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:

• CAPSTONE COURSE

FRNL 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

• 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:

• History 142: Modern Latin American History
• History 270: Going North: Latin American Immigration and the U.S.
• 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.

• OFF CAMPUS STUDIES

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:

• Chicago Center
• Borders Program
• Mexico: Guanajuato or Puebla
• Dominican Republic: Santiago
• Perú: Lima
• Chile: Valparaiso
• Argentina: Córdoba or Buenos Aires

For more information please contact: Julia Medina