http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/hispanic-studies/

Director, 2007-08: Sylvia Graciela Carullo (Romance Languages), Hispanic literature, culture and art

Faculty, 2007-08: Gwendolyn Barnes-Karol (Romance Languages), Hispanic culture and literature; Maggie Broner (Romance Languages), Hispanic culture and literature; Christopher Chiappari (Sociology/ Anthropology), anthropology of religion, Guatemala; Jean DeLaney (History), Latin American history-past and present; León Narváez (Romance Languages), Hispanic culture and literature, migration studies; Bruce Nordstrom-Loeb (Sociology/Anthropology), sociology/anthropology; Nancy Paddleford (Music), Latin American/Spanish music; David Schodt (Economics), economic development, Ecuador; Kathleen Shea (Biology), tropical biology; Ariel Strichartz (Romance Languages), Hispanic literature and culture; Kristina Thalhammer (Political Science), comparative politics, human rights

Hispanic Studies offers an interdisciplinary structure for the systematic study of Latin America, Spain, and U.S. Latinos, whose distinct geography and cultures are unified by elements of a common heritage. Profound geographic variations, differing economic resources, and the interactions of Hispanic and indigenous cultures have yielded complex and diverse Spanish-speaking societies. Increasing socioeconomic contacts between states and societies in the Americas and the growing presence of Latinos in this country underscore the need for U.S. citizens to deepen their understanding of the region. In doing so, students also find opportunities for reflecting on their own culture and society.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

The requirements for the completion of a Hispanic Studies major consist of eight courses: Spanish 270 or 271; Spanish 272, 273, or 274 (or a substitute course approved by the director of Hispanic Studies); Hispanic Studies 333, Contemporary Issues in Latin America, and five approved courses dealing with Latin America, Spain, or U.S. Latinos. These courses may be chosen from among history, economics, anthropology, sociology, political science, religion, and art, with no more than two courses in any one discipline.

Students may count one Independent Research study towards the major, and they may also count up to three study-abroad courses taken in Latin America or Spain. With the approval of the Hispanic Studies director*, students may have any course with a substantial Hispanic content counted toward their major.

(*Students must contact the Hispanic Studies director as early as possible.)

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Hispanic Studies majors are encouraged to take advantage of the many off-campus programs available to them. Foreign study opportunities in the Hispanic area currently offered to St. Olaf students include: interims in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Spain; the CIEE Program in Seville, Spain; the ACM Programs in Costa Rica, HECUA programs in Guatemala and Ecuador; and the SPAN Program in Latin America; and the IES and CIEE Programs in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Valparaíso, Chile. Students must secure prior approval for foreign study from the Hispanic Studies director.

Hispanic Studies faculty members participate in the Foreign Language Across the Curriculum program, which offers students the opportunity to use their foreign language skills in selected courses. (See FOREIGN LANGUAGES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM under Academic Programs in this catalog.)

COURSES

Hispanic Studies 333 Contemporary Latin American Issues

This seminar focuses on the implications of studying Latin America, or the way in which different conceptualizations of this region have helped to shape Latin America as an object of study. Possible topics for approaching this question include the history of Latin American studies in the United States and the relation between scholarship on Latin America and U.S. policy in the region; Latin American responses to U.S. representations of the region; the production of images of lo indigena according to Western expectations; and indigenous cultures and globalization. Offered in alternate years. FLAC option available.

Spanish 250 Gateway to the Spanish-Speaking World

Students explore the topic of family and society in the Spanish-speaking world and develop critical reading skills by analyzing cultural documents (literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work). This cultural analysis provides for extensive writing (e.g., description, narration, exposition, and argumentation). Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 232 or placement into Spanish 250.

Spanish 270 Spain's Cultural and Linguistic Legacy (Abroad)

This topics course explores a Spanish peninsular cultural, literary, and/or linguistic theme from a base in Madrid through analysis and discussion of texts, guest lectures, excursions to appropriate cultural sites, field research, and related experiential activities. Sample topics include: Christians, Jews and Muslims in Spain, and Spain's Autonomous Communities. Prerequisite: Spanish 250. Offered only during Interim.

Spanish 271 Cultural Heritage of Spain

Students examine the diverse elements that have shaped Spanish culture through an exploration of political, social, economic, religious, and artistic topics. They develop critical analysis skills through reading, discussion, and written and/or oral projects. This course includes the study of selected literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 250.

Spanish 272 Cultural Heritage of Latin America

Students examine the diverse elements that have shaped Latin American culture through an exploration of political, social, economic, religious, and artistic topics. They develop critical analysis skills through reading, discussion, and written and/or oral projects. The course features the study of selected literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 250.

Spanish 273 Cultural Heritage of the Hispanic U.S.

Students examine the diverse elements that have shaped the cultures of U.S. Hispanics through an exploration of political, social, economic, religious, and artistic topics. They develop skills in critical analysis through reading, discussion, and written and/or oral projects. The course features the study of selected literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 250.

Spanish 274 Contemporary Issues in the Spanish-Speaking World

Students analyze patterns of continuity and change in Spain, Latin America, and/or the Hispanic U.S. Using readings from the press, academic sources, and governmental as well as non-governmental documents, students read, discuss, and write about issues at an advanced level of linguistic and analytical sophistication. The course includes study of at least one substantive literary work. Possible themes include love, family and marriage, or crossing borders and the challenges of migration. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 250.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Economics 243, Economic Development
History 125, The Maya: Colonial Times to the Present
History 240,* Major Seminar: Non-Western History
History 241, Historical Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity in Latin America
History 242, Modern Latin America
History 243, 20th Century Cuba
History 244, Revolutionary Cuba (Abroad)
History 340,* Non-Western Seminar
Political Science 252, Politics and Development
Political Science 257, U.S.-Latin American Relations
Political Science 264, Latin American Politics
Political Science 367, Seminar in Latin American Politics
Political Science 386, Topics in Political Development
Sociology/Anthropology 237, Forging a Latin American Culture
Sociology/Anthropology 264, Race and Class in American Culture

* When focused on a Latin American topic