Latina/Latino Studies
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
College of Arts and Sciences
910 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4620
Phone: 716.645.2191
Fax: 716.645.5981
Web: http://rll.buffalo.edu/rll
Email: rll-info@buffalo.edu
Maureen Jameson
Chair
Ramón E. Soto-Crespo
Program Director
716.645.2191, ext. 1199
rs55@buffalo.edu
About the Program
*Not a baccalaureate degree program
Latina/Latino studies is an interdisciplinary program, comprising courses that focus on various aspects of the U.S. Latina/Latino, as well as the Latin American, experience.
The term Latino is inclusive of the diverse Hispanic communities in the United States, such as Chicano, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and others. The program offers an interdisciplinary minor. The course of study combines its Latino courses with offerings from history, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, literature, and language.
About Our Degrees
Students in the Latina/Latino Studies program are introduced to a variety of disciplines such as anthropology, Spanish, history, English, humanities, political science, philosophy, women’s studies, and theatre.
Acceptance Criteria
Consultation with the director of the Latina/Latino Studies program and completion of a formal application.
Completion of ENG 277 or LLS 204.
Applications to the minor are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are available at the department office or on the RLL website.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Courses
The average class size depends on how widely the content appeals to students; if it is specifically a Latina/o topic, it may appeal to fewer students, and the class will be smaller. If the topic is broader, it may appeal to a wider audience, including Spanish and English majors. Spanish courses are of particular interest to the Latina/o student as well as to the Spanish majors. Usually an upper-level Spanish course has a full capacity of twenty-four.
The program director and several other professors teach the Latina/Latino courses. Most of the 300- and 400-level courses across the disciplines are also taught by professors, rather than teaching assistants.
Some courses frequently offered in the Latina/o Studies program are: Introduction to Puerto Rican Culture, Black Presence in Latin American Culture, Mainland Puerto Rican Experience. Others offered by the program director are: Literature and Philosophy Studies, Spanish American Literature in Translation, Introduction to U.S. Latina/o Literature, The Caribbean Short Story, Spanish American Novel, and Latina Writers.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Dr. Ramón Soto-Crespo has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Purdue University. He specializes in areas such as Latina/o and Caribbean literature, continental philosophy, and psychoanalysis.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Independent study is available for approved students. Students should confer with the program director before they register for independent study.
Extracurricular Activities
See the UB Student Association.
Career Information and Further Study
Latinos constitute the fastest growing minority group in the U.S. and they are projected to become the largest in the next century. With an interdisciplinary background, a student will have a deeper understanding of the problems that arise in the fields of law enforcement and justice administration. The coursework of this Minor program further promotes a greater understanding of the Latino/a culture in the medical and health care systems, as well as in education and government.
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
- College of Arts and Sciences
Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:11 EST