Global Cultural Studies with Emphasis in Latin American and U.S. Latinx Studies Major
Global Cultural Studies Track
The Global Cultural Studies (GCS) major track affords students the opportunity to develop an area of specialization, connected to proficiency in a language (French, Japanese, or Spanish) and the study of literature, the arts, film, and other media and to situate those expressions in a global, transnational context. Through the GCS major students examine the cultural articulations of the growing interconnectedness of nations and peoples and develop the interpretive skills central to humanistic analysis. The GCS major provides opportunities for interaction in a non-English language environment while also carrying out in-depth academic work in English both within and outside the department. The Department of Global Languages and Cultural Studies works closely with affiliate departments to meet the curricular needs of individual students. Please consult with appropriate faculty for advising.
GCS Major Areas of Specialization
- French and Francophone Studies (GLFR, GLFA).
- Japanese Studies (GLJP).
- Latin American/Latinx Studies (GLSP).
Study Abroad
Students spend one semester abroad in a program aligned with their regional specialization and language. Courses taken abroad include language and culture and can also fulfill elective requirements of the major. Up to 12 credits taken abroad can be applied to the major. Study abroad courses must be chosen in consultation with department advisor and must deal with the culture, environment, history, politics or other themes related to the host country or area of specialization identified in the LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (GLCS 210) course.
Exceptions to Study Abroad Requirement
Students seeking exceptions to the study abroad requirement must demonstrate an intermediate level in the chosen language as well as prior experience with the culture(s) associated with such language. An advisor in the department can help determine whether completion of the major is feasible without a semester of study abroad. If exempted from study abroad requirement, work with advisor to find suitable replacement for courses related to study abroad in multi or intercultural communication or internship in a community. Appropriate substitutions for coursework abroad include additional courses in the GLCS department from elective choices listed within each regional area of specialization.
Electives
To reach the 41 required credits interdisciplinary advanced coursework can be taken within the GLCS department when offered in English and with our affiliates, primarily in the History Department. A normal path is for students to work on their language of choice through the third year level. Concurrently, they choose elective courses in the GLCS department first, followed by appropriate courses in affiliate departments. Elective coursework can cover global thematic areas that cut across the arts/humanities and social sciences such as, environmental studies, gender and sexuality, international politics, legacies of colonialism, migrations and borders, religious and philosophical traditions. Students choose a thematic area or interrelated thematic areas in the LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (GLCS 210) introductory class before going abroad. Through various types of texts and cultural products they will explore in elective courses questions of identity, values, power, equity, displacement and belonging. Elective courses must be chosen in consultation with GCS advisors who keep a list of appropriate courses according to thematic criteria, availability and language section specific requirements. Up to 12 credits taken outside of the GLCS department may be applied to the major.
Latin American/Latinx Studies Global Cultural Studies Track
Latin American/Latinx Studies is available as a regional area of emphasis under the Global Cultural Studies major. This option allows students to enhance their skills in Spanish language and culture while learning about diverse Spanish-speaking communities; their historical and environmental issues, worldviews, legacies of colonialism and recent political struggles. This major option also aims to provide students with background on factors that account for the movements of peoples from Latin America and the Caribbean northward and gain insights on the struggles, contributions and aspirations of Latinx groups in the U.S.
Requirements
Degree Requirements
This major is available as a bachelor of arts degree only, as defined in the section on degree requirements for all majors in this catalog.
Major Requirements
41 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental Core | ||
| GLCS 210 | LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (before going abroad) | 4 |
| GLCS 280 | CROSS-CULTURAL & LINGUISTIC SKILLS FOR STUDY ABROAD (before going abroad) | 2 |
| GLCS 380 | ABROAD PORTFOLIO (while abroad) | 2 |
| GLCS 483 | ADVANCED CROSS-CULTURAL SEMINAR (during the senior year) | 5 |
| Language Courses | ||
| A minimum of 8 credits of the following (according to placement): 1 | 8 | |
| INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I | ||
| INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II | ||
| SPANISH COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION I | ||
| SPANISH COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION II | ||
| SPANISH FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS | ||
A minimum of 8 credits of the following for bilingual heritage speakers (according to placement): | ||
| SPANISH FOR BILINGUAL AND HERITAGE LEARNERS I | ||
| SPANISH FOR BILINGUAL AND HERITAGE LEARNERS II | ||
| SPANISH FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS | ||
| History of Latin America course on campus | ||
| HIST 154 | LATIN AMERICA SINCE 1810 AMERICA | 4 |
| or HIST 215 | REVOLUTIONS IN 20TH CENTURY LATIN AMERICA | |
| One U.S. Latinx communities and cultures course on campus | ||
| Take one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| SPANISH IN THE US | ||
or GLSP 370 | SPANISH IN THE US | |
| TOPICS IN LITERATURE | ||
| TOPICS IN CULTURAL STUDIES | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN CULTURES THROUGH FILM (when topics include diasporic communities) | ||
| TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY | ||
| THE US-MEXICO BORDER REGION | ||
| LATINAS AND LATINOS IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| Study Abroad and Global Cultural Studies Electives | as needed for 41 credit total | |
-Study Abroad for one semester at an approved site in Chile or Ecuador (usually required). | ||
-Up to 12 credits (in addition to GLCS 380) in areas such as culture, environment, history, politics, or other themes related to the area of specialization during a semester abroad may be applied to the major. | ||
-By departmental invitation, students may write a senior thesis: GLCS 490 (2 cr) | ||
| Total Credits | 41 | |
- 1
More advanced courses are available for students placing beyond these.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Communicate effectively in the target language of study on a variety of topics related to interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes, both in academic and professional contexts and in a culturally appropriate fashion.
- Critically analyze through cultural products such as film, literature and other media, cultural practices and historical contexts that have shaped the target culture.
- Develop an understanding of and respect for diverse values and perspectives as portrayed in the communities of the target culture.
- Engage in civic learning to gain insights into global and local citizenry.
- Reflect upon personal experiences in the target culture to transfer learning to new, complex situations.
- Develop a broad interdisciplinary approach and generate informed perspectives, insights, and/or appreciations to various cultural products, such as films, literature, and media from the target culture.
- Engage societal issues in the context of the complex interdependent global systems and legacies and their implications for people’s lives and the earth’s sustainability.
- Gain the critical insights into how global processes affect communities differently and how power is unequally distributed.