Latin American Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

Overview

UC Berkeley was among the first universities in the nation to develop a specialized interdisciplinary program of training and research in Latin American Studies with the initiation of the interdisciplinary PhD program in the early 1930s. Today, Berkeley's programs in Latin American Studies span a wide range of departments in the social sciences, humanities, and the natural sciences as well as the professional schools of Natural Resources, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Welfare, Journalism, Law, Education, and Environmental Design.

The Graduate Group in Latin American Studies draws together faculty from approximately 30 different departments. Faculty is responsible for the design, modification, and implementation of the program, for admissions and for academic advising. The Graduate Group in Latin American Studies and the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) share an executive committee, composed of faculty from various departments; the group provides guidance both for the interdisciplinary degree programs and CLAS. As an interdisciplinary program, the Graduate Group in Latin American Studies is connected to and involved with a variety of units on the Berkeley campus.

The group is administered by the International and Area Studies Academic Program (IAS) which provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of international and global issues. Comprised of six undergraduate majors  and three graduate degree programs, IAS is a unique intellectual domain. At a historical moment of unprecedented interconnections, IAS trains students in the knowledge and skills that are fundamental components of global citizenship and practice. IAS has strategically adopted an interdisciplinary approach to such training, with the belief that no single discipline can prepare students in the depth and breadth necessary for a complex and reflexive understanding of world history and contemporary globalization. Accordingly, IAS offers interdisciplinary core courses in fields such as Political Economy, Development Studies, and Peace and Conflict Studies and then incorporates courses offered through many other departments, offering students a rigorous but flexible curriculum which recognizes that learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom.

Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS)

The Center for Latin American Studies , located at 2334 Bowditch Street, was established in 1956 to promote, coordinate, and exchange the findings of research on Latin America by campus faculty and students. It facilitates the work of more than 100 faculty with Latin American expertise and promotes research and training on the region across the University. CLAS also serves as a home base on the campus for graduate students in Latin American Studies by providing campus mailboxes, bulletin boards for information, and a place to meet other students in seminars and social events. The center sponsors numerous seminars and other events on the campus, and it has a conference room and office space for a few visiting researchers.

Undergraduate Programs

Latin American Studies : BA

Graduate Program

Latin American Studies : MA

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Courses

Latin American Studies

LATAMST 10 Introduction to Latin American Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
This course is intended as a lower division, interdisciplinary core course for students planning to pursue the Latin American Studies major, as well as other interested students. The aim is to provide an introduction to the field that integrates the offerings from the various disciplines. Particular attention will be given to the analysis of the relationship between cultural expression and the politics, economy, and history of the region.

LATAMST 24 Freshman Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment is limited to 15 freshmen.

LATAMST 150 Advanced Studies in Latin American Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
Advanced research in current issues or regions of Latin American Studies. The course will focus on specific areas or topics with appropriate comparative material included. Topics change each semester.

LATAMST 160 The Politics of Development in Chile 6 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2015 Second 6 Week Session
This course examines the politics of development in Chile. We will consider the different social and economic policies implemented during the years of the Popular Unity Coalition, the Pinochet dictatorship, in the transition back to a democratic political system, and the Concertacion governments that followed. We end the course by studying challenges to the neoliberal model, including the recent massive student mobilizations demanding reforms to the educational system, as well as challenges by labor and indigenous groups. We will conclude by considering how globalization shapes the politics of development today.

LATAMST 192 Senior Thesis 3 or 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2013
This course is designed to provide a vehicle for undergraduate students who do not participate in the departmental honors program but are interested in writing a major paper on a Latin American studies topic. The paper should be approximately 30-50 pages in length; the topic must be agreed upon in advance by both the students and faculty sponsor. Requires weekly consultations with faculty sponsor.

LATAMST H195 Senior Honors Thesis Seminar 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
The honors student is required to research and write a thesis based on the prospectus developed in International and Area Studies 102. The thesis work is reviewed by the honors instructor. A second reader is to be selected based on the thesis topic. Weekly reports required.

LATAMST 198 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
Topics vary from semester to semester.

LATAMST 200 Latin American Studies Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Mandatory for Latin American Studies graduate students. Seminars by faculty and advanced graduate students on their current research on Latin America.

LATAMST 230 Cross-Listed Topics 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2009, Spring 2009, Fall 2008
This course is designed to accommodate cross-listed courses offered through other departments, the content of which is applicable to the graduate program in Latin American Studies. Content varies from course to course.

LATAMST 250 Selected Topics in Latin American Studies 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Seminar will take a multidisciplinary approach to specific geographical areas with appropriate comparative material included. Topics change each semester.

LATAMST 292 Directed Study and Research 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 First 6 Week Session, Fall 2015
Directed study and research for graduate students in Latin American Studies. Primarily for graduate students engaged in an interdisciplinary exploration of Latin America-related topics in subject matter not covered in available course offerings. The course will involve directed readings and writing of a report.

LATAMST 298 Directed Graduate Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Topics vary from semester to semester.

LATAMST 299 Individual Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Fall 2016
Individual study for graduate students in Latin American Studies. Intended to provide directed reading and supervision for thesis development or special study in Latin American area.

Contact Information

Graduate Group in Latin American Studies

101 Stephens Hall

Phone: 510-642-4466

Fax: 510-642-9850

iastp@berkeley.edu

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Program Chair

Estelle Tarica, PhD (Department of Spanish and Portuguese)

etarica@berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Susan Joerling

101 Stephens Hall

Phone: 510-643-4156

joerling@berkeley.edu

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