Latin American Studies

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.

This course examines the distribution of land and people across Latin America in the context of the continent's natural geography. It explores the impact of the location of major cities, industrialization, urbanization, rural development, social inequality, and globalization. The course pays special attention to the possibility of the diplomatic and economic integration of the Latin American world. Methodologies are interdisciplinary, with concepts and techniques drawn from sociology, geography, anthropology, and history.

This course discusses state terrorism during the military dictatorship and issues in the quest for truth and justice. It explores the concept of human rights as encompassing issues related not only to political repression but also ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic inequality, and gender. This course studies different cultural products that represent aspects of human rights including: literature; photography; painting; theater; film.