International and Comparative
The Minor in Latin American Studies is designed for students interested in the language, history, politics, and culture of Latin America. The core offerings at MIT largely concentrate on those areas formerly colonized by Spain, although students are not required to focus their study exclusively on these areas. They are encouraged to develop a program that is both international and comparative in perspective and that takes into account the heterogeneous cultural experiences of people living in the vast territory loosely termed Latin America, as well as of those people living in the United States who identify themselves as Latino.
The Minor Program in Latin American Studies consists of six subjects (at least three of which must be MIT subjects, including required subject 17.55J/21A.430J/21F.084J Introduction to Latin American Studies) arranged into four areas of study:
Area I: Language
Area II: Humanities and the Arts
Area III: Social Sciences
Area IV: Historical Studies
As with all HASS Minors, only five of the six minor subjects may be counted toward the 8-subject Institute HASS Requirement. Of these five, at most one (1) shall count toward satisfaction of the HASS Distribution Requirement.
Area I: Language
Two intermediate (Levels III and IV) subjects, either in Spanish or Portuguese. MIT offers Levels III and IV of Spanish every semester. Since Portuguese is not taught at MIT, it is expected that students wishing to fulfill the requirement in this language will do so at Harvard University. Students who can demonstrate language competence beyond the intermediate level may either take two advanced language subjects (highly recommended), or two more subjects from Areas II, III and IV.
Language subjects offered at MIT
21F.703 Spanish III {21F.773} HASS-D Language Option
21F.704 Spanish IV {21F.774} HASS-D Language Option
21F.705 Oral Communication in Spanish
21F.711 Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition: Perspectives on Technology and Culture
21F.712 Spanish Conversation and Composition
21F.713 Advanced Reading and Writing in Spanish
21F.714 Spanish for Bilingual Students
Areas II, III, IV Four subjects to be selected from at least two areas, including 17.55J, Introduction to Latin American Studies, from Area III-Social Sciences. No more than one subject focused on the Iberian Peninsula. (Please note that a student may choose not to take a subject focused on the Iberian Peninsula.)
Area II: Humanities and Arts
(In English)
21F.080 Masterpieces of Hispanic Culture CI-H
(In Spanish)
21F.716 Introduction to Contemporary Hispanic Literature HASS-D
21F.717 Introduction to Spanish Culture
21F.730 Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Hispanic American Literature
21F.731 Creation of a Continent: Representations of Hispanic America, 1492-1898, in Literature and Film
21F.735 Advanced Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film
21F.736 The Short Story in Spain and Hispanic America
21F.738 Literature and Social Conflict: Perspectives on Modern Spain
21F.740 The New Spain: 1977-Present
Area III: Social Sciences
3.982 The Ancient Andean World
3.983 Ancient Mesoamerican Civilization
17.55J Introduction to Latin American Studies (Required) HASS-D, CI-H [21A.430J] [21F.084J]
17.554 Political Economy of Latin America
Area IV: Historical Studies
21H.802 Latin America: Revolution, Dictatorship, and Democracy, 1900-Present
Students are also encouraged to take appropriate history subjects at Harvard University or Wellesley College. In general students are encouraged to consult the Harvard Catalogue to familiarize themselves with Harvard's rich and varied offerings in Latin American Studies.
Student that have taken the following subjects that are no longer offered can count these subjects toward their minor:
17.507 Democratization and Democratic Breakdown
21A.441 The Conquest of America
21F.010 Introduction to European and Latin American Fiction
21F.028J Sex Roles in Fiction: Europe and Latin America [SP.462J]
Questions?
Additional information can be obtained from the Minor Advisor, or from the Foreign Languages and Literatures Office, Room 14N-305, x3-4771.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology