Course Descriptions
Courses are added as developed. Individual departments
and instructors reserve the right to modify their courses as necessary. Please
consult the University of Scranton Undergraduate catalog for the complete listing
of courses applicable to this concentration.
BIOL 204 Environmental Issues in Latin America
Survey of the biogeography and biomes of Latin America, the current challenges to these environments, and programs aimed at achieving sustainability in the region.
ENLT 251 Borderlands Writing
(CL, D, W) An introduction to Latino/a literature of the southwest (U.S./Mexican) and southeast (U.S./Cuban).
HIST 125 Colonial Latin American History
Amerindian civilizations; the Spanish and Portuguese colonial period in Latin
America, with emphasis on the themes of conquest, colonialism, race, class,
and gender.
HIST 126 Modern Latin American History
The Latin American Republics, with emphasis on the themes of nation building,
dictatorship, cultural identity, revolutionary movements, and inter-American
relations.
HIST 213 Gender and Family in Latin America
(Prerequisite: HIST 125 or 126) Examines the role of gender and family in Latin
America from 1521 to present. Themes of gender roles, marriage, family and licit
and illicit sexuality will be highlighted. Individual units will examine machismo,
marianism, relations of power and women in the workplace. Distinctions will
be made according to race and class.
HIST 215 Church and Society in Latin America
(Prerequisite: HIST 125 or 126) Examines the historical role of the Catholic
Church in Latin America. Major themes include the conversion of New World peoples
to Catholicism, syncretism, Church and State, and Liberation Theology. Other
units include indigenous religions and beliefs, Protestantism and Judaism in
Latin America.
HIST 327 The African Experience in Latin America,
1500-1900
(Prerequisite: HIST 125 or 126) Examines the experiences of Africans in the
colonies and former colonies of Latin America and the Caribbean with emphasis
on Spanish America and Portuguese Brazil. Units will highlight slavery, the
response of slaves to subjugation; the role of free Africans and men and women
of color, intermarriage, religion and music.
HIST 490 Seminar in American (Mexican) History (W)
(Restricted to Senior History majors and 4-year BA/MA History students) An analysis
of selected topics in Latin American history from the colonial era to the present.
Extensive readings. Historical research and writing stressed.
LIT 205 Modern Latin-American Literature in Translation
A survey in English of 20th-century Latin American writers. Introduction to major literacy movements, such as the "Boom" and "magical realism," which have influenced writers in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.
PHIL 242 Latin American Thought
This course is a survey of the texts and ideas that help to define Latin America from pre-Conquest to the present day. There will be a special focus on the hermeneutical issue of encountering and understanding the other and the theme of philosophy being shaped by its cultural context.
PS 219 Survey of Latin American Politics
An overview of the political cultures and political dynamics of Latin America.
A series of representative nations is examined to provide a general overview
of the region. Topics include historical figures and events, the processes of
democratization and modernization, and issues in contemporary politics.
PS/SPAN 295 Contemporary Mexican Culture and Language
A six-credit intersession travel course to Guadalajara, Mexico, for three credits
in the social sciences (political science), as well as cultural diversity credit.
The course is team-taught by University of Scranton faculty from the Departments
of Foreign Languages and Political Science with assistance from Mexican faculty
at UNIVA.
PS 323 Central America - This course provides an overview of contemporary Central American politics. Special attention is given to the revolutionary upheavals in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. The course also explores current challenges to the region’s economic and political development such as crime, free trade and relations with the United States. (approval anticipated Spring 2007)
PS 333 United States - Latin American Relations - Course offers an introduction to the political, economic, and security relations between Latin America and the United States from the beginning of the nineteenth century through the present day. Present day topics include regional trade arrangements, democracy promotion, drug trafficking, immigration, and the impact of 9/11. (approval anticipated Spring 2007)
PS 384 Special Topics in Political Science
(Occasionally offered on Latin America; please check with chairperson of Political
Science) Study and Analysis of selected topics in the field of Political Science.
The particular topic or topics will vary from year to year depending on the
instructor and changing student needs.
PORT 210 Intensive Intermediate
(Prerequisite: PORT 110 or equivalent) A continuation of elementary Portuguese.
Students will refine, through oral and written activities, literary and other
readings, and video, the skills learned in PORT 110. Cultural knowledge of the
Lusophone world will also be further developed. Meets 4 days a week. Offered
Spring only, odd years.
SPAN 310 Medical Spanish
(Prerequisites: SPAN 211-212 or equivalent) Designed for the student who plans
to work in any area of health care, this course focuses on the needs and problems
of Spanish-speaking patients. Students learn specialized vocabulary and improved
communicative ability through conversation and composition and develop an increased
awareness of health issues often of particular concern to Hispanics.
SPAN 311 Spanish Conversation
(Prerequisites: SPAN 211-212 or equivalent, as determined by placement exam)
Reading-based conversation stressing development of self-expression in Spanish.
Practice in oral composition.
SPAN 312 Spanish Composition
(Prerequisite: SPAN 212 or equivalent) Intensive writing practice stressing
grammar, writing analysis, and composition.
SPAN 314 Latin American Culture and Civilization
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) The course examines the diverse
cultural, historical, linguistic, religious, and political features of Latin
America. Content will vary according to the cultural/geographic region examined,
and the course, therefore, may be repeated for credit.
SPAN 319 Business Spanish
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) Overview of the spoken and written
language of the Spanish business world. Formalities and conventions of letter
writing, banking, import/export, and other commercial transactions. Analysis
of terminology from business-related areas such as finance, insurance and international
commerce within a contemporary cultural setting.
SPAN 320 Introduction to Literature
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) An introduction to the principal
genres of literature (poetry, short essay, essay, drama and novel) through analysis
of representative works in the Hispanic tradition.
SPAN 331 Survey of Spanish-American Literature
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) A survey of Spanish-American literature from the sixteenth
century to the present, with representative readings from each of the principal
cultural areas.
SPAN 335 Service and the Hispanic Community (D)
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) Each student carries out a service project to the local Hispanic community involving 40-45 hours of service work.
SPAN 422 Spanish-American Drama
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) Spanish-American drama from the late nineteenth-century
to the present, with emphasis on contemporary trends.
SPAN 430 Hispanic Women Writers
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) This course examines writing by Hispanic women, including
prose, poetry, drama and essays, and investigates the social, political, aesthetic,
and feminist contexts of their writing. Cross-listed with Women's Studies Concentration.
SPAN 433 Hispanic Lyric Poetry
(Prerequisite SPAN 320) The development of lyric poetry in the Spanish-speaking
world. Examples of early poetry in Spain and Spanish America are studied to
establish an awareness of the Hispanic lyric tradition, but the main focus of
the course is on twentieth-century Spanish America and such figures as Gabriela
Mistral, Pablo Neruda, and César Vallejo.
SPAN 484 Topics in Hispanic Prose
(Prerequisites: SPAN 320) Prose fiction of Spain and/or Latin America. Topics
may focus on an author, a period, a movement, a country or region, or a theme.
Content may vary and the course may, therefore, be repeated for credit with
consent of chair of Modern Languages.
T/RS 250 Liberation Theology
This course explores ‘Liberation Theology’ in its theological, social and political settings. The focus is on a Central/South American approach to a larger Christian message; the course will explore the content & method of doing theology within this context.
Survey of the biogeography and biomes of Latin America, the current challenges to these environments, and programs aimed at achieving sustainability in the region.
ENLT 251 Borderlands Writing
(CL, D, W) An introduction to Latino/a literature of the southwest (U.S./Mexican) and southeast (U.S./Cuban).
HIST 125 Colonial Latin American History
Amerindian civilizations; the Spanish and Portuguese colonial period in Latin
America, with emphasis on the themes of conquest, colonialism, race, class,
and gender.
HIST 126 Modern Latin American History
The Latin American Republics, with emphasis on the themes of nation building,
dictatorship, cultural identity, revolutionary movements, and inter-American
relations.
HIST 213 Gender and Family in Latin America
(Prerequisite: HIST 125 or 126) Examines the role of gender and family in Latin
America from 1521 to present. Themes of gender roles, marriage, family and licit
and illicit sexuality will be highlighted. Individual units will examine machismo,
marianism, relations of power and women in the workplace. Distinctions will
be made according to race and class.
HIST 215 Church and Society in Latin America
(Prerequisite: HIST 125 or 126) Examines the historical role of the Catholic
Church in Latin America. Major themes include the conversion of New World peoples
to Catholicism, syncretism, Church and State, and Liberation Theology. Other
units include indigenous religions and beliefs, Protestantism and Judaism in
Latin America.
HIST 327 The African Experience in Latin America,
1500-1900
(Prerequisite: HIST 125 or 126) Examines the experiences of Africans in the
colonies and former colonies of Latin America and the Caribbean with emphasis
on Spanish America and Portuguese Brazil. Units will highlight slavery, the
response of slaves to subjugation; the role of free Africans and men and women
of color, intermarriage, religion and music.
HIST 490 Seminar in American (Mexican) History (W)
(Restricted to Senior History majors and 4-year BA/MA History students) An analysis
of selected topics in Latin American history from the colonial era to the present.
Extensive readings. Historical research and writing stressed.
LIT 205 Modern Latin-American Literature in Translation
A survey in English of 20th-century Latin American writers. Introduction to major literacy movements, such as the "Boom" and "magical realism," which have influenced writers in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.
PHIL 242 Latin American Thought
This course is a survey of the texts and ideas that help to define Latin America from pre-Conquest to the present day. There will be a special focus on the hermeneutical issue of encountering and understanding the other and the theme of philosophy being shaped by its cultural context.
PS 219 Survey of Latin American Politics
An overview of the political cultures and political dynamics of Latin America.
A series of representative nations is examined to provide a general overview
of the region. Topics include historical figures and events, the processes of
democratization and modernization, and issues in contemporary politics.
PS/SPAN 295 Contemporary Mexican Culture and Language
A six-credit intersession travel course to Guadalajara, Mexico, for three credits
in the social sciences (political science), as well as cultural diversity credit.
The course is team-taught by University of Scranton faculty from the Departments
of Foreign Languages and Political Science with assistance from Mexican faculty
at UNIVA.
PS 323 Central America - This course provides an overview of contemporary Central American politics. Special attention is given to the revolutionary upheavals in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. The course also explores current challenges to the region’s economic and political development such as crime, free trade and relations with the United States. (approval anticipated Spring 2007)
PS 333 United States - Latin American Relations - Course offers an introduction to the political, economic, and security relations between Latin America and the United States from the beginning of the nineteenth century through the present day. Present day topics include regional trade arrangements, democracy promotion, drug trafficking, immigration, and the impact of 9/11. (approval anticipated Spring 2007)
PS 384 Special Topics in Political Science
(Occasionally offered on Latin America; please check with chairperson of Political
Science) Study and Analysis of selected topics in the field of Political Science.
The particular topic or topics will vary from year to year depending on the
instructor and changing student needs.
PORT 210 Intensive Intermediate
(Prerequisite: PORT 110 or equivalent) A continuation of elementary Portuguese.
Students will refine, through oral and written activities, literary and other
readings, and video, the skills learned in PORT 110. Cultural knowledge of the
Lusophone world will also be further developed. Meets 4 days a week. Offered
Spring only, odd years.
SPAN 310 Medical Spanish
(Prerequisites: SPAN 211-212 or equivalent) Designed for the student who plans
to work in any area of health care, this course focuses on the needs and problems
of Spanish-speaking patients. Students learn specialized vocabulary and improved
communicative ability through conversation and composition and develop an increased
awareness of health issues often of particular concern to Hispanics.
SPAN 311 Spanish Conversation
(Prerequisites: SPAN 211-212 or equivalent, as determined by placement exam)
Reading-based conversation stressing development of self-expression in Spanish.
Practice in oral composition.
SPAN 312 Spanish Composition
(Prerequisite: SPAN 212 or equivalent) Intensive writing practice stressing
grammar, writing analysis, and composition.
SPAN 314 Latin American Culture and Civilization
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) The course examines the diverse
cultural, historical, linguistic, religious, and political features of Latin
America. Content will vary according to the cultural/geographic region examined,
and the course, therefore, may be repeated for credit.
SPAN 319 Business Spanish
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) Overview of the spoken and written
language of the Spanish business world. Formalities and conventions of letter
writing, banking, import/export, and other commercial transactions. Analysis
of terminology from business-related areas such as finance, insurance and international
commerce within a contemporary cultural setting.
SPAN 320 Introduction to Literature
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) An introduction to the principal
genres of literature (poetry, short essay, essay, drama and novel) through analysis
of representative works in the Hispanic tradition.
SPAN 331 Survey of Spanish-American Literature
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) A survey of Spanish-American literature from the sixteenth
century to the present, with representative readings from each of the principal
cultural areas.
SPAN 335 Service and the Hispanic Community (D)
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) Each student carries out a service project to the local Hispanic community involving 40-45 hours of service work.
SPAN 422 Spanish-American Drama
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) Spanish-American drama from the late nineteenth-century
to the present, with emphasis on contemporary trends.
SPAN 430 Hispanic Women Writers
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) This course examines writing by Hispanic women, including
prose, poetry, drama and essays, and investigates the social, political, aesthetic,
and feminist contexts of their writing. Cross-listed with Women's Studies Concentration.
SPAN 433 Hispanic Lyric Poetry
(Prerequisite SPAN 320) The development of lyric poetry in the Spanish-speaking
world. Examples of early poetry in Spain and Spanish America are studied to
establish an awareness of the Hispanic lyric tradition, but the main focus of
the course is on twentieth-century Spanish America and such figures as Gabriela
Mistral, Pablo Neruda, and César Vallejo.
SPAN 484 Topics in Hispanic Prose
(Prerequisites: SPAN 320) Prose fiction of Spain and/or Latin America. Topics
may focus on an author, a period, a movement, a country or region, or a theme.
Content may vary and the course may, therefore, be repeated for credit with
consent of chair of Modern Languages.
T/RS 250 Liberation Theology
This course explores ‘Liberation Theology’ in its theological, social and political settings. The focus is on a Central/South American approach to a larger Christian message; the course will explore the content & method of doing theology within this context.
This course is a survey of the texts and ideas that help to define Latin America from pre-Conquest to the present day. There will be a special focus on the hermeneutical issue of encountering and understanding the other and the theme of philosophy being shaped by its cultural context.
An overview of the political cultures and political dynamics of Latin America. A series of representative nations is examined to provide a general overview of the region. Topics include historical figures and events, the processes of democratization and modernization, and issues in contemporary politics.
A six-credit intersession travel course to Guadalajara, Mexico, for three credits in the social sciences (political science), as well as cultural diversity credit. The course is team-taught by University of Scranton faculty from the Departments of Foreign Languages and Political Science with assistance from Mexican faculty at UNIVA.
(Occasionally offered on Latin America; please check with chairperson of Political Science) Study and Analysis of selected topics in the field of Political Science. The particular topic or topics will vary from year to year depending on the instructor and changing student needs.
(Prerequisite: PORT 110 or equivalent) A continuation of elementary Portuguese. Students will refine, through oral and written activities, literary and other readings, and video, the skills learned in PORT 110. Cultural knowledge of the Lusophone world will also be further developed. Meets 4 days a week. Offered Spring only, odd years.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 211-212 or equivalent) Designed for the student who plans to work in any area of health care, this course focuses on the needs and problems of Spanish-speaking patients. Students learn specialized vocabulary and improved communicative ability through conversation and composition and develop an increased awareness of health issues often of particular concern to Hispanics.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 211-212 or equivalent, as determined by placement exam) Reading-based conversation stressing development of self-expression in Spanish. Practice in oral composition.
(Prerequisite: SPAN 212 or equivalent) Intensive writing practice stressing grammar, writing analysis, and composition.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) The course examines the diverse cultural, historical, linguistic, religious, and political features of Latin America. Content will vary according to the cultural/geographic region examined, and the course, therefore, may be repeated for credit.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) Overview of the spoken and written language of the Spanish business world. Formalities and conventions of letter writing, banking, import/export, and other commercial transactions. Analysis of terminology from business-related areas such as finance, insurance and international commerce within a contemporary cultural setting.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) An introduction to the principal genres of literature (poetry, short essay, essay, drama and novel) through analysis of representative works in the Hispanic tradition.
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) A survey of Spanish-American literature from the sixteenth century to the present, with representative readings from each of the principal cultural areas.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 311-312 or equivalent) Each student carries out a service project to the local Hispanic community involving 40-45 hours of service work.
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) Spanish-American drama from the late nineteenth-century to the present, with emphasis on contemporary trends.
(Prerequisite: SPAN 320) This course examines writing by Hispanic women, including prose, poetry, drama and essays, and investigates the social, political, aesthetic, and feminist contexts of their writing. Cross-listed with Women's Studies Concentration.
(Prerequisite SPAN 320) The development of lyric poetry in the Spanish-speaking world. Examples of early poetry in Spain and Spanish America are studied to establish an awareness of the Hispanic lyric tradition, but the main focus of the course is on twentieth-century Spanish America and such figures as Gabriela Mistral, Pablo Neruda, and César Vallejo.
(Prerequisites: SPAN 320) Prose fiction of Spain and/or Latin America. Topics may focus on an author, a period, a movement, a country or region, or a theme. Content may vary and the course may, therefore, be repeated for credit with consent of chair of Modern Languages.
This course explores ‘Liberation Theology’ in its theological, social and political settings. The focus is on a Central/South American approach to a larger Christian message; the course will explore the content & method of doing theology within this context.