Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Course Listings for the Academic Year 2018-2019

Please note: students are responsible for ensuring that your selected courses meet the program requirements stated in the Calendar. If, however, you feel that you need additional information or guidance please contact us.

Fall Courses

LACS 1001: Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies I – Bienvenido! Welcome!
Instructor: Mark Anderson

This introductory course explores Latin America and the Caribbean from pre-Colombian origins to modern day. It approaches the region and its rich, vast mix of peoples and cultures and religions and languages from a variety of approaches. In historical settings, for example, we will consider political systems, invasions (and resistance), economic arrangements, early religious traditions and the imposition of new religions, as well as topics such as gender, race, cowboys, and even the origin of zombies.

Course books may include:

  • John Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire
  • Rigoberta Menchú, I, Rigoberta

Winter Courses

LACS 1002: Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies II – Race, Ethnicity, and Class Across Time
Instructor: Alejandro Hernandez

This course is an introduction to the history, culture, politics, and societies of Latin America and the Caribbean. The course will focus on the evolution and consequences of the notions of race and ethnicity in the last five hundred years. We will make use of archeological, sociological, anthropological, historical, and politico-economy perspectives to understand how the social construction of race and ethnicity, mediated by social class, has not only differently evolved but also impacted the lives of people in the Americas in various ways.

LACS 4001: Issues in Latin American and Caribbean Studies – History of Imperialism in Latin America
Instructor: Mark Anderson

This seminar explores the history of imperialism in Latin America by comparing and contrasting competing empires. First, it considers Indigenous empires, including Aztec, Comanche, and Inca. Second, it explores Spanish and Portuguese settler invasions, which commenced in 1492. Third, it examines so-termed neo-imperialism of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which began as independence swept the region. Fourth and finally, it investigates McWorld imperialism that launched roughly after WW 1 and continues down to this day.