College Bulletin 2014-2015

Apr 28, 2024

College Bulletin 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Latin American Studies

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Coordinator:

MILTON MACHUCA-GALVEZ (Latin American Studies)
Anna Everetts (Administrative Assistant)

Committee:

Diego Armus (History)
Jose Luis Machado (Biology)
Christopher Fraga (Anthropology)
Braulio Muñoz (Sociology)
Kenneth Sharpe (Political Science)

Swarthmore’s Latin American Studies Program explores the rich diversity-as well as the similarities-among and within Latin American countries and cultures. The program also investigates the broad dynamics shaping Latino experiences in the United States. Participants in the program engage with a variety of disciplines to consider what defines “Latin America.” Spoken language; literature; pre-colonial, colonial, and modern history; native, immigrant, and diasporic experiences; politics; socioeconomic conditions; religion; social structures; architecture; and political borders are all considered in this far-ranging and inclusive course of study. Students in any major may add a minor in Latin American studies. Courses from art history, history, modern languages and literatures, political science, religion, sociology and anthropology contribute to this exciting interdisciplinary program.

Most of our students spend one semester in Latin America. Studying beyond the traditional classroom walls provides students with invaluable opportunities for enriching intellectual experiences and personal growth.

The Academic Program

Students interested in the Latin American Studies Program (LAS) are invited to consult with the program coordinator and members of the LAS Committee before developing a proposal. The proposal should establish how Latin American studies relates to the overall program of undergraduate study and to the departmental major. The minor is open to students of all divisions.

Course Minor

Latin American Studies minors must complete the following requirements:

Language:

LAS requires the successful completion of SPAN 004 Intensive Advanced Spanish or its equivalent.

This requirement is waived for native speakers of Spanish and for students who demonstrate sufficient competence in this language, as determined by the LAS Committee. Note: LAS credit is not offered for language courses.

Courses:

Students must complete a minimum of 5 Latin American studies approved courses and seminars.

These 5 courses must span the two divisions (Humanities and Social Sciences).
In order to develop a basic introduction to Latin America, students must complete one of the following 3 courses: LASC 005: Introduction to Latino Studies, HIST 004: Introduction to Latin American History, or SPAN 010: En busca de Latinoamérica, by their sophomore year.
Only 1 of the total 5 courses required by the Latin American Studies minor may overlap with a student’s major or other minor.
To graduate with a minor in Latin American studies, a student must maintain a minimum grade of “B” in the program, and a “C” average in any other course work.

Study Abroad

Students are required to spend a minimum of one semester abroad in a program approved by both the Latin American Studies Program and the Off-Campus Study Office. The experience of living and studying abroad in any Latin American Spanish-speaking country is strongly encouraged by Latin American studies faculty. By extending learning beyond the traditional classroom, students have distinctive opportunities for enriching intellectual experiences and unique opportunities for personal growth. Swarthmore College hosts a study-abroad program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Students are also welcome to choose from a selection of approved programs available in other locations throughout Latin America. Students may apply two courses from work taken abroad in Latin America to their Latin American studies academic program.
Courses taken abroad must have a clear Latin American focus and must be preapproved by the appropriate department in order to count for the LAS minor.
Study abroad must be pursued in Spanish. Students must complete Spanish 004, or its equivalent, before going abroad.
Language courses are not eligible for study abroad credit.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete the introductory requirement of one of the 3 following courses: LASC 005, Spanish 010, or History 004) before going abroad.
The study abroad requirement may be waived for students who have lived and studied in Latin America for a number of years, but they must apply for this waiver at the time of being considered for the minor.
Only in exceptional cases, with the support of a faculty member and the approval of the LAS Committee, will a semester’s internship or a community service project in Latin America fulfill this requirement.

Honors Minor

To complete an honors minor in Latin American studies, students must have completed all requirements for the interdisciplinary minor. From within these offerings, they may select for outside examination a seminar taken to fulfill the interdisciplinary minor’s requirements. However, the seminar chosen may not be an offering within their major department.

Special Major

With the permission of the departments concerned, it is possible for a student to plan an individualized special major that includes closely related work in one or more departments. Students have the possibility of designing a special major, such as Spanish and Latin American Studies; Latin American Studies and Political Science, Latin American Studies and History; and Latin American Studies with a focus on Sociology and Anthropology, etc.

Special majors consist of at least 10 courses and no more than 12 courses.

Students with special majors must complete the major comprehensive requirement of the departmental major which may consist of a thesis or other written research project designed to integrate the work across departmental boundaries, or a comprehensive examination. In all cases, this final exercise will integrate the work done in Latin American studies and the department involved.

Life After Swarthmore

Swarthmore graduates who have taken part in the Latin American Studies Program find that their rich understanding of the cultures and people of Latin America and Latinos in the U.S. is attractive to employers. Graduates most frequently pursue careers in public service, law, government, education, humanities, social sciences, and the media.