Latin American Studies (LAS)

Major Courses

LAS A305: Theology of Liberation, 3 crs

This course is a study of the historical development of the theology of liberation in Latin America and explores the relevance of its themes to the current situation in the region and in Latino communities in the US. This course is cross-listed with RELS-A305.

LAS A480: Latin American Studies Senior Capstone, 1 cr

Required of all LAS majors: Students work independently on a research paper in conjunction with a regular advanced course, and under the supervision of a professor. The capstone course reflects the skills and knowledge the student has acquired as a Languages and Cultures major.

LAS A495: Special Topics, credits vary

Students work independently on a research paper or directed readings project under the supervision of a professor.

LAS A499: Independent Study, credits vary

Work done independently under professorial supervision.

Loyola Core

LAS T121: First-Year Seminar, 3 crs.

Foundation Courses - First Year Seminar

All first-year students take a 3-credit First-Year Seminar during their first semester as one of the core course in the Loyola Core. First-Year Seminars at Loyola are small, discussion-based seminars that introduce new college students to academic inquiry at the university level by investigating a relevant topic. Specially-trained faculty lead these seminars in a way that instills in students the academic skills necessary to become successful Loyola students. A list of upcoming First-Year Seminars can be found on the First-Year Experience homepage. 

 

LAS N200: WAL: Latin American Literature, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Writing About Literature

This course offers readings, discussions and textual analysis of selected works, including narrative, drama and poetry by a variety of Latin American authors.  As a writing intensive course, students will learn how to read, think and write critically about literature while exploring the historical and cultural realities of Latin American worlds.

Prerequisite: ENGL T122 or ENGL A205

LAS N238: WAL: Central American Revolutions - A Literary Look, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Writing About Literature

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.

Prerequisite: ENGL T122 or ENGL A205

LAS N302: WAL: Borderlands Identity: Literature and Film, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Writing About Literature

This course handles novels, short stories, drama, poetry, essays, and films by authors situated either geographically or culturally in a borderland between the US and Latin American countries.  In this writing-intensive course, students learn to read, think and write critically about literature while explorign the historical and cultural realities of Chican@/Latin@ peoples in the borderlands of the US from the 19th to the present day.

Prerequisite: ENGL T122 or ENGL A205

LAS N332: WAL: Indigenous Literatures of the Americas in Translation, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Writing About Literature

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. 

Prerequisite: ENGL T122 or ENGL A205

LAS O200: Introduction to Contemporary Latin American Culture, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Creative Arts and Culture        

This introduction to Latin American Studies focuses on the rich cultural heritage that has come to form part of the Latin American identity.  Using literature, film, music and visual arts, both produced by and about Latin America, students study the issues that have had an impact on Latin America and its people throughout its recent history. This is an interdisciplinary course that allows students to understand Latino communities through different academic lenses.

LAS O202 Latin Diaspora: Music Industry and Dance, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: 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 O263 Creating Spanish America, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Creative Arts and Cultures

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 O263.

LAS X220 Education and Social Change in Latin America, 3 crs

Knowledge-Values Courses: Social Science

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.

LAS X225 Ecuador and Andean Societies, 3 crs.

Knowledge-Values Courses: Social Science

This course focuses on Ecuador in a comparative perspective with the Andean countries (Peru, Bolivia and Colombia).  Students develop a good understanding of historical processes that have had an impact on contemporary issues, such as gender issues, indigenous and mestizo identity, urbanization and informal sector, migration, popular uprising, and political regimes in particular different types of populisms.

Major Courses in Other Disciplines

Latin American Studies (LAS) is an interdisciplinary program: A number of courses from other departments and programs can be included in the LAS major or minor. A list of these courses can be found on the Latin American Studies program website, as well as on the degree program course listing (DPCL) and minor tracking sheet.