Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS)

Subject Number Title Hours Catalog Description General Education Category
LALS 101 Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 hours. Introduction to the major concepts, issues, and debates in the field of Latin American Studies. Overview of history, cultures, and issues of race, ethnicity, gender, class in Latin America.   Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 102 Introduction to Latino Studies 3 hours. Introduction to the major concepts, issues, and debates in the field of U.S. Latina/o Studies. Overview of the history, cultures, and issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and class among Latinos in the United States.   Past, and US Society course.
LALS 103 Introduction to Latino Urban Studies 3 hours. Demographic, economic, political, cultural, and social dimensions of Latino communities in the United States. Includes Chicanos/Mexicanos Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Central and South Americans.  Individual and Society, and US Society course.
LALS 104 Introduction to Puerto Rican Studies 3 hours. Analysis of historical, cultural, political, social and economic issues of Puerto Rico: the political status of Puerto Rico, problems of cultural identity, migration and economic dependence. Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 105 Introduction to Mexican Studies 3 hours. Introduction to major issues in the formation of modern Mexico (conquest, Revolution of 1910) and to major historical and contemporary literary works which depict and interpret the Mexican and Mexico.  Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 108 Indigenous Culture Change in Latin America 3 hours. Overview of Latin American indigenous societies from the Precolumbian era to the present, using archaeological, historical, and anthropological findings to analyze the changes and adaptations of native cultures from Latin America. World Cultures course.
LALS 109 Introduction to Latino Cultures 3 hours. Examination of the cultural and artistic productions of U.S. Latinos and/or Latin Americans through historical processes of mainstreaming, transculturation, and hybridity.   Prerequisite(s):  Open only to freshmen and sophomores or consent of the instructor.  Creative Arts, and US Society course.
LALS 110 Introduction to Latin American Cultures 3 hours. Examination of the cultural and artistic productions of Latin Americans and constructions of Latin American heritage and tradition. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.
LALS 127 Latin American Music 3 hours. Survey class that introduces students to the rich repertoire of music in Latin America. It explores the history of genres, their development, instruments and representative artists in their geographical, social and cultural contexts.   Same as MUS 127. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.
LALS 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 hours. Comparative study of political institutions, political culture, and political processes in selected major countries of the world. Same as POLS 130 and INST 130.   Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 161 Introduction to Latin American History 3 hours. Introduction to major themes in Latin American history from pre-Colombian society and the European conquest to the present. Same as HIST 161.   Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 192 From the Convent to the Streets: Latin American Women Writers in Translation 3 hours. Introduction to literature by Latin American women from the seventeenth century to the present. Focus on the role literature has played in the negotiation of gender identities in the private and the public spheres. Same as GWS 192, and SPAN 192. No credit toward any major or minor program in Spanish. Taught in English. Class Schedule: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture and one Discussion. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 200 Expository Writing on Latin American and Latino Topics 1 hours. Perfecting writing and expository skills in English. Must be taken concurrently with the first or second 200-level Latin American and Latino Studies course taken after declaration of the major. For Latin American and Latino Studies majors only.   
LALS 217 Human Geography of Latin America including the Caribbean Region 3 hours. Culture, settlement, political and economic development problems in Latin America, with special attention to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Region, and Mexico. Same as GEOG 203.   Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 220 Latin American Cities in a Global Context: Environment, Employment, and Housing 3 hours. Global economic trends impacting Latin American cities, with a focus on three urban planning issues: environment, employment and housing.  Growing inequality, precarious employment, spatial segregation, and squatter settlements will be explored. Same as UPA 220. Recommended background: LALS 101. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 223 Southwestern Archaeology 3 hours. Introduction to the archaeology of ancient Native American cultures of the North American Southwest, emphasizing processes of culture change from earliest times until European contact, with focus on current debates and relevant methods and theories. Same as ANTH 223. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in ANTH 102; or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 225 Racial and Ethnic Groups 3 hours. Sociological and social-psychological analysis of racial, religious, and other ethnic groups; consideration of historical and current social problems arising from their relationships in society. Same as AAST 225 and SOC 225. Prerequisite(s): SOC 100; or consent of the instructor. Individual and Society, and US Society course.
LALS 227 Spain: 1469 to 1808 3 hours. The political, socioeconomic, and cultural development of Spain from the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella to the War of Independence. Same as HIST 227.   Individual and Society, and Past course.
LALS 228 Spain Since 1808 3 hours. Loss of the colonies, liquidation of the Ancien Regime, national integration, sociopolitical polarization, the Civil War, and the Franco regime. Same as HIST 228.   Individual and Society, and Past course.
LALS 229 Sociology of Latinos 3 hours. Examines social, political and economic issues affecting Latino groups.   While focusing on the process of racialization, the course also examines immigration, language rights, gender and sexuality, labor market, media, and youth. Same as SOC 229. Prerequisite(s): SOC 100 or LALS 102 or SOC 105 or LALS 103; or consent of the instructor. Individual and Society, and US Society course.
LALS 233 Latinos in Chicago 3 hours. Development and dynamics of Chicago's Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American communities: settlement, demographics, economics, culture, social institutions and political participation.   Prerequisite(s):  LALS 102 or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 239 Pre-Columbian Art of South America 3 hours. Introduction to the art and architecture of indigenous Andean cultures from 3000 B.C. to the sixteenth century, including Chavin, Moche, and Inca. Same as AH 273. Prerequisite(s): Three hours of art history at the 100 level or consent of the instructor. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.
LALS 240 Pre-Columbian Art of Mesoamerica 3 hours. Introduction to the art and architecture of prehispanic peoples of Mexico and northern Central America, including Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Zapotec, and Aztec cultures. Same as AH 274. Prerequisite(s): Three hours of art history at the 100 level or consent of the instructor. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.
LALS 242 Government and Politics of Latin America 3 hours. An examination of government and politics in selected Latin American countries. Comparative and historical analysis of dictatorship, democracies, political institutions, and parties. Same as POLS 242. Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level course in Latin American and Latino studies or political science.   
LALS 251 History of Race Relations in America 3 hours. An examination of American racial thought and racial discrimination to determine how the content and function of both have changed over time. Same as AAST 200, and HIST 251.    
LALS 255 South American Indians 3 hours. Social and cultural practices of the native peoples of the Amazonian tropical forest and the Andes. Same as ANTH 275.   Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 256 European-Indigenous Interaction in Latin America 3 hours. Responses of indigenous societies in Latin America to colonization by people from the Old World. The historical and social circumstances of contact and culture change will be covered.   Same as ANTH 256. World Cultures course.
LALS 257 Archaeology of North America 3 hours. Introduction to the prehistoric cultures of North America from earliest times until the arrival of Europeans. Same as ANTH 226. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 102 or consent of the instructor.   
LALS 258 Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Central America 3 hours. Analysis and interpretation of the archaeological evidence on the process of development of native civilization in the Meso-American area from the beginnings of agricultural settlement to the eve of the Spanish conquest. Same as ANTH 227, and GEOG 207. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 102; or sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor.   
LALS 259 Ancient Civilizations of South America 3 hours. Analysis of the developmental process and social institutions of indigenous civilizations of South America. Emphasis on origins of sedentary life, evolution of cities, and dynamics of the native Andean states. Same as ANTH 228. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 102; or sophomore standing or above; or consent of the instructor.   
LALS 260 Indigenous Storytelling in Latin America 3 hours. Study of Legend of the Suns, the Quetzalcoatl cycle, pictographic stories, the Popol Vuh and tales from Huarochirí in the colonial context. Prerequisite(s): LALS 101. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.
LALS 261 Latin America to 1850 3 hours. Provides a survey of the pre-Columbian and early national periods in Latin America. Same as HIST 261. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 262 Latin America Since 1850 3 hours. Provides an introduction to Latin American socioeconomic, political, and cultural development since 1850 with emphasis on major countries and regions. Same as HIST 262. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 263 Latin American Colonial Art 3 hours. A survey of Latin American art and architecture from European contact to independence.  Same as AH 263.  Prerequisite(s): Three hours of art history at the 100 level, or consent of the instructor. Creative Arts, and World Cultures course.
LALS 265 Mexico: 1400 to 1850 3 hours. Social, economic, political and cultural development of Mexican society from pre-Hispanic roots through Spanish conquest to independence and its aftermath. Same as HIST 265.   Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 266 Mexico Since 1850 3 hours. Provides an introduction into the social, cultural, and political history of Mexico from the decades after independence to the present. Same as HIST 266. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 161; or consent of the instructor. Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 269 Latin American Environmental Studies 3 hours. Overview of environmental challenges in Latin America caused by mining, export agriculture, petroleum exploration, urbanization, and climate change. Social and political responses to environmental change and conservation regulation. Recommended background: EAES 101. Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 270 Ethnography of Meso-America 3 hours. Survey of the contemporary indigenous cultures of Meso-America, studied against their pre-conquest history and in their development since the Spanish Conquest. Same as ANTH 277.   Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 272 Brazil: A Multi-Ethnic Society 3 hours. The diverse political, economic, artistic, and folkloric themes of Brazilian life are traced in such national festivals as Carnaval and Sao Joao, and folk religions such as Candomble. Same as ANTH 278.   Individual and Society, and World Cultures course.
LALS 275 Gender in Latin America 3 hours. Latin American women in historical perspective from pre-Columbian and Iberian societies to the present. Same as GWS 275, and POLS 275.   Past, and World Cultures course.
LALS 276 Latinas in the United States 3 hours. Socioeconomic conditions and cultural experiences of Latinas in the U.S. Historical and contemporary views of labor, health, education, family, identity formation and leadership. Same as GWS 276, and SOC 226.    
LALS 277 Issues of Race, Class, and Gender Among Latinos 3 hours. Institutional, cultural and psychological components of race, class, and gender relations. Institutional inequality, questions of assimilation and identity, attitudes, and effects of inequality on community.   Prerequisite(s):  LALS 102.  
LALS 278 Latin American/Latino Film Studies 3 hours. Latin American and U.S. Latino film as expressing and impacting socioeconomic, political, ideological and literary systems, modes of "elite" and popular culture, everyday life.   Same as SPAN 278.  Prerequisite(s):  LALS 101 or LALS 102 or LALS 109.  
LALS 283 Latinos and Politics 3 hours. Latino politics and politicians in the context of the American political system. The political system, Latino participation, experience, and research on political processes. Same as POLS 209.  US Society course.
LALS 286 Issues in Latino Identity 3 hours. Examines one or more topics of central importance to U.S. Latino populations. Topics may be related to such issues as youth, migration, family, religion, or cultural production.    Prerequisite(s):  LALS 102.  
LALS 288 History of Modern Puerto Rico 3 hours. Survey of political and socioeconomic history from 1868 to the present. Same as HIST 288.    
LALS 290 Mexican-American History 3 hours. The political, social, economic, and cultural development of the Mexican people in the U.S. from colonial times until the present. Same as HIST 290.    
LALS 295 Latino Literary Studies 3 hours. Major trends, genres, works, themes, and writers related to Latino history and culture, mainstream and minority U.S., Latin American and third world literatures. Same as ENGL 295 and SPAN 295. Creative Arts, and US Society course.
LALS 299 Independent Study 3 TO 6 hours. Individual reading or research project and paper in Latin American or U.S. Latino Studies, with instructor's consent and supervision. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): A 2.50 grade point average. Open to undergraduate students with consent of the appropriate instructor and the Latin American and Latino Studies director.   
LALS 301 Research Methods in Latin America and Latino Studies 3 hours. An examination of various research methods used in Latin America and Latino Studies. Qualitative research methods used in the humanities and social sciences with emphasis on how to formulate ideas, develop them, and carry out a research project.   Prerequisite(s):  Two 200-level LALS courses; LALS major or minor or consent of the instructor; junior standing or above or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 302 Research Workshop in Latin American and Latino Studies 3 hours. Workshop where students will engage in individual research projects related to Latin American and/or Latino Studies.   Prerequisite(s):  LALS 301, junior standing or above, and consent of the instructor.  
LALS 348 Seminar: Political Problems of Developing Societies 3 hours. Selected aspects of the politics and countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Same as POLS 348. Prerequisite(s): POLS 200 and POLS 130; or consent of the instructor.   
LALS 350 Latinos and Latin Americans in U.S. Public Discourse 3 hours. The U.S. public images of Latinos and Latin Americans.   Prerequisite(s):  Two 200-level LALS courses; junior standing or above or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 380 Social Movements in Latin America 3 hours. The different ways in which different groups have used non-traditional means to change the social and political circumstances that have conditioned their lives.   Prerequisite(s):  Two 200-level courses; junior standing or above or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 382 Race and Citizenship in the Americas 3 hours. The relationship between citizenship and racial ideologies in the Americas. Comparison of the diverse racial and social experiences of U.S. Latinos with other populations in the Americas.   Prerequisite(s):  Two 200-level LALS courses; junior standing or above or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 385 Latino Social Movements in the United States 3 hours. Social movements and public action by Latinos in the United States. Includes farmworkers organizing, unionization efforts, nationalist movements, feminism, struggles, and community debates.   Prerequisite(s):  LALS 102.  
LALS 391 Seminar in Latin American Studies 3 hours. Diverse aspects of modern Latin American society, politics, culture and economics from the wars of independence to contemporary times.   May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.  Prerequisite(s):  Two 200-level LALS courses; junior standing or above or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 395 Seminar in Latino Studies 3 hours. Diverse aspects of the U.S. Latino experience at more theoretical and advanced levels.   May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.  Prerequisite(s):  Two 200-level LALS courses; junior standing or above or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 403 Interdisciplinary Research Methods in Latin American and Latino Studies 3 OR 4 hours. Examination of research methods in social sciences and current trends in Latin American and Latino Studies. Emphasis on critical analysis of research methods, use of analytical approaches for particular kinds of investigation, and hands on application to case studies. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): LALS 301 and LALS 302; or graduate standing. Recommended Background: Credit or concurrent registration in LALS 501.  
LALS 409 Ancient Maya Writing, Language and Culture 3 OR 4 hours. Recent trends in Maya epigraphy, information gained from Maya hieroglyphs, linguistics, and historical ethnographies are applied to anthropological analyses of past lifeways. Same as ANTH 409. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor.   
LALS 423 Andean Prehistory 3 OR 4 hours. An overview of the cultural evolution of the Andean region from the arrival of the first inhabitants to the development of the Inca empire.   Same as ANTH 423.  3 undergraduate hours.  4 graduate hours.  Prerequisite(s):  ANTH 228 or  ANTH 269 or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 427 Studies in Language Policy and Cultural Identity 3 OR 4 hours. Examines the development, articulation, and effects of language policies on identity formation and culture. Focuses on the United States and the Spanish language, although other countries and languages are included. Same as SPAN 427. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above.  
LALS 433 Latin American Migration to the U.S. 3 OR 4 hours. Latin American migration to the U.S. International migration theories, family remittances, transnational linkages, dual citizenship, and past and current U.S. immigration policy debates. Same as SOC 433. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.  
LALS 461 Topics in Latin American History 3 OR 4 hours. Specific topics are announced each term. Same as HIST 461. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): 3 hours of history, Latin American and Latino studies, or consent of the instructor.   
LALS 475 Indians of the Andes and the Amazon 3 OR 4 hours. Intensive research in theoretical and ethnographic problems in South American Indian social structures and cultures. Special attention will be given Levi-Strauss' ideas on the formulation of cultural theory in South America. Same as ANTH 475. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 213 or consent of the instructor.   
LALS 491 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Latin American Studies 3 OR 4 hours. Specific topics as announced each semester. In-depth study of selected topics such as: process of state formation, education, populism, the family, democratization, industrialization and ideological currents. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s):  Any two 200-level Latin American and Latino Studies courses or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 495 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Latino Studies 3 OR 4 hours. In-depth study of Latino communities and current issues from an interdisciplinary perspective, with emphasis on the learning and use of investigative methodologies. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s):  Any two 200-level Latin American and Latino Studies courses or consent of the instructor.  
LALS 497 Community Research Internship 3 OR 4 hours. Work in community-based organizations and cultural institutions to develop experiential knowledge about social, political and cultural issues facing Latinos and Latin Americans. Placements introduce issues of ethnicity, identity, and transnationalism. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above and consent of the instructor. Concurrent registration in LALS 498. Recommended Background: LALS 403.  
LALS 498 Community Research 3 OR 4 hours. Community-based internship and development of a research proposal. Students are introduced to policy papers, research memos and research grant proposals, and are expected to develop their own research proposals. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above and consent of the instructor. Concurrent registration in LALS 497. Recommended Background: LALS 403.  
LALS 499 Advanced Independent Study 1 TO 4 hours. Individual advanced reading or research project in Latin American or U.S. Latino studies, with instructor's consent and supervision. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Open, with consent of the instructor, to graduate students and Latin American and Latino studies majors with at least a 3.00 grade point average. Students in other programs or with lower than a 3.00 grade point average are admitted at the instructor's discretion only.