Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Courses Taught

• FYS 199-4 The Big Short: The Contemporary Short Film in a Global Context
  Critical introduction to the contemporary short film (“the short") in a global context. The course covers films from the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia. The course focuses on the ways that various filmmakers explore four critical areas: violence and politics; gender, race and sexuality; war and migration; and ecology and the physical environment. The course will also consider the political, social and cultural history of the countries in which the films are set or produced. Film genres include fiction, animation, documentary and experimental. Literary texts include short stories adapted into films, critical articles on films, film reviews and interviews with filmmakers.
• SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish
  Fundamentals of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. For students who have completed Spanish 101 or its equivalent, or based on Spanish placement test results.
• SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish
  Overview of Hispanic cultures through readings and films, with emphasis on written and oral expression in Spanish. Through community-based education and cultural activities students gain a deeper understanding of the vast diversity of the Hispanic world. Prerequisite: Spanish 102 or consent of department. For students who have completed Spanish 102 or its equivalent, or based on Spanish placement test results.
• SPAN 301 Spanish Composition, Conversation, and Culture: Topics
  Exercises in directed and free composition; extensive interaction with Spanish language and Hispanic cultures through readings, films and other media; group discussion and presentation of individual oral work; review of grammar and syntax at an advanced level. Organized around a central topic of importance in the Hispanic world. Prerequisite: Spanish 202, consent of department, or based on Spanish placement test results. Required for the major or minor (must achieve a “C” or better), and for the combined Spanish/LACLS major.
• SPAN 305 Textual Cultures: Methods and Theories
  Introduction to basic critical approaches to the reading of literary and cultural texts. Through the careful study of works in different genres, students acquire a knowledge of analytical skills and critical terminology in Spanish. Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in Spanish 301/302, or consent of department. Required for the Spanish major and counts toward the minor; or towards the combined Spanish/LACLS major, and as MI-Humanities.
• SPAN 360 After the War: Memory, Violence and the Body in Contemporary Central American Literature and Film
  In this course we will analyze the literature and cinema of Central America from the "official" end of the civil wars that affected the region: Guatemala (1960-1996), El Salvador (1980-1992) and Nicaragua (1979-1990). We will examine stories, short novels and cinema to understand the legacies of war and violence. We will focus much on writers and distinguished directors as well as lesser-known artists. We will study global issues such as injustice, inequality, poverty, the environment and migration for a better life. At the same time, we will consider the political, social and cultural history of Central America. By doing this, we will realize that the post-war dilemmas are still connected to other problems such as colonialism; race, gender and sexuality; war and trauma; indigenous movements and human rights. Prerequisite: Spanish 305, or consent of the department. Counts toward the Spanish major or minor, or toward the combined Spanish/LACLS major, and as MI-Humanities
• SPAN 400 Seminar
  Directed and specialized studies in Spanish. Course is taken by seniors during the final semester in order to complete their undergraduate work. Offered every spring. Prerequisite: Limited to seniors, except with permission of the department. Required for Spanish majors.