Latin American Studies

Maria Jose Bustos Fernandez (Associate Professor of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures) Director/Advisor

The Latin American Studies program at The University of Montana–Missoula provides students an opportunity to study and research the history, culture, lands, art, geography and institutions of Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations of American through an interdisciplinary perspective.  The growing importance of the United States economic, political and cultural relations with the Latin American region makes knowledge of Latin America and its people an essential part of a liberal arts education.
The Latin American Studies program is administered by the Latin American Studies steering committee.  The interdisciplinary faculty who teach and direct research in the program, drawn mainly from the College of Arts and Sciences, are internationally known for their research and experience abroad.  The program encourages and promotes travel and exchange with institutions of higher education in Latin America.  Several study abroad options in Latin America are available both for a short period of time or for longer stays (one semester or two semester programs).  Inquire at the Departments of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, Political Sciences and Art for details on these programs as well as at the Office of International Programs.
The Latin American studies program offers a minor in Latin American Studies in conjunction with a major in another discipline.  Students admitted to the program must register with the academic advisor of the Latin American Studies program who will review their course of study and advise on planning their course sequence.  Students are encouraged to plan this option early in their studies to be able to participate in a study aborad program, if possible.
Students minoring in Latin American Studies will be prepared for graduate study or for employment in fields such as government, non–governmental organizations, business, industry, health and education.

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in Latin American studies a student must:

  1. Complete a minimum of 18 semester credits in approved Latin American studies courses (all courses listed below in addition to special offerings) in at least three different disciplines. One of these courses must be MCLG/ANTH 100H, Introduction to Latin American Studies.
  2. Complete SPAN 101 through 201, or equivalent.

Note: Participation in a study abroad program is highly recommended.

Latin American Studies Core Curriculum:

  • MCLG/ANTH  100H Introduction to Latin American Studies 3 cr.
  • MCLG/LS 358 Latin American Civilization through Literature and Film 3 cr. or SPAN 359 Spanish American Civilization through Literature and Film 3 cr.
  • SPAN 312L Introduction to Latin American Literature 3 cr.
  • SPAN 450L Latin American Literature 3 cr. (R–6)
  • SPAN 494 Seminar Variable cr. (R–12) (when topic is related to Latin American literature such as Latin American drama, poetry, novel, short story, Argentinian literature, 19th Century Latin American Literature)
  • HIST 286H Colonial Latin America 3 cr.
  • HIST 287H Modern Latin America 3 cr.
  • GEOG 351 Geography of a Selected Region (when the selected region is Middle American, South America or any other Latin American region)
  • PSC 325 Politics of Latin America 3 cr.
  • PSC 327 Politics of Mexico 3 cr.
  • PSC 430 Inter–American Relations 3 cr.
  • PSC 463S Development Administration (when offered during summer session in Mexico)
  • ART/NAS 367H Art of the Ancient Americas 3 cr.
  • ART/NAS 368H Latin American Art 3 cr.
  • ART 451 Seminar in Art History and Criticism 3 cr.
  • SW 323 Women and Social Action in the Americas 3 cr.
  • ANTH 354H Mesoamerican Prehistory 3 cr.

Faculty

Professors

  • David Aronofsky, J.D., University of Texas, 1982 (Law)
  • Maria José Bustos Fernandez, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 1990 (Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures)
  • John E. Douglas, Ph.D., University of Arizona, 1990 (Anthropology)
  • Paul Haber, Ph.D., Columbia University, 1992 (Political Science)
  • Stan Rose, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1969 (Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures)

Associate Professors

  • Carlos A Baied, Ph.D. University of Colorado, Boulder, 1991 (Geography), Visiting
  • Hipolito Rafael Chacón, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1995 (Art)
  • Janet Finn, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1995 (Social Work)
  • Clary Loisel, Ph.D., University of Florida, 1996 (Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures)

Assistant Professors

  • Eduardo Chirinos, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 1997 (Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures)
  • Patricia O. Covarrubias, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1999 (Communication Studies)
  • Jannine Montauban, Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2000 (Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures)
  • Jody Pavilack, Ph.D., Duke University, 2003 (History)
  • Daniel Spencer, Ph.D., Union Theological Seminary, 1994 (Environmental Studies)