If you have particular interest in the cultures and societies of Latin America, but would like to study them from a comparative, interdisciplinary perspective, you may want this concentration. This program offers a wide range of courses, beginning with a thorough study of ancient civilizations up through to modern times. Washington University, with its Latin American Studies program, was one of the ten founding institutions funded by a Ford Foundation grant in 1964. Students in this concentration generally acquire a high level of competency in Spanish or Portuguese, depending on field of specialization. Our study abroad program in Chile would be especially appropriate for students of Spanish.
Major
For a major in IAS with a Latin American Studies concentration, you are required to complete the following:
Survey of Latin American Cultures. See course description
below. (3 credits).
Crossing Borders I and II. See course description below. (3 credits each for a total of 6
credits)
18 credits of advanced coursework with Latin American content
offered by at least three different departments (e.g., History,
Political Science, Anthropology, Romance Languages and Literatures). At least 3 of the 18 credits must be at the 400-level. Although
some 300-level credit may be satisfied with courses taught in
the Study Abroad programs by foreign faculty, 400-level credit
must be earned on campus or in WU courses taught abroad.
No
more than 3 credits may be from directed readings, research,
or internships, excluding credit earned as part of an honors
thesis. (18 credits)
Students whose prime major is in the Latin American concentration
of IAS must participate in a capstone experience. This may take
the form of an honors thesis, participation in a senior symposium,
or, in certain instances, successful completion of a specially
designated 400-level course. All of these options are available
for credit and may fulfill the 400-level credit requirement.
Total is a minimum of 27 graded credits unique to the IAS major plus 4 semesters of a Latin American language(or its equivalent - see the Language Requirement below).
Minor
For a minor in Latin American Studies/International and Area Studies,
you are required to complete 15 graded credits plus 4 semesters of a Latin American language (or
its equivalent - see the Language Requirement
below).
6 credits may be at the introductory level. At least 3 of those
credits must be chosen from: Survey of Latin American Cultures
OR Crossing Borders I or II.
At least 9 credits of advanced (300+) coursework all focused
on Latin America, as determined in consultation with the advisor. No more than 3 credits may be from directed readings, research
or internships. No more than 3 credits may be from a semester
of study abroad (6 credits from a year of study abroad).
12 of the 15 credits must be unique to the IAS minor (i.e.
not counted to any other major or minor).
Language Requirement
All majors and minors must satisfy a foreign language requirement. You may satisfy this requirement with the successful completion of the first four semesters of language instruction in the language program of choice (other than English) or the equivalent. Entering students wishing to prove equivalency must take the Washington University Placement test for the language in question or score a 5 on the AP test. Students claiming the status of native speakers may be exempted from the placement test by the undergraduate director or by the section coordinator of the language program in question. We encourage students interested in IAS who have achieved a high level of language competency before entering Washington University to continue their language study, either in the same language or in an additional language, but it is assumed that you will satisfy your requirement by demonstrating competence in at least one language through the fourth semester.
Introductory Courses
Survey of Latin American Cultures L45 LatAm 165C
Interdisciplinary introduction to Latin America, from the
pre-Columbian period to the present. Emphasis on the struggle
for political independence, economic self-sufficiency, and a
unique cultural identity. Required of majors in IAS in the
Latin American Studies track.
Crossing Borders I L97 IS 202
This course explores the idea of "crossing borders"
along multiple dimensions. We will use the territorial concept
of nation-state borders derived from the Westphalian model as
our point of departure. We will subsequently explore alternative
notions of crossing borders through topics as diverse as ethnic
conflict, the (re) emergence of civilizations, nationalism,
intranational class conflict, bureaucratic rivalry, cultural
imperialism, "comparative diasporas," international
financial architectures, liberalism/free trade, complex interdependence,
and globalization. Because we will be approaching these topics
from the perspective of the social sciences, a portion of this
course will be devoted to introducing students to the basic
tenets of social scientific inquiry. This course is required
of all IAS majors. IAS majors considering a junior year
abroad should enroll freshman or sophomore year. 3 credits.
Cannot be taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.
Crossing Borders II L97 IS 203
This course will explore the idea of "crossing borders"
in literature, film and their cultural contexts. We will explore
ethnic and economic conflicts, nationalist projects, and cultural
imperialism and resistance in the interactions between cultural
objects (texts and other works of art) and their contexts. Because
we will be approaching these topics from the perspective of
the humanities, we will spend some time introducing students
to the basic methodologies of inquiry in literary and cultural
studies. This course is required of all IAS majors. IAS majors
considering a junior year abroad should enroll freshman or sophomore
year. 3 credits. Cannot be taken pass/fail or credit/no credit.
Program Faculty
Chair
Mabel Moraña, Professor (Romance Languages and Literatures) Ph.D, University of Minnesota
Professors
David L. Browman (Anthropology) Ph.D., Harvard University John F. Garganigo (Romance Languages and Literatures) Ph.D., University of Illinois Elzbieta Sklodowska (Romance Languages and Literatures)
Ph.D., Washington University Richard J. Walter (History) Ph.D., Stanford University
Associate Professor
J. Andrew Brown (Romance Languages and Literatures) Ph.D., University of Virginia Brian Crisp (Political Science) Ph.D., University of Michigan
Assistant Professors
Bret Gustafson (Anthropology) Ph.D., Harvard University Stephanie Kirk (Romance Languages and Literatures) Ph.D., New York University Tabea Linhard (Romance Languages and Literatures) Ph.D., Duke University Derek Pardue (Anthropology, IAS) Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Guillermo Rosas (Political Science) Ph.D., Duke University Ignacio Sanchez-Prado (Romance Languages and Literatures, IAS) Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Professor Emeritus
Pedro C. Cavalcanti (Anthropology) Ph.D., University
of Warsaw (also EuSt)
