ACADEMICS
Latin American Studies Concentration
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Latin American Studies Concentration is a multidisciplinary program that offers students a regional focus to complement their disciplinary focus. The concentration provides a coherent framework for the study of Latin America. The concentration is designed to prepare students for careers requiring specialized knowledge of the peoples, cultures and social systems of Latin America.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCENTRATION The Latin American Studies Concentration requires 18 hours of coursework, 9 hours of which must be taken at Drake. Latin American Studies concentrators must demonstrate second language competence equivalent to one year of college study. Study abroad in Latin America is strongly advised. There are two options for study abroad: 1) a semester or year abroad with an affiliated program in Latin America; and 2) the Latin American Studies two-week travel seminar during the May interim term. The concentration offers an optional three-hour Integrative Independent Study ideally undertaken in the student's senior year and serving as a capstone experience.
The distribution of courses comprising the concentration is determined by the student in consultation with his or her Latin American Studies adviser. Together, student and adviser design a multidisciplinary program with courses chosen from at least three different disciplines. Courses chosen to complete the concentration should complement the student's major as well as fulfill the goals of the Latin American Studies Program. Students are encouraged to develop a special thematic or regional interest (for example, human rights in Latin America, the U.S.-Mexico border region) and to pursue that interest through a relevant cluster of courses.
In choosing courses, major emphasis should be given to courses with a Latin American regional focus (including transfer credit from study abroad programs):
- ECON 175 (Econcomic Development)
- ENG 164 (Latino/a Literature)
- ENG 165 (Postcolonial Literature: The Amèricas)
- HIST 125 (Colonial Latin America)
- HIST 124 (Aztecs, Incas, and Mayas)
- HIST 123 (Modern Mexico)
- HIST 126 (Modern Latin America)
- HIST 170 (Sex and Power in Aztec Empire)
- POLS 164 (Government and Politics in Latin America)
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