Latin American Studies

Overview

Our students choose one of three main areas of focus for their studies: Spanish, which encompasses the entire Spanish-Speaking world through courses taught in Spanish; Latin American Studies, which explores Central and South America and the Caribbean through more courses taught in English, and Latino/a Studies, which focuses on U.S. Latina/os through courses taught in English. The three areas not only make connections with each other; they also frequently cross-list courses with Film Studies, Gender Studies, History, Sociology, and Critical Social Thought, providing a broad and complex set of course offerings as well as breadth of vision as a department.

The interdisciplinary Latin American Studies major requires a minimum of 40 credits. Majors choose a primary area of interest and plan their course work in close consultation with their advisor. They’re also expected to take at least two courses in other areas and to have a command of Spanish or Portuguese.

The interdisciplinary Bachelor in Latin American studies from Mount Holyoke College emphasizes critical approaches to:

•  the culture
•  history
•  society
•  political economy of the region.

 As societies long defined by and in opposition to external powers, Latin America and the Caribbean have in modern times developed distinctive national and cultural identities celebrated on a world stage in art, music, and literature. The major and minor study the region in its enormous geographic diversity— from plantation to highland Americas, from Mexico to Argentina; and linguistic variety—four European, several Creole, and numerous indigenous languages. Students pursue course work in several thematic and geographic areas.