Mission, Learning Goals and Objectives
Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Bachelors
The Department of Latin American and Latino Studies offers an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the many emigrant communities from the region. Faculty members in the Department are trained in different disciplines, but are united in their commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship. Faculty members aspire to not only share substantive knowledge but to also strengthen students' analytical and expository skills.
Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, a student will be able to do the following:
Goal I: Understand Latin American and Caribbean cultures through an appreciation for the diversity of Latin America and the Caribbean
Objectives:
- Explain the role of migration in the formation of Latin America and the Caribbean’s diverse cultures
- Compare and contrast the historical development of Latin America and the Caribbean
- Explain the economic forces impacting the Latin American and the Caribbean economies
- Critically analyze the Latino/a experience in terms of significant issues, theories, current problems, and solutions
Goal II: Conduct original research on a current important issue facing Latin America
Objectives:
- Incorporate ideas from sources and use them appropriately
- Develop a well-written thesis
- Analyze various viewpoints
- Support evidence applying historically-based and culturally-informed arguments as indicated by the instructor in each discipline covered by the program: history; politics; anthropology; literature/the arts
Goal III: Explain the main developments in Latin American history and culture, from the colonial period to the present
Objectives:
- Explain the main historical periods
- Analyze how political transformations shaped Latin America and the Caribbean
- Analyze the role of migration in Latin America and the US
- Explain the major belief-systems of Latin America and the Caribbean
Goal IV: Show competence in the artistic expressions of Latin America and the Caribbean
Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of at least one of the major artistic expressions of Latin America: music, film, visual art, performance art, and literature
- Demonstrate knowledge of Latin American and Caribbean art’s political and historical contexts
- Analyze the role of the arts in Latin American and Caribbean societies
Goal V: Demonstrate competence in Spanish
Objectives:
- Read works in Spanish for a research paper
- Read major works of literature in Spanish
- Write one brief essay in Spanish with correct punctuation, basic grammatical competence, and a basic conceptual grasp of the Spanish language
Puerto Rican Studies, Bachelors
Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Puerto Rican Studies, a student will be able to do the following:
Goal I: Understand Puerto Rican culture through simultaneous appreciation of its grounding in Latin America and the Caribbean and its relationship to the United States
Objectives:
- Explain the economic forces impacting the Puerto Rican economy from the colonial period to the present
- Critically analyze the main developments in Puerto Rican history
- Explain the development, different viewpoints, and current issues regarding Puerto Rico’s political status
- Show knowledge of the history, political life, and culture of the Puerto Rican communities in the United States
- Compare and contrast the Puerto Rican migratory experience to other migrant communities in the United States, using the critical concepts of race and identity
Goal II: Conduct original research on a current important issue facing Puerto Rico and its migrant communities in the United States
Objectives:
- Incorporate ideas from sources and use them appropriately
- Develop a well-written thesis
- Analyze various viewpoints
- Support evidence applying historically-based and culturally-informed arguments
Goal III: Show competence in the artistic expressions of Puerto Rico and its migrant communities to the United States
Objectives:
- Show competence in at least one of the major artistic expressions of Puerto Rico: music, film, visual art, performance art, and literature
- Demonstrate knowledge of Puerto Rican art’s historical, social, and political contexts
- Analyze the role of the arts in Puerto Rican society and in the United States
