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LACAS Sample Courses

Current class schedules and course information are listed in the Schedule of Classes. You can find additional useful information in the official . Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are offered every year.

LACS 103 (ALSO GEOG 103): MULTICULTURAL GEOGRAPHIES OF THE U.S.
LACS 180: A-Z, SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES
May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 182 A-Z (ALSO HIST 182 A-Z): SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY

LACS 200: INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES
This interdisciplinary course provides an introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing the region's history, politics, society, and culture. A central theme will be resistance: histories of resistance, what constitutes resistance, and what makes for effective resistance. Additional topics include the state; colonialism and anti-colonialism; race and ethnicity; social movements; diasporas and migrations; gender; and U.S. interventions. The course will introduce various approaches to studying Latin America. Offered every Fall. 

LACS 202: THE MODERN CARIBBEAN
An interdisciplinary introduction to the Caribbean, from the Haitian Revolution to the present. Topics include empires and the making of the Caribbean; slavery and emancipation; labor and capitalism; race; nationalism, colonialism and neo-colonialism; revolution and resistance; gender and sexuality; diasporas; and cultural expressions. Offered every Spring. 4 credits

LACS 210: LATINX IN THE U.S.
This course introduces topics such as: Latin American immigration to the U.S.; impact of Latinx on the U.S.; effects of U.S. expansionism and forein policies on Latinx and Latin Americans; effects of immigration and border policies; how race, ethnicity, nationality, color, class, gender, and sexual orientation have been practiced and expressed within Latinx communities; perceptions of Latinx by other groups; individual and group identities; interactions with other ethnic groups; and social and political movements. Offered every Spring. 4 credits

LACS 240 (ALSO SOC 240): WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE U.S.

LACS 261 (ALSO ANTH 262): ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS OF PERU

LACS 262 (ALSO SOC 262): GENDER AND SOCIETY
Examines the ways in which representations of gender have been understood in terms of race and in terms of how this racialization has intersected social class and sexuality within dominant U.S. cultures. Explores the representation of gender from diverse socio-historical and cultural perspectives.

LACS 263 (ALSO ANTH 263): ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE INCAS AND SOUTH AMERICAN EMPIRES

LACS 271: RESEARCH METHODS IN LACS
Research Methods in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Familiarizes students with the broad range of digital and print resources in the social sciences and the humanities available through the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Libraries and the internet. Students gain hands-on experience in using these resources while learning about research methodologies for the study of contemporary and historical issues relevant to the Caribbean, Latin America, and communities of Latin American and Caribbean origin in the U.S. Students design, write, present, and revise their own research papers.

LACS 280 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES
May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 281 A-Z (ALSO HIST 281 A-Z): SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY

LACS 282 A-Z (ALSO HIST 282 A-Z): SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY

LACS 284 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CULTURE
Intensive study of particular Latin American and Caribbean cultural developments and movements (e.g., music, theater, art). May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 302: HUMAN RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA
This course focuses on the dramatic post Cold-War transformation of human rights as a focus of social struggle in The Americas and the effect the "War on Terror" has had in rolling back human rights gains. We explore these questions through an examination of human rights struggles in Central, South, and North America. Drawing on the multidisciplinary literature in this field, particularly from Sociology and Political Science, a central focus will center on resistance to violations of human rights by social movements in The Americas.

LACS 303: LATIN AMERICAN SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Inequalities of power and privilege have always existed throughout history. However, some periods of history are more likely to spawn protest movements by subordinated groups. Using sociological theories of development and change, the course examines the rise of social movements in 20th Century Latin America and the changing role of U.S. intervention in the region. It looks at the neo-liberal era, the limits of formal political democratization, and the rise and decline of the globalization project as it has occurred in Latin America.

LACS 304: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
As globalization and industrial development have advanced, populations throughout the world have suffered from environmental degradation. Poor, minority, and working-class communities have been particularly affected. This course examines the development of environmental activism and resistance movements in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S., as well as alternative economic models and practices that are intended to protect local communities and the environment. 4 Credits.

LACS 306: CARIBBEAN WOMEN WRITERS
This course examines short stories and novels by writers from the Spanish, English, and French-speaking Caribbean from a decolonizing perspective. It discusses the impact of French, British, and Spanish colonialism on the societies in which the texts were produced and then proceeds to a close reading of each one from a literary angle. The course focuses on the texts as they relate to the cultural diversity of the region as well as the specificity of gender issues as represented in these fictional works. 4 credits

LACS 310: ASIAN AND LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRATION TO THE U.S.
This interdisciplinary course employs social-science perspectives to compare and contrast Asian and Latin American immigration to the U.S. The course examines the impact of laws and policies on Asian and Latin American immigration, the conditions faced by Asian and Latin American immigrants in the U.S., and their responses to those conditions. In addition, the course considers the overall impact of Asian and Latin American immigration on the U.S. 4 Credits.

LACS 311: BLACK, LATINX AND ASIAN GANGS
Black, Latinx and Asian Gangs: This is an interdisciplinary course that examines the emergence and evolution of Asian, Latinx, and African-American "gangs" in the U.S., particularly New York City and Los Angeles, in order to unravel the myths surrounding them and to further understand the interrelationship between identity, gender, racial formation, territory, and poverty. Close attention will be paid to criminalization as a form of social control and the proliferation of regulations, ordinances, and legislative acts that give legal form to various methods of discipline and punishment. Moreover, the course will explore diverse forms of opposition and resistance conceived and enacted by gangs and other social groups to societal conditions and incarceration. 4 Credits.

LACS 313 (ALSO SOC 313): SLAVERY, RACE, CULTURE
LACS 314 (ALSO SOC 302): SOCIOLOGY OF LATIN AMERICA
LACS 321 (ALSO SOC 321): RACE AND CULTURAL RELATIONS IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY
LACS 328 (ALSO SOC 328): COMPARATIVE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
LACS 330 (ALSO SOC 330): LATIN AMERICAN WOMEN AND THEIR COMMUNITIES
LACS 336 (ALSO HDEV 336): BLACK CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
LACS 339 (ALSO HDEV 339): BLACK FAMILIES
LACS 340 (ALSO SOC 340): WOMEN AND THE U.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
LACS 342 (ALSO SOC 342): SEXUAL TRAFFICKING, SEXUAL TOURISM
LACS 344 (ALSO SPAN 344):  ADVANCE READING & INTERPRETATION
LACS 352 (ALSO HDEV 352): GENDER, POWER AND DIFFERENCE
LACS 360 (ALSO SPAN 360): HISPANIC CULTURE
LACS 363 (ALSO ANTH 363): ANTHROPOLOGY OF DEVELOPING NATIONS
LACS 365 (ALSO HDEV 365), PSYCHOLOGY OF RACISM
LACS 370 (ALSO SPAN 370): HISPANIC LITERATURE
LACS 373 (ALSO HIST 373): RACE IN LATIN AMERICA
LACS 374 (ALSO SOC 374): OIL POLITICS
LACS 375 (ALSO HDEV 374): PSYCHOLOGY OF HIV AND AIDS
LACS 380 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES
May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 382 A-Z (ALSO HIST 382 A-Z): SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
LACS 383 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN LITERATURE
May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 384 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CULTURE
Intensive study of particular Latin American and Caribbean cultural developments and movements (e.g., music, theater, art). May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 395: INTERNSHIP
See LACAS Director.

LACS 397: INDEPENDENT STUDY
See individual LACAS professor.

LACS 465 (ALSO HDEV 465): RESEARCHING IMMIGRANT LIVES
LACS 480 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES
May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 482 A-Z (ALSO HIST 482 A-Z): SENIOR SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
LACS 483: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE
May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.
var. cr.

LACS 484 A-Z: SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN CULTURE
Intensive study of particular Latin American and Caribbean cultural developments and movements (e.g., music, theater, art). May be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.

LACS 491: TEACHING PRACTICUM
Independent study in which an undergraduate student (Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, UTA) assists a faculty member with a particular LACAS course. The ultimate objective is to mentor UTAs who want to gain a basic sense of what is entailed in teaching a university course. May be repeated for total of eight credits. Credit may not be used in conjunction with course in which the student is currently enrolled. Does not satisfy major or Harpur College Distribution requirements.

LACS 482 A-Z (ALSO HIST 482 A-Z): SENIOR SEMINAR IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
LACS 496: INDEPENDENT FIELD RESEARCH
Off-campus independent field research. A LACAS professor and the LACAS Director must approve in advance the proposed project. The student then writes a proposal in communication with an on-site academic institution or organization and a LACAS professor. The work may subsequently be written up as a senior thesis (LACS 498) during the term after returning from the field. Variable Credit.

LACS 497: INDEPENDENT STUDY
See individual LACAS professor. Variable credit.

LACS 498: SENIOR THESIS
The senior thesis, under the guidance of a LACAS professor, is the written result of a substantive research project (which may be undertaken in LACS 496 or 497). Thesis may be submitted for consideration for Honors on advice of the instructor. Variable Credit.