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About the Program

The Latin American Studies program, firmly grounded in the liberal arts tradition, combines academic disciplines and includes a strong language component. The curriculum brings together courses from six departments: Anthropology/Sociology, Economics, History, Modern Languages (Spanish), Music, and International Studies. The interdisciplinary approach to Latin American Studies at Rhodes College means that students benefit from exposure to an array of methodologies, theories, and cultural considerations, making Latin American Studies an outstanding course of study for those considering careers in government, business, law, the Peace Corps, education, and journalism.

Latin America is one of the most dynamic regions in the world in terms of economic growth, regional integration, investment, and preservation of natural resources. The links that tie the United States to Latin America are many; they involve trade and finance, politics, and culture. Latin American music, art and sports have all made a place for themselves in mainstream culture in the United States, in rural as well as urban areas. The increasing interdependence of the Americas demands that students gain as much exposure as possible to the issues and forces related to the constantly changing relationships between the United States and Latin America.

Curriculum

Major:
A total of forty-five (45) credits as follows:

1. Each of the eleven following courses:
   Anthropology/Sociology 103: Introduction to Anthropology or 205: Victims of Progress
   Economics 101: Introduction to Economics
   Economics 102: Introduction to Economics
   History 261: Colonial Latin American
   History 262: Modern Latin America
   International Studies 200: Introduction to Comparative Politics
   International Studies 273: Latin American Politics and Society
   International Studies 274: Issues in US-Latin American Relations or History 363: History of U.S.-Latin American Relations
   Spanish 301: Advanced Spanish Language and Civilization
   Spanish 306: Introduction to Latin American Culture and Literature
   Latin American Studies 485: Senior Seminar
   
2. Two of the following courses:
   Anthropology/Sociology 335: Modernization and Cultural Change
   Anthropology/Sociology 346: Peoples of South America (Amazonia)
   Anthropology/Sociology 350: Contemporary South American Society and Culture
   Music 119: Music in Latin America
   
3. Two of the following courses:
   Spanish 309: Spanish in Ecuador
   Spanish 310: Spanish in Memphis
   Spanish 320: Spanish American Drama
   Spanish 330: Spanish American Poetry
   Spanish 340: Latin American Colonial Literature
   Spanish 360: Gender in Spanish American Literature
   Spanish 370: Contemporary Southern Cone Literature
   Spanish 405: Literature of Mexico after 1911
   Spanish 406: Contemporary Novel of Spanish America
   Spanish 408: Spanish American Short Story
   Spanish 365: Special Topics in Spanish (only when dealing with a Latin American topic)

Minor:
A total of twenty-four (24) credits as follows:

1. Anthropology/Sociology 103 or 105
2. Anthropology/Sociology 335, 346 or 350
3. History 261, 262
4. International Studies 200, 273, and 274
5. Spanish 306

Faculty

Alberto del Pozo Martínez, MA. Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Eric Henager, Ph.D. Department of Modern Languages and LiteraturesWillie Hiatt, Ph.D. Department of History
Nora Jabbour, MA. Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
David Jilg, MFA. Department of Theatre
Michael LaRosa, Ph.D. Department of History
Jeanne Lopiparo, Ph.D. Department of Anthropology and Sociology
Laura Luque de Johnson, Ph.D. Deparment of Biology
Elizabeth Pettinaroli, Ph.D. Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Amy Risley, Ph.D. Department of International Studies

Outside the Classroom

In addition to a diverse and challenging course of study, the program gives students the opportunity to study in Latin America through selected programs at the Pontífica Universidad Católica in Santiago de Chile, FLASCO in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Universidad de Lima, Perú. Other programs in Latin America are also available, including a faculty-led short course in Cuenca, Ecuador. Students are encouraged to study or visit Latin America as part of their academic training.

As a part of the program, Latin American Studies minors and majors work with the local Spanish-speaking community through service-learning courses and internships. The Hispanic population of Memphis has grown significantly over the past decade, providing a wide array of opportunities for involvement. Bilingual education, English language instruction, legal aid, translation services and health services are just a few of the areas in which Latin American Studies students at Rhodes College make important contributions to the Latino community while acquiring life-changing skills and experiences. Students who have taken advantage of this opportunity have gone on to work in law firms, nonprofit organizations, schools, and government offices, and many have furthered their academic careers in graduate school.

As they advance as scholars in Latin American Studies, students have the opportunity to present their research at the annual Undergraduate Latin American Studies Symposium of the American Colleges of the South (ACS) held every spring at Birmingham-Southern College. The papers are later published in the Proceedings of the Symposium. Latin American Studies participants are involved in a number of other on-campus cultural activities, including visiting speakers, films, celebrations and musical events.

After Rhodes

Interested program participants have the opportunity to apply for the Five-Year Cooperative Degree Program between Rhodes College and the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) of Georgetown University. The agreement allows qualified Latin American Studies majors who have demonstrated an interest and competence in the field to complete a master’s degree within two semesters and a summer (one year) at Georgetown University. Students are guaranteed admission to Georgetown if they meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.