LAS 200 INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
A comprehensive introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean, this course provides a foundation for understanding the cultures and societies of the region. The course focuses on the diversity of cultures, indigenous peoples and those who came later, past and present interactions between this region and the rest of the world, and literature, art, and music. This course counts as a social science in the Core Curriculum requirements.
Kercher, Loustaunau, Grijalva/Three credits
HIS 250 COLONIAL LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
This course is intended as a survey of colonial Latin American history. It traces the historical origins of Latin American society, focusing on the conflict of the clash of cultures. Themes include an examination into Iberian and pre-Columbian societies; conquest and subordination of Amerindian civilizations by Spain and Portugal; the structure and distribution of power, land, and labor in post-conquest Latin America; and the order and instability of colonial society. A major theme is the nature of inter-ethnic conflict between the European, African, and Indigenous peoples which made up the complex social fabric of the colony. Not open to students who have completed HIS 256.
Christensen/Three credits
HIS 251 MODERN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1821
This course is intended as a survey of Modern Latin American history beginning with independence from Spain, and following through the explosive impact of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The course ends with an examination of the present-day struggle for democracy and economic stability in Latin American nations, such as Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Columbia, and the countries of the Central American republics. The themes of the course focus on the causes and consequences of structural instability in Latin America since 1800. Special emphasis is placed on the collapse of the region’s traditional liberal/export model of national development in the 1930s and current political and economic crisis.
Christensen/Three credits
SPA 231 SURVEY OF LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE
A critical study of literary periods and movements in Latin America. Reading and analysis of representative selections from major works. Prerequisite: SPA 140. This course satisfies the Humanities requirement in the Core curriculum.
Grijalva/Three credits
CLT 256 LATINO VOICES
The course explores the themes of cultural and national identity in major novels, short stories, television programs, films, and non-fiction created by Latino writers of the United States. Our readings address specific issues of ethnicity and race in the context of contemporary literary and cultural studies. Our discussions will attempt to answer the following questions: What are the characteristics of the Latino text? Does the fact that a writer or director heralds from Hispanic descent necessarily render her or his fictional product a Latino text? Is there really one, sole Latino community represented in the texts, or rather, do we encounter a plurality of definitions of community? How does each text's structure reflect the themes of transculturation and immigration? How does each writer and director use language(s)? Why are most of these texts written or performed primarily in English? Why do many of them narrate the experiences of young adolescents who immigrate to the United States? How has the existing body of critical studies on these texts affected the production of a Latino canon?
The emergence of a body of literature that may be classified as "Latino" requires new critical investigations that attempt to answer these complicated questions. Discussions will include the analysis of texts as cultural artifacts that enable students to establish meaningful queries into the social and cultural dimensions of the Latino experience. We will use our discussions of the texts as a springboard for further reflection on the topics of cultural conflicts, race, gender, and language in the shaping of Latino identities.
GEO 222 REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF SOUTH AMERICA
Although many place names are important, the actual study of Regional Geography does not emphasize the rote knowledge of all rivers, mountains, and cities. The overall concept of the region, its development, its relationship to the stability of the entire continent, and its potential are the most important elements on which to focus. There are place names to know but only in the context of why they are important to their country or to the region. Thus, the conceptualization of how places are located in space is important, but more important is the understanding of those places’ roles in industry, resources, politics, agriculture, and economics. Emphasis is on country by country review of natural resources, industry, physical structure, economic viability, its role in South America, and its potential for development in the new millennium.
Hickey/Three credits
HIS 250 COLONIAL LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
This course is intended as a survey of colonial Latin American history. It traces the historical origins of Latin American society, focusing on the conflict of the clash of cultures. Themes include an examination into Iberian and pre-Columbian societies; conquest and subordination of Amerindian civilizations by Spain and Portugal; the structure and distribution of power, land, and labor in post-conquest Latin America; and the order and instability of colonial society. A major theme is the nature of inter-ethnic conflict between the European, African, and Indigenous peoples which made up the complex social fabric of the colony. Not open to students who have completed HIS 256.
Christensen/Three credits
HIS 251 MODERN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1821
This course is intended as a survey of Modern Latin American history beginning with independence from Spain, and following through the explosive impact of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The course ends with an examination of the present-day struggle for democracy and economic stability in Latin American nations, such as Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Columbia, and the countries of the Central American republics. The themes of the course focus on the causes and consequences of structural instability in Latin America since 1800. Special emphasis is placed on the collapse of the region’s traditional liberal/export model of national development in the 1930s and current political and economic crisis.
Christensen/Three credits
HIS 389 SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY
This course permits the study of selected topics in history. The topic normally changes every time the course is offered. The course fulfills a Latin American and Latino Studies elective when the topic is in this area.
Staff/Three credits
HIS 401 HISTORY PRO-SEMINAR
Designed primarily for History majors and minors in their junior or senior year, the Pro-seminar is formally linked to the History Seminar (HIS 402WE), taught by the same instructor in the same semester on a topic of the instructor’s choice. The Pro-seminar offers a broad survey of an historical subject or period, while the Seminar provides an opportunity for in-depth study and independent research on a discrete topic. (Fall)
Staff/Three credits
HIS 402WE HISTORY SEMINAR
A writing- and research-oriented course designed primarily for History majors and minors, the Seminar introduces students to the practice of historical scholarship. Students intensively study an historical problem or subject, and they conduct individual research on different aspects of the seminar topic. Previous seminars have treated the American Revolution, Slave Narratives, Renaissance Humanism, the Holocaust, Salem Village Witchcraft, the Dreyfus Affair, the Vietnam War, and World War II in the Pacific. The seminar is taken in conjunction with a Pro-seminar (History 391), a course providing background and context for the seminar topic. The Pro-seminar is taken in the same semester as the Seminar, usually in the junior or senior year. This seminar fulfills the Writing Emphasis requirement in the Core Curriculum. (Fall)
Staff/Three credits
LAS 390 INTERNSHIP
This internship provides students with an experiential learning opportunity while developing an academically oriented project. Students may opt to collaborate with the Latino Education Institute, or other agencies within the Latino community. Prerequisite: a minimum of one course with Latin American content at level 200.
Guerrero-Watanabe/Three credits
LAS 395 SPECIAL TOPICS
This course is an in-depth study of a specific topic on Latin American history, politics, society, culture, or artistic expression.
Staff/Three credit
LAS 399 INDEPENDENT STUDY
This is an individually supervised study of a relevant topic on Latin America. Available only to highly qualified majors who wish to develop a special interest, and have demonstrated ability for independent work. Permission of the program director is required. Prerequisite: a minimum of one course with Latin American content at level 200.
Staff/Three credits
MGT 301 BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
Investigates selected components of the micro-environment which surrounds any organization, and which have a growing impact on managerial processes and decision-making. Specifically examines changing business values, the impact of rapidly changing technology, business ethics, government-business relations, and rapidly shifting societal expectations. Also explores selected issues such as business responsibility with regard to pollution control, energy conservation, health and safety of employees, and employment of minorities. Prerequisites: MGT 100 and Junior/Senior standing (Fall).
Pastille/Three credits.
MGT 311 DIVERSITY IN THE WORK FORCE
The purpose of this seminar is to explore issues and the challenges of managing an increasingly diverse work force. The course focuses on preparing students to work and to manage in multicultural organizations. Special emphasis is placed on topics related to the impact of gender, race, and ethnicity, and other differences on interpersonal relations and group behavior within a managerial organizational context. Prerequisite: MGT 100 or permission of instructor.
LeBlanc /Three credits.
MUS 125 WORLD MUSIC
A survey of musical traditions from around the world, including and examination of the cultures and philosophies that shape them. Topics include instrumentation, form, texture, rhythm, melody, and performance practice in the music of Native Americans, Africa, Central and Southeastern Europe, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Latin America. This course satisfies the Core requirement in Art, Music and Theater.
Clemente/Three credits.
SOC 216 RACIAL AND ETHNIC RELATIONS
This course explores how race and ethnicity structure social relations and identities in the United States. Students will become familiar with the history of race and ethnicity in the U.S. and why it continues to be a central aspect of social life. The course will also focus on a variety of debates regarding the persistence of institutionalized racism and white privilege in the post-Civil Rights era. The process of how class, gender, and sexuality structure various racial and ethnic groups will be explored as well. Current issues on race and ethnicity addressed in this class include: racial profiling, immigration, increasing diversity in the U.S., affirmative action, Ebonics, reverse discrimination, post-September 11th forms of discrimination, and unequal access to employment, housing, and mortgages by race.
Farough/Three credits
SPA 204 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE: SPANISH LANGUAGE
Designed for students to become active readers of literature and develop skills. The students are introduced to the form and structure of various genres of literature through the close reading and analysis of selections from Spanish and Spanish-American prose fiction, poetry, and drama. Prerequisite: SPA 120 or equivalent. This course fulfills the Core requirement in Literature. (Fall and Spring)
Staff/Three credits
SPA 220 SPANISH COMPOSITION
Designed to develop skills in descriptive, narrative, and expository writing in Spanish, this course emphasizes the process of writing. It deals with strategies for generating and organizing ideas through pre-writing, composing, writing, and editing. Writing activities help expand and refine grammatical structures, range of vocabulary, and rhetorical techniques. Not open to students who have completed SPA 301. Prerequisite: SPA 140 or equivalent. (Spring)
Grijalva, Loustaunau, Staff/Three credits
SPA 225 BUSINESS SPANISH: MANAGEMENT
This course enhances the student’s ability to function effectively in an increasingly important commercial language locally, throughout the United States, and abroad. The course provides the student with a solid foundation in Spanish in the vocabulary and discourse used when dealing with the legal constitution of different types of companies; management; banking and accounting; property and equipment; the modern business office and communications; and human resources. The course will also develop the student’s geographic literacy and cultural understanding of the Spanish-speaking world, as these are essential to being able to conduct business successfully in Spanish. The course, to be conducted primarily in Spanish, will include translating and interpreting activities, cross-cultural communication skills used frequently in the world of business and of special importance for managers and leaders who must make informed decisions. Prerequisite: SPA 104 or equivalent.
Kercher/Three credits
SPA 226 BUSINESS SPANISH: MARKETING
This course enhances the student’s ability to function effectively in an increasingly important commercial language locally, in the United States, and abroad. It provides the student with a solid foundation in Spanish in the vocabulary and discourse used when dealing with goods and services, marketing, finance, foreign market entry, and import-export. The course also develops geographic literacy and cultural understanding of the Spanish-speaking world, as these are central to being able to conduct business successfully in Spanish. The course, to be conducted primarily in Spanish, will also include translating and interpreting activities, language skills frequently used in the world of business and of special importance for managers and leaders who must be able to communicate effectively and make well-informed decisions. Please note that SPA 125 and 126 are not sequential. Prerequisite: SPA 104 or equivalent.
Kercher/ Three credits
SPA 231 SURVEY OF LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE
A critical study of literary periods and movements in Latin America. Reading and analysis of representative selections from major works. Prerequisite: SPA 140. This course satisfies the Humanities requirement in the Core curriculum.
Grijalva/Three credits
SPA 380 LATIN AMERICAN CHRONICLES
In this course students will learn about how urban life, violence, and modern cities have been represented by journalist-literary writers in Latin America. We will discuss the relationship between literature and journalism, and between chronicles and other literary genres. In addition, students will examine some works of the “New Journalism” in the United States and its influence over Latin American writers. Intensive Spanish writing will be a major requirement. Prerequisite: any Spanish 200-level or above.. This course satisfies the Humanities requirement in the Core curriculum.
Grijalva/Three credits
SPA 384 MAGICAL REALISM AND THE LITERATURE OF THE FANTASTIC
Magical realism refers to a specific set of narrative works by Latin American writers in the second half of the twentieth century. This course will develop a more comprehensive understanding of this literary movement by analyzing a key number of primary texts along with all the pertinent literary criticism and theory. The textual strategies and techniques that help define these works include the use of rich, detailed language designed to create a realistic setting and characters in the story. The element of magic or the supernatural then enters or manifests itself in this seemingly “real” literary landscape. Although the texts incorporate these bursts of the unexplained, the main body of the text always follows a mimetic approach to fictional production. Our study of these fantastic texts will begin with a discussion of possible pre-cursors of the movement, such as the Argentineans Jorge Borges and Julio Cortázar, and then move on to more seminal texts like Cien años de soledad by Gabriel García Márquez and Eva Luna by Isabel Allende. In the last few weeks, students will have the opportunity to analyze more recent texts to see how magical realism affectscurrent modes of literary production. Prerequisite: any Spanish 200-level or higher. This course satisfies the Humanities requirement in the Core curriculum.
Guerrero-Watanabe/Three credits
Guerrero-Watanabe/Three credits
SOC 236 SOCIAL JUSTICE IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
This course connects Assumption College to the Worcester community and to the global community. The content challenges students to see social issues in wider context, to see how world-wide phenomena and policies have an international impact. Issues the course covers include: global economics and inequality, diversity and multiculturalism, ethnicity and migration patterns, and international social problems such as AIDS, genocide, and slavery. Through examination of these issues students learn to apply sociological theories and concepts. Same as ANT 236.
Perschbacher/Three credits.
ANT 131 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Introduction to the basic concepts and findings of contemporary socio-cultural anthropology. An understanding of diverse human lifestyles around the world will be approached by examining and comparing the culture and social organization of several societies. Content will vary from year to year. This course counts as a social science in the Core Curriculum requirements.
Staff/Three credits
ECO 252 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Using problems encountered by less developed countries, theories of development are presented. The course addresses problems of capital accumulation, resources and population issues, strategies for agricultural and industrial development, government’s role, and relationships between developing and developed economies. Latin American and Latino Studies majors will focus their case work and writing on Latin American economic issues.
Staff/Three credits
ECO 353 INTERNATIONAL TRADE
An examination of the theory of international trade and policies followed by governments with respect to trade of goods and services among countries. Theory examines the gains from trade under classical and modern assumptions, and the impact of various measures used by governments to either restrict or promote trade. Policy analysis focuses on U.S. trade policies and the role of the World Trade Organization. Current topics include trade and the environment, NAFTA, U.S.-China trade, and others as appropriate. Prerequisites: ECO 110 and Junior/Senior standing.
Kantarelis/Three credits
ECO 354 INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
This course covers open economy macroeconomics. Topics include: balance or payments accounting, exchange rate determination, monetary and fiscal policy, and macroeconomic modeling. After examining standard theories and models, the course will explore case studies from recent history in numerous countries. The case studies will focus on: debt and balance of payments crises, speculative currency attacks, European monetary union, International Monetary Fund policy, and the value of the U.S. dollar. Students will engage in research projects. Prerequisites: ECO 110–111 and Junior/Senior standing.
Kantarelis/Three credits
GEO 251 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY
A theoretical look at what crates economies and how they interrelate with physical and human environments. The course has no prerequisites although some knowledge of basic economics is helpful. It begins with an introduction to world economic systems and ranges through economic location theory, retail site analysis, and industrial location, as well as transportation, urban economics and housing. Open to all students.
LAS 400 LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES SEMINAR
An advanced research-oriented course, the seminar examines specific areas or topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. Because of this integrated approach, the course draws upon materials from more than one discipline. The content varies according to interest and the professor’s choice. Recent topics include: Creating a Nation: Mexico; Engaging the Andes: Peru and Ecuador; and Human Rights and Violence in Latin America; among others. The seminar is required of all Latin American and Latino Studies majors. Minors are encouraged to complete their study with this course. Prerequisites: Two courses with Latin American content in any related discipline at 200-level or higher and Senior/Junior standing. With permission of the program director, students who have demonstrated suitable preparation may enroll in this course.
Staff/Three credits
