Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Karnoutsos Arts and Sciences Hall, Room 606

The Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies Program is involved in research in various aspects of Latin American and Caribbean studies. The Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies Program at NJCU addresses the need in our pluralistic society to broaden one's knowledge about Latin America, the Caribbean, and North Americans of Latin American and Caribbean ancestry. The program focuses on the complex geopolitical, economic, social, and environmental realities of the developing countries and territories to the south of the United States, with specific emphasis on the Caribbean region.

David Blackmore, Coordinator
Professor of English
Harvard University, A.B.; University of California, Los Angeles, M.A., Ph.D.

Virginia Ochoa-Winemiller
Associate Professor of Latin American, Caribbean & Latino Studies
Yucatan Autonomous University, B.A.; Louisiana State University, M.A., Ph.D.

Mirtha N. Quintanales
Associate Professor of Latin American, Caribbean & Latino Studies
University of Illinois, B.A.; Ohio State University, M.A., Ph.D.

The minor in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies will prepare students for multiple fields of employment. Course requirements for the minor are explained in detail. The full requirements for graduation are listed on Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

Latin American Studies (LATI)

LATI 1XX Latin American Studies Transfer Credit (0 Credits)

LATI 2XX Latin American Studies Transfer Credit (0 Credits)

LATI 110 Survey of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies (3 Credits)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of Latin America and the Caribbean, regions characterized by a long history and diverse population. Topics include prehistoric societies, historical development, geography and culture, ethnicity and race, gender and sexuality, religion, health, food, U.S. Latin America relationships, class and social development, human rights, migration patterns, globalization, and the role of Latin Americans and their descendants in the United States.

LATI 114 Studying Latin America (3 Credits)

This course examines the geography and some of the diverse peoples of Latin America. Topics may include prehistoric societies, ethnicity and race, gender and sexuality, U.S.-Latin America relationships, migration patterns, and globalization. Students will gain expertise in one particular country of Latin America through an extended research project.

LATI 122 Archaeology of Mesoamerican Cultures (3 Credits)

This course traces the cultural development of social complexity in pre-Columbian Mexico and Central America over the past 12,000 years from initial human colonization during the Late Pleistocene, through the rise of complex societies, to the Spanish conquest. Course examines the life ways and major societal transformations of the Olmec.

LATI 125 Sociological-Cultural Change In Latin America (3 Credits)

An examination of the economic, political, psychological and social aspects of the Latin American societies from the past to the present are explored in this course.

LATI 201 Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean (3 Credits)

This course offers an examination of the Caribbean region as a cultural area with common historical patterns of conquest, colonization, peonage or slavery, and the development of multi-racial and multi-cultural societies. Topics of study include the European, African and Asian cultural roots of the region.

LATI 202 Ethnicity, Racialism, and Culture in Mexico and Central America (3 Credits)

This course offers an examination of the interplay of ethnicity and race, and its ongoing impact on the cultures of Mexico and Central America. Using an interdisciplinary approach combining history, anthropology, and cultural geography this course focuses on the demographic, socio-cultural, political, and economic changes that continue to affect ethnic and Afro Latino groups in these areas.

LATI 203 Peoples & Cultures of South America (3 Credits)

This course broadly examines three major cultural areas in South America: the Andean region (Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia; Venezuela, Colombia); the Southern Cone (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay); and Brazil. Present-day societies and their process of development and social change during the past several decades are explored within the larger historical context of conquest, colonization, slavery, migration and political intervention and upheaval. The struggles of marginalized Native American populations (e.g. in Brazil and Venezuela) and other racial, ethnic and special-interest groups are given attention.

LATI 204 Latin American Communities in U.S. (3 Credits)

This course examines the cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and present life-conditions of Latin American and Caribbean immigrants (and/or their descendants) residing in the U.S. Group migration histories are reviewed as well as the history of the U.S. annexation of Mexican territory and its impact on the lives of Mexican Americans. Theories of migration, acculturation and assimilation into North American society are critically analyzed, utilizing specific migrant groups as case studies.

LATI 205 Impacts of Modern Technology on Latin America and the Caribbean (3 Credits)

Course is designed to explore the environmental, economic, social, and political impact of modern technology on Latin American countries. Selected case histories are presented to provide the students with a comprehensive view of the phenomenon.

LATI 206 Cuba & Puerto Rico in History Perspective (3 Credits)

A thematic and chronological investigation of these two island nations from the pre-Columbian era to the present is untaken, with an emphasis on the 19th 20th centuries. Topics include the genesis of plantation societies, slavery, and socio-economic/political relationship with the United States.

LATI 207 Seminar Topics in U.S. Latino Studies (3 Credits)

In-depth analyses of selected issues in Latino communities throughout the United States, such as literary traditions, religion, health and politics are studied in this course.

LATI 208 Seminar:Topics in Latin American & Caribbean Studies (3 Credits)

In-depth analyses of selected issues within the region, such as literary traditions, religion, health, ecology and politics are studied in this course.

LATI 209 Sex and Gender in Latin America (3 Credits)

Using an anthropological cross-cultural approach, this course explores the social conflict between image and reality in Latin American practices of gender and sexuality. The course critically analyzes social situations, sex and gender links to class, ethnicity, and racialism, current representations and symbolism, and the changing effects of globalization and transnationalism.

LATI 210 Latin American Novels as History (3 Credits)

This course presents a critical analysis of the diverse historical development in Latin America and the Caribbean through literature. Issues examined include slavery, conquest, ethnicity, migration, dictatorship etc. Focus is on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

LATI 211 Music and Society in the Caribbean Region (3 Credits)

A study of selected Caribbean music and the societal pressures which underscore it, focusing on Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, and also covering the musical profiles of other islands: Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique. Reading music notation is not required.

LATI 212 Drugs: History, Production, and Trade in Latin America (3 Credits)

Using an anthropological approach, students will explore specific issues related to drug production and trafficking such as the subsequent political corruption, the rise of narco-states, global and economic impact, and the US-led eradication and interdiction efforts known as the "War on Drugs" in these regions.

LATI 215 Migration and Transnationalism in Latin America (3 Credits)

This multidisciplinary course aims to examine Latin American and Caribbean migration to the United States. This course introduces key theoretical concepts and historical processes underlying immigration. Thereafter, focus is on the opportunities and barriers for immigrant's integration to U.S. society, the process of transnationalism, and the nature of inter-ethnic relations.

LATI 220 Issues in Latin America (3 Credits)

Using an interdisciplinary perspective, this course will critically examine the changing and multifaceted cultural realities and issues affecting Latin Americans throughout the continent. This course aims to familiarize students with issues affecting Latin America through using resources from anthropology, geography, literature, history, music, cinema, and art. Discussion will focus on the role of colonialism, foreign intervention, urbanization, gender, race, social movements, transition to democracy, market economies, local and international migration, transnational communities, drug trafficking, environmental degradation, and the impact of globalization in Latin America.

LATI 250 Portugal Brazil North America: Stories of Migration (3 Credits)

This course explores literary and other cultural production about migration from Portugal and Brazil to the United States and Canada. Students will explore the cultural and historical contexts of these migrations, as well as the forms of community developed by Lusophone immigrants and their children in North America.

LATI 303 Challenges of Development: Latin America (3 Credits)

This course deals with the critical problems of the two-thirds of humanity living in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The emphasis of the course is on population growth, problems of food, water, energy, cities, poverty, and the environment. It examines the roles of science and technology to solve these problems and bring development to these areas.

LATI 305 Seminar:Latin American Community Issue (3 Credits)

In-depth analysis of selected issues in Latino communities throughout the United States, such as literary traditions, religion, health, politics, etc.

LATI 350 Latinos and Language in the U.S. (3 Credits)

This seminar explores ways that people of Latin American heritage use language. Topics include dialects of Spanish and Portuguese in Latin America, how these dialects are reflected in specific U.S. Latino communities, the connections between language and identity, and effective approaches to working with Latino students in the education system.

Pre-Requisite(s): 8 Gen Ed Courses across Tier 1 and Tier 2.