Latin American Studies

Full Time Faculty: Fernanda Bartolomei-Merlin (Spanish and Portuguese), Erika Busse-Cardenas (Sociology), Ernesto Capello (Director, History), Eric Carter (Geography), Amy Damon (Economics), Paul Dosh (Political Science), Olga González (Anthropology), Xavier Haro-Carrion (Geography), Alicia Muñoz (Spanish and Portuguese), Margaret (Molly) Olson (Spanish and Portuguese), Ernesto Ortiz-Díaz (Spanish and Portuguese), Mario Solis-Garcia (Economics)

Latin America is defined by multiple historical and cultural processes, socio-economic paths, and political trajectories. Macalester’s Latin American Studies program acknowledges the complexity and historical depth of the region’s pre-Columbian past; centuries of colonial domination; deep inequalities based on gender, class, and race and ethnicity; and national identities constructed out of indigenous, African, and European elements.

The Latin American Studies program thrives at the intersections of humanities, social science, and the arts, and values scholarly, testimonial, and creative work by Latin American writers and artists. The 10-course major provides a vibrant forum for students to develop core skills including: 1) interdisciplinarity; 2) language skills; 3) communication (written, oral, and visual); 4) argumentation and use of evidence; 5) comparison across national boundaries; 6) crafting a theoretical framework; 7) research design; and 8) civic engagement.

The major culminates in an integrative capstone experience, often rooted in original fieldwork conducted while abroad in Latin America. The results of each capstone project are shared in an academic or community publication or presentation in the United States and/or in Latin America. The program provides outstanding preparation for professional careers, graduate studies, competitive fellowships, and community-based work in Latin America and with Latinx communities in the United States.

General Distribution Requirement

LATI 141 , LATI 244 , LATI 245 , LATI 246 , LATI 248 , LATI 249 , LATI 255 , LATI 258 , LATI 341 and LATI 342 count toward the general distribution requirement in social science. LATI 181 , LATI 281 , LATI 282 , LATI 307 , LATI 251 , LATI 316 count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism, and U.S. identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Honors Program

The Latin American Studies program participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.

Topics Courses

LATI 194 , LATI 294 , LATI 394 , LATI 494

Occasional courses on Latin American topics offered from time to time by program and visiting Latin American studies faculty. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.