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Latin American Studies

 

The Latin American Studies Minor at Kean University is an 18-credit interdisciplinary program that can be taken in conjunction with any major. This program offers students an exciting opportunity to broaden their studies by exploring the political and social history, economic development, arts, and cultural diversity of Latin America.

Graduates with a Latin American Studies background are well prepared for graduate school and professional careers, as they develop bilingual language skills, critical and analytical thinking, and a globally oriented perspective on social issues.

Coordinator:
Dr. Nazih Richani
Hutchinson Hall, J-103L
nrichani@kean.edu | 908-737-4097

Additional Contact:
Dr. Gregory Shepherd
gregory.shepherd@kean.edu

Program Requirements (18 credits)

Minimum grade of C required in all courses
At least two courses must be at the 3000–4000 level.

Required Courses (9 credits)

Language Proficiency (6 credits)
Take two Spanish language courses totaling 6 credits from one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1 (Basic Spanish)

  • SPAN 1101 – Basic Spanish I (3)

  • SPAN 1102 – Basic Spanish II (3)

Sequence 2 (Intermediate Spanish)

  • SPAN 2101 – Intermediate Spanish I (3)

  • SPAN 2102 – Intermediate Spanish II (3)

Sequence 3 (Advanced Spanish)

  • SPAN 3101 – Advanced Spanish I (3)

  • SPAN 3105 – Advanced Spanish Conversation (3)

Language proficiency courses for native Spanish speakers may be substituted with advisement from the faculty advisor to the minor.

Foundation Course (3 credits)
Choose one of the following:

  • HIST 2382 – Modern/Contemporary Latin America (3)

  • SPAN 3225 – Latin American Civilization I (3)

  • SPAN 3230 – Latin American Civilization II (3)

Electives (9 credits)

Choose three courses from at least two different disciplines:

Art History

  • AH 3795 – Pre-Columbian Arts of Central America (3)

  • AH 3796 – Modern Latin American Art and Architecture (3)

Economics

  • ECON 3100 – Economic Development (3)

  • ECON 3400 – International Economics (3)

History

  • HIST 2382 – Modern/Contemporary Latin America (3)

  • HIST 3381 – History of Cuba (3)

  • HIST 3383 – History of the Caribbean and Central America (3)

Literature (Courses with SPAN prefix are taught in Spanish)

  • ENG 4301 – Contemporary Caribbean Women Writers in English and English Translation (3)

  • SPAN 3250 – Survey of Latin American Literature I (3)

  • SPAN 3255 – Survey of Latin American Literature II (3)

  • SPAN 3220 – Colonial Spanish-American Literature (3)

  • SPAN 3240 – Development of Puerto Rican Culture (3)

  • SPAN 4415 – The Spanish-American Novel (3)

  • SPAN 4420 – 20th Century Spanish-American Poetry (3)

  • SPAN 4600 – Modernism (3)

Political Science

  • PS 3310 – Comparative Non-Western Government (3)

  • PS 3340 – Latin American Politics (3)

  • PS 3341 – Central American Politics (3)

  • PS 3480 – The Political Economy of Violence (3)

Sociology

  • SOC 2300 – American Ethnic and Racial Groups (3)

Additional Notes

  • A minimum grade of “C” is required in all courses.

  • At least two courses must be at the 3000/4000 level.

  • Substitutions may be approved with permission from the Program Coordinator.