century. The juxtaposition of these artifacts and issues bring to the fore the diverse and predominant trends of each period and their interaction with historical and social forces. This course is cross-listed with SPAN J263.
LAS V220 Education and Social Change in Latin America 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Humanities/Arts Modern
RAC: Diversity
This course introduces students to the notion of curriculum as the educational product of contending forces within the society out of which it emerges. It relies heavily on the work of Paulo Freire and his sharp critique of the banking approach to education where knowledge is simply deposited and withdrawn. It explores the forces by which learners are induced or seduced to comply with the dominant ideologies and social practices related to authority, behavior, morality and/or spirituality. It imagines possibilities where all citizens participate freely and fully in the creation and recreation of meaning and values that make democracy healthy.
This course satisfies an Advanced Common Curriculum: Humanities/Arts Modern requirement for students who began their program of study before fall semester 2013. This course does not satisfy requirements for the 2013-2014 Common Curriculum.
LAS V230 Chicana/o, Latina/o Literature 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Humanities/Arts Modern
This course offers an introduction to the literature produced in the "Hispanic" borderlands of US culture. The early model for studying literatures/cultures in the US "borderlands" centered on whether the works advocated assimilation or resistance to the hegemony of whitebread U.S. culture. In this class, students look closely at the historical trajectory of several texts (novels, poetry, short stories, film, visual arts, manifestos) and consider if they offer viable alternatives to the binary model of assimilation or resistance.
This course satisfies an Advanced Common Curriculum: Humanities/Arts Modern requirement for students who began their program of study before fall semester 2013. This course does not satisfy requirements for the 2013-2014 Common Curriculum.
LAS V235 Women Writers of Spanish America 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Humanities/Arts Modern
This course provides a survey of major Spanish-American women writers of the 20th and 21st centuries, covering different literary periods, genres and countries (with emphasis on narrative). Through detailed discussion of the texts, films, and oral presentations, students explore the complex cultural and historical realities that have shaped the writings of Spanish American authors in general and women in particular. This course is cross-listed with SPAN V235.
This course satisfies an Advanced Common Curriculum: Humanities/Arts Modern requirement for students who began their program of study before fall semester 2013. This course does not satisfy requirements for the 2013-2014 Common Curriculum.
Major Courses in Other Disciplines
BIOL J250 Tropical Ecology 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Natural Science in Context
This course examines biology, ecology, and conservation of flora and fauna of tropical ecosystems.
Prerequisite: SCIE T129
This course replaces BIOL A118
BIOL J251 Tropical Ecology Fieldtrip 1 cr.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Natural Science in Context
This laboratory is a required study-abroad fieldtrip to a country such as Belize, Ecuador, or Panama to experience first-hand the unique natural history and unparalleled biodiversity of tropical ecosystems.
Prerequisite: SCIE T129
Corequisite: BIOL J250
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 Spanish 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 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.
This course satisfied an Advanced Common Curriculum Behavioral/Social Science requirement for students who began their program of study before fall semester 2013. This course does not satisfy requirements for the 2013-2014 Common Curriculum.
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
RELS A305 Theology of Liberation 3 crs.
Liberation theology is a facet of Catholic theology relating to Jesus Christ’s views of liberation from unjust conditions. The course covers a wide range of topics under this multi-disciplinary and unique way of viewing and practicing theology. Significant focus is placed upon understanding how the Latin American context impacts theological praxis. This course is cross-listed with LAS A305
Prerequisite: RELS T122 or RELST124 or RELS H295
RELS J238 Christianity and Liberation 3 crs.
Advanced Common Curriculum: Religious Studies
RAC: Catholic Tradition/Diversity
This course is a study of the historical development of the theology of liberation in Latin America and -- following the Ignatian paradigm of experience-reflection-action-- explores the relevance of its themes to the current situation in the region and in Latino communities in the US.
Prerequisite: RELS T122 or RELST124 or RELS H295
SOCI A200 Cultural Anthropology 3 crs.
This course focuses on the social and cultural diversity of groups living in different parts of the world. Using anthropological studies that have examined the social, symbolic, and material lives of people, the course seeks to explain how and why peoples’ behaviors are both similar and different. This course also examines the relationships between culture and economic systems, social structures, politics, and the environment.
SOCI A204 Introduction to Haitian Society and Culture 3 crs.
This course is an introduction to the rich culture, society, and history of Haiti. Beginning with a discussion of Haitian history, particularly the Haitian Revolution and the impact of the Revolution on other parts of the Americas—including its impact on New Orleans, students then devote a substantial amount of time to studying Haitian politics, the rural and urban sectors in Haiti, and the Haitian diaspora which consists of the large number of people who have emigrated from Haiti to many other countries.
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. There is an emphasis on the 20th century. This course also aims to convey a more thorough understanding of contemporary Latin American societies.
SOCI X245 Peoples of Latin America 3 crs.
This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to modern Latin America. This includes its social, economic, political, and cultural structures and practices. This course aims to help students develop the analytical skills necessary to better understand and appreciate the region’s rich diversity and complexity, including its relationship to the U.S. and world-system.
This course satisfies an Advanced Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern requirement for students who began their program of study before fall semester 2013. This course does not satisfy requirements for the 2013-2014 Common Curriculum.
SOCI X250 Encountering the Caribbean 3 crs.
Caribbean societies are varied in their social, political, and cultural characteristics. They are united, however, by their history of colonialism and struggles for national independence and autonomy. This course examines the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that have shaped Caribbean societies.
This course satisfies an Advanced Common Curriculum: Behavioral/Social Sciences Modern requirement for students who began their program of study before fall semester 2013. This course does not satisfy requirements for the 2013-2014 Common Curriculum.
SPAN A305 Introduction to Hispanic Literature 3 crs.
This course offers readings and discussion of literature in Spanish, including narrative, poetry, drama, and the essay. Students learn the necessary tools and skills to conduct literary analysis in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN A201 or permission of instructor
SPAN A340 Spanish-American Literature I 3 crs.
This course is a survey of Spanish-American literature from the Discovery to the Romantic movement.
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301 or permission of instructor
SPAN A341 Spanish-American Literature II 3 crs.
This course is a survey of Spanish-American literature from the latter part of the 19th century to the present, including realism, naturalism, modernism, and post-modernism.
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301 or permission of instructor
SPAN A350 Culture of Spanish America to 1850 3 crs.
This course offers a study of the different cultural traditions that have shaped Latin America from the pre-Colombian period to 1850.
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301 or permission from instructor
SPAN A351 Culture of Spanish America from 1850 3 crs.
This course is a continuation of SPAN A350 and focuses on the cultural heritage that has shaped the newly formed nations of Latin America from 1850 to the present.
Prerequisite: SPAN A300 or A301 or permission of instructor
SPAN A410 Latin-American Regional Literature 3 crs.
In this course, students study the literature and culture of a particular region, nation, or culture in Latin America. For example, the Caribbean, the River Plate, the Andean region, Central America, Puerto Rico, or Mexico may be the focus of study. Repeatable when topic varies.
Prerequisite: Any A300-level course or permission of instructor
SPAN A455 20th Century Currents 3 crs.
This course offers readings and discussion of contemporary literary trends, including Spanish and/or Spanish American flim. Topics vary but may include the Generation of 1898, theater of protest 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 permission of instructor
SPAN A456 Latin-American Narrative 3 crs.
This course offers readings and discussions of Latin-American novels and/or short stories.
Prerequisite: Any A300-level course or permission of instructor