Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Department Overview
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (LACLAS) is an interdisciplinary program at Skidmore College that seeks to create an intellectual community in which students acquire a well-rounded knowledge of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o/e/x communities and their geographies, histories, cultures, and artistic traditions. Students learn to develop questions and think critically about the issues that such communities face from an interdisciplinary perspective. LACLAS offers a space for students, faculty, and staff interested in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Latinx U.S. to come together, learn from each other, build community, and promote a feeling of belonging.
Director of the Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Program: Bernardo Ramirez Rios
Administrative Assistant: Beth Miller
Affiliated Faculty
Anthropology: Heather Hurst, Michael Ennis-McMillan, Bernardo Ramirez Ríos
Art History: Kristi Peterson
Dance: Kieron Sargeant
Economics: Rodrigo Schneider
English: Jamie Parra
History: Jordana Dym
International Affairs: Rachel Cantave
Psychology: Pablo Gómez
World Languages and Literatures: Abel Arango, Diana Barnes, María Fernanda Lander, Beatriz Loyola, Aurélie Matheron, Oscar Pérez Hernández, Viviana Rangil
Theater: Eunice Ferreira, Lisa Jackson-Schebetta
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Minor
The Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies (LACLAS) minor gives students the opportunity to undertake the comparative study of the political, economic, cultural, artistic, and performing traditions and contemporary realities of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o/e/x communities through a flexible structure and a wide variety of course options. The skills and knowledge students gain are valued by employers across sectors such as foreign policy, international relations, public administration, education, healthcare, information services, communications, and commerce. The minor consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours (five to six courses), with at least two 300-level courses.
The minor includes the following:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Perspectives on Latina/o/e/x Studies | 4 | |
| Introduction to Latina/o/e/x Studies | ||
| Broad Perspectives on Latin American and Caribbean Studies | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Ways of Seeing: Visual Cultures of the Americas | ||
| Economics of Latin America | ||
| Latin American History: An Introduction | ||
| Spanish-American Literature and Culture | ||
| Breadth and Specialization Electives | ||
| Select three to four courses. At least two 300-level courses. | 10-11 | |
On This Page
Course Listing
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Courses
LA 201 - Introduction to Latina/o/e/x Studies
Credits: 4
A comprehensive exploration of the diverse cultures, histories, and experiences of Latina/o/e/x communities and individuals in the United States. From the early migrations to contemporary issues, students examine topics such as immigration, labor, politics, media portrayals, and social justice movements. Students in this course navigate the complexities of Latina/o/e/x identity formation, drawing on critical theories and case studies to analyze the power dynamics inherent in representation and develop a nuanced understanding of the rich cultural landscape of Latina/o/e/x communities. This course encourages critical thinking and civic engagement, empowering students to become informed advocates for social change.
Prerequisites: SSP 100.
Note(s): Fulfills Bridge Experience requirement.
LA 206 - The Frontera Effect
Credits: 3
An investigation into the question of authorized identity and social hierarchy generated from a history of policies regulating border-crossing from Mexico to the United States. Students will examine the myths and the realities of rhetoric surrounding the U.S./Mexico border wall, and the frontera effect (the border effect) that influences the American psyche. Students study key historical landmarks that have fortified the essence of division beginning at the border and spreading across the country, to consider present-day policies and imagined narrative that inform our understanding of power and identity based on a physical and a psychological border. Theory and practice combine in this course as students study the geopolitical psychology of border divisions as a prelude to field trips to meet with human rights activists in Western New York who advocate for undocumented dairy farm workers, and to tour the backstretch of the Saratoga thoroughbred racetrack to meet a community of border-crossers in Saratoga Springs.
Prerequisites: SSP 100.
Note(s): Fulfills Bridge Experience and Humanistic Inquiry requirements.
LA 231 - Latinidades: Reconfiguring Identities in the U.S.
Credits: 3
An exploration of the work of Latino/a writers considering the ways in which they have depicted and imagined the experiences of moving between and within nations. Students will consider the impact these movements have had in the configuration of Latino/a identities.
Note(s): Fulfills Humanistic Inquiry and Global Cultural Perspectives requirements.
LA 251 - Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Credits: 1-4
Topically organized courses at the intermediate level focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in Latin American Studies. Topics vary from year to year, depending upon specialization and research interests of the instructor.
Note(s): May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
LA 305 - Working with Latin American and Latinx Communities
Credits: 1
A learning and community engagement class for which students volunteer or work in an internship in a Latin American country or Latinx communities in the United States or internationally. Students are introduced to the history and culture relevant to the places and peoples engaged and to the role that the international community (in particular the United States government, organizations, and volunteers) has played in past and present. Enrollment in this course is a co-requisite for participating in an alternative spring break off-campus experience developed by LALS and the Office of Community Services. Since 2014, the program has supported an alternate spring break in Guatemala.
Note(s): Must be taken S/U.
LA 351 - Advanced Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Credits: 1-4
Topically organized courses at the advanced level focused on selected problems, areas, and issues of special interest in Latin American Studies. Topics vary from year to year, depending upon specialization and research interests of the instructor.
Note(s): May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
LA 371 - Independent Study
Credits: 3
An opportunity for qualified students to pursue independent study or research in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member. The written study proposal must be approved by the Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Coordinator, in consultation with the Advisory Board.
LA 377 - Colloquium in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Credits: 1
The course includes presentations and discussions by students, faculty, and guest lecturers, instruction on library research, writing, and oral presentation skills. It may also include field trips or a small community service project.
Note(s): Fall semester only. Must be taken S/U. May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
LA 399 - Professional Internship In Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Credits: 1-4
Internship or professional experience at an advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic and cocurricular experience in the minor field. With faculty sponsorship and program approval, students will select an internship and also produce a major research paper related to the area of internship.
Note(s): Research topic must be approved by the faculty sponsor and the on-site supervisor.
Cross-Listed Courses that Count for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AH 151 | Special Topics in Art History (when topic is Visual Cultures of America) | 3 |
| AH 208 | 3 | |
| AN 205 | Mesoamerican Archaeology | 3 |
| AH 227 | Modern Latin American Art: Politics of Authenticity | 3 |
| AN 229 | Mexican Cultures | 3 |
| AN 322 | Sports in the Americas | 3 |
| AN 328 | Built Environments: Archaeology of Architecture | 3 |
| AN 349 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| EC 282 | Economics of Latin America | 3 |
| HI 111 | Latin American History: An Introduction | 3 |
| HI 251A-D | (when topic relates to Latin America) | 1-4 |
| HI 228 | Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America | 3 |
| HI 229 | War and Peace in Twentieth-Century Latin America | 3 |
| HI 230 | History Through Travel: Latin America 1500-1900 | 3 |
| HI 330 | Politics/Society in Latin Amer | 3 |
| HI 351A-D | (when topic relates to Latin America) | 1-4 |
| IA 351C-D | (when topic is Colorism in Paradise) | 1-4 |
| IA 353 | Afrophobia and Africana Religions | 4 |
| PL 209 | The Latin American Puzzle | 4 |
| PL 309 | Latin America and the United States | 3 |
| SO 204 | Introduction to Race, Class, and Gender | 3 |
| SO 251A-D | (when topic relates to Latin America) | 1-4 |
| SO 351A-D | (when topic relates to Latin America) | 1-4 |
| WLL 265 | 3 | |
| WLS 212 | Spanish-American Literature and Culture | 4 |
| WLS 221 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers | 4 |
| WLS 301 | 4 | |
| WLS 319 | Contemporary Spanish-American Fiction | 3 |
| WLS 321 | 3 | |
| WLS 323 | Spanish in the Media | 4 |
| WLS 324B | 4 | |
| WLS 330 | Spanish-American Thought | 3 |
| WLS 331 | Tales of the Wondrous Lands: The Hispanic Transatlantic World | 3 |
| WLS 363 | Special Studies in Spanish (when topic relates to Latin America or is Crime Without Punishment) | 3 |
| WLS 376 | Senior Seminar (when topic relates to Latin America or French Carribean) | 3 |
Cross-Listed Courses - Partial Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AH 103 | 4 | |
| AM 231 | Ethnic and Immigrant Experience | 3 |
| AM 236 | 4 | |
| BI 325 | Tropical Ecology | 3 |
| EC 314 | International Economics | 3 |
| EC 334 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| PL 315 | Immigration Politics and Policy | 4 |
| PL 339 | International Political Economy and the Environment | 4 |
| TH 334 | Special Studies in Theater History and Theory (when topic is Theater for Social Change) | 3 |
| WLF 220 | Language Across the Curriculum | 1 |
| WLS 220 | Language Across the Curriculum | 1 |