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TRANSAMERICAN LATINO/A STUDIES
WHAT IS IT?
TransAmerican
Latino/a Studies is an academic track in the Spanish section of the
Department of Foreign Languages. It is an interdisciplinary
opportunity intended for students who seek to be proficient in the
Spanish language, while acquiring an understanding of Chicano/a, U.S
Latino/as, Latin American and Caribbean identities. In addition to
high linguistic competency in Spanish, the TransAmerican Latino/a
Studies track provides an interdisciplinary perspective that may
include courses in the fields of History, Anthropology, Sociology,
English, Political Science and Ethnic Studies. This multifaceted
approach to the cultures of the Americas and Spanish language will
prepare students to engage in a life long dialogue with contemporary
issues that will have a direct bearing on their lives.
WHAT DOES TRANSAMERICAN
LATINO/A STUDIES MEAN?
TransAmerican
Latino/a Studies refers to the transnational processes of the
western hemisphere in exploring the connections though the cultural
and social landscape of identities of the American continents.
Contemporary North and South America are and have been defined by
the movement of people through immigration, migration and
transmigration. As the United States continues to be impacted by the
growing demographic, cultural, political and economic presence of
Spanish-speaking communities, we face an increased demand to
understand the dynamic cultural exchange between the north and
south.
WHAT TYPE OF STUDENTS
CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM?
This program is
designed to enable students in many fields: Anthropology, Business,
Communications, Economics, Education, Health Care, History, Ethnic
Studies, Pre-Law, Marketing, International Relations, Political
Science, etc., to gain the linguistic competencies and the cultural
aptitudes necessary to effectively work and develop productive ties
in this rapidly changing world. By analyzing a broad array of
Spanish language cultural and literary productions at the
intersection of culture, geography and history, students will
develop critical thinking skills in a second language.
REQUIREMENTS:
● SPANISH 362: "Hispanic Literature and Cultures
in the United States"
In this interdisciplinary course, students will be exposed to a
wide array of cultural production from the Latino communities in the
United States including fiction, film, testimony, poetry, theater,
music, visual arts, popular culture and foods. Students will
critically engage texts from the standpoint of key sociopolitical
moments in order to explore the effects of history in the migratory
fluxes that continue to shape the demographic, political and
cultural reality of the Unites States. Rather than presenting the
different Latino identities in isolation from each other, the course
is designed thematically so that students can trace the intersecting
commonalities and despairing contrasts in regards to, borderlands,
migration, “acculturation”, labor, gender issues, popular culture,
“minorities of the minorities” (ei: indigenous, and afro-latin),
spanglish, etc. The study of the bilingual and multicultural nature
of Latinos will serve as a gateway to understanding past and
present. This course will strengthen student’s analytical skills, as
well as competency in writing, reading and oral ability in Spanish.
It is meant so that future professionals can be prepared to
culturally understand today’s changing world.
Expected level of proficiency: Spanish 315 or permission of the
instructor.
MLAC 107: “Our
America’s : Crossing Borders, Cultures, and Histories"
This course is the
introductory course for the TransAmerican Latino/a Studies tack and
it explores the commonalities and intersections between North and
South America as defined not only by the movement of people, but
also of ideas. In this course we will pay particular attention to
the reciprocal forces that have shaped not only today’s U.S reality,
but also how this country has also marked the cultural trajectory of
the South. It exposes students to the most important
cultural/intellectual movements and exchanges across the continents.
“Our Americas:
Crossing Borders, Cultures and Histories” is intended to serve both
as a conceptual foundation for this area of specialization, as well
as an introductory course for the broader student community
interested in understanding north-south dynamics, especially in the
areas of International Studies, History, Anthropology/ Sociology,
Ethnic Studies. In addition to satisfying a requirement for a track
in the Spanish section of the Foreign Languages, it also serves as
an elective for International Studies and may fulfill the Ethnic
Studies categories. This course is offered in English every three
semesters. Instructor: Julia Medina
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INTERDISCIPLINARY COMPONENT
TransAmerican
Latino/a Studies is an interdisciplinary track that merges
competency in a second language as well as training in different
fields. Since most students choose to double-major and/or have to
fulfill their modes and categories requirement, the TransAmerican
Latino/a Studies major must take one of the following:
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-History 142:
Modern Latin American History
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-History 270:
Going North: Latin American Immigration and the U.S.
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-History 301:
Gender and Sexuality in the Spanish Speaking World
OR
Approved courses from the Departments of Anthropology and Sociology,
Political Science, English or Ethnic Studies.
● .5 UNIT OF
INDEPENDENT STUDY
All majors of
Spanish or any foreign language must travel abroad. To obtain a
specialization in TransAmerican Latino/a Studies, students must
fulfill that experience in travel through the American Continent.
Some choices
include but are not limited to:
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-Chicago Center
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-Borders Program
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-Mexico: Guanajuato or Puebla
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-Dominican Republic: Santiago
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-Perú: Lima
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-Chile: Valparaiso
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-Argentina: Córdoba or Buenos Aires
For More information please contact:
Julia Medina
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