Latin American Studies

This course provides an overview of Latin American society and culture. Specifically, it focuses on Hispanic culture and its underlying characteristics, and examines the social and historical contexts in which manifestations of popular culture have developed in various regions of Latin America during the 20th century.

This course discusses the configuration and reconfiguration of the contemporary world system and Latin America's place within it. It examines different perspectives of globalization mainly through the lens of sociology and anthropology.  Topics include: approaches, definitions, and emphasis on the meaning and impact of globalization; economic insertion of a world periphery, regional integration systems, and resources at stake in global exchanges; global flows-- migratory, religious, touristic; diffusion and use of digital technologies, new social movements, and the global city from the south.

This is a student-oriented course which focuses on participants' cultural reflections of their experiences in Mexico, D.F. to demonstrate intercultural development. Weekly seminars examine topics such as preconceptions of Mexico City, cultural shock, language and cultural barriers, and relationships, among others. Assessment is based on active participate, weekly journal entries, and an in-class presentation.

This course explores the history of race, ethnicity, nationalism, nation-building processes, and migration in Latin American countries. It offers a study of the influences of Asian immigrant communities on Latin American populations. This course discusses the dynamics and demographics of Asian migration to Latin American and migrants' integration processes into the education system, labor market, and social, political, and cultural life. It focuses on the responses of host societies to Asian immigrant groups such as racism, xenophobia, and other forms of exclusion.