BA Universidad Austral, Chile, 1989
MA Universidad de Santiago, Chile, 1994
PhD Washington University in St. Louis, 1999
Academic Focus
Colonialism & Globalization; 19th Century Latin America
Alvaro Kaempfer's interdisciplinary scholarly research explore the intersections of history, politics and culture over narratives of Colonialism and Globalization in the long XIX Century. He focuses on Latin America, with special interests in the Southern Cone and Brazil.
Courses Taught
How is the 2012 US American Election presented in the Latin American Media? How different can it be to learn about the 2012 US American Election on radio, television and newspapers from Spanish speaking countries? How much are they telling us about the election in contrast to the perception of the US in that particular media? How do we understand US national events told in a foreign language through stories, images and summaries for a presumably globalized audience? Is there a global perspective in place or a local perception in the Spanish speaking media coverage of the US political election?
Examines the phenomenon of globalization and the interdisciplinary field of globalization studies. Gives students a conceptual and historical understanding of globalization, a review of key debates about globalization, and an overview of specific globalization processes and problems. Helps students to recognize and understand the agents of globalization, focusing on key institutions, while providing a lens through which to view the local experiences of people enmeshed in globalization. Reviews discipline-specific methodologies for conducting research on globalization, and explores global citizenship and applies approaches.
An intensive seminar experience in which students in the final semester of their GS major will have an opportunity to interact, learn, and bond as a cohort. The capstone will meet once a week for 2.5 hours, during which time students will undertake a common core of coursework related to Globalization as an interdisciplinary field of study. A major objective of the capstone is the completion of an individual capstone project or thesis which reflects a synthesis of the student’s regional studies, thematic tracks, study abroad experience, and capstone-related independent research. Students will be expected to present oral and written presentations of their work in a public forum.
Required Capstone Thesis or Research for the Special Major
This course introduces students to Latin American Studies via disciplinary approaches from Cultural Studies, including Music, Visual Arts, Literature, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. It explores the construction of Latin America and the Caribbean by looking at aesthetics and cultural artifacts from pre-Columbian times to our days in order to understand the ongoing formation of cultural communities, sensibilities, and imaginaries.
Individualized research counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F.
Practice in oral and written expression, grammar review, readings and discussions of Portuguese writing. Continued study of Luso-Brazilian cultures. Because 205 is designed for those students who have a strong background in Spanish, which facilitates learning Portuguese, the class covers two semesters of traditional Portuguese classes into one. Class is taught in Portuguese. Prerequisite: Portuguese 105 or equivalent.
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.
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.
Study of the transatlantic nineteenth-century Hispanic world, looking particularly into its most decisive literary, historical and cultural moments. Examinations include narratives, essays, poetry and visual arts. Facilitates strategies for the interpretation of a selected corpus of texts grounded on aesthetic, cultural and ideological conflicts, creation of political contexts, and social change. Offered alternate years. 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.
Study of the textual productions resulting from the initial centuries of the Iberian invasion, conquest and colonization of the Americas in the early stages of globalization. Readings and discussions focuses on the study of European and pre-Columbian imaginaries, and their impact on long-standing representations of Latin America. Goals include the analysis of a variety of discursive practices integrated into the process of colonization and how they have pervaded the understanding of Latin America. Offered alternate years. 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.
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.