Faculty
Distinguished Professor
Daniel C. Levy, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Distinguished Service Professor
Edna Acosta-Belin, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Columbia University
Professors
Christine Bose, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Johns Hopkins University
Ray Bromley, Ph.D.
Cambridge University
Robert Carmack, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Colbert I. Nepaulsingh, Ph.D.
University of Toronto
Carlos E. Santiago, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Associate Professors
Jeanette Altarriba, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University
Louise Burkhart, Ph.D.
Yale University
Josi Cruz, Ph.D.
City University of New York
Liliana Goldin, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Max Lifchitz, M.M.
Harvard University
Silvia Nagy-Zekmi, Ph.D.
Evtvvs Lorand University (Budapest)
Azara Santiago-Rivera, Ph.D.
Wayne State University
James W. Wessman, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Assistant Professors
Ana Margarita Cervantes-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
University of Miami
Fernando Leiva, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Blanca Ramos, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Gilbert Valverde, Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Adjuncts and Lecturers
Teresa Carranza, Ph.D.
University at Albany
C. Aida Torres-Horwitt, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Catana Tully, D.A.
University at Albany
Adjuncts (estimated): 3
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 5
The Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies has a cross-disciplinary faculty prepared to train undergraduates for research, service, and applied careers dealing with the U.S. Hispanic communities and with the Caribbean and Latin American regions.
Undergraduate Academic Major Offerings
The department offers two undergraduate major options: 1) Latin American studies and 2) Puerto Rican studies.
The interdisciplinary major in Latin American studies has been designed to prepare students for professional and research careers; domestic service with federal and state governmental agencies; careers in the United States foreign service; careers with business and educational organizations, public and private foundations, and other private or public agencies engaged in developing, improving, and promoting trade and the social, political, and economic life of the peoples of Latin America; editing and journalism; and paramedical and paralegal careers.
This major requires interdisciplinary course work with Latin American content and competence in Spanish, Portuguese; or French. Opportunities for study abroad are also available.
The interdisciplinary major in Puerto Rican studies has been designed to provide students with an opportunity for intensive interdisciplinary exploration of the Puerto Rican experience in the Caribbean and in the United States. In addition the program provides an integrated, broadly based knowledge of the islands of the Caribbean, the rest of Latin America, and the United States. Courses deal with aspects of the life of Puerto Ricans: cultural, social, political, and economic processes; language; literature and the arts; and education. In addition, the program provides the opportunity for comparative study of other Hispanic groups in the United States.
Undergraduate students in the department are also provided with opportunities for community-oriented research, community service, and study abroad. Upon completion of the program requirements, students should possess a reading knowledge of Spanish. Most students enrolled in Puerto Rican studies are also encouraged to have a second major in one of the traditional disciplines.
A minor sequence in Latin American and Caribbean studies is also currently offered by the department.
Courses focusing on Latin America are also offered in the Departments of Hispanic and Italian studies, History, Geography and Regional Planning, Anthropology, Sociology, African and Africana Studies, Philosophy, Economics, and Political Science.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Latin American Studies
General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits, 12 of which must be at or above the 300 level, as follows:
Introduction (3 cr.): A Lcs 100 or 100Z or 145.
Latin America and the Caribbean (3 cr.): A Lcs 102 or 269 or 360 or 405.
Latin America and Puerto Rico (3 cr.): A Lcs 150 or 150Z.
Latin Americans in the United States (3 cr.): A Lcs 201 or 302.
Social Science Requirements (3 cr.): A Lcs 233 or 250 or 354/354Z or 357 or 361.
Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement (3 cr.): A Lcs 216L/216E or 230 or 268L or 312 or 315 or 316 or 317 or 318 or 319 or 326 or 327/327Z or 414.
Race, Gender and Ethnicity (3 cr.): A Lcs 240 or 282M or 451.
Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (3 cr.): A Lcs 400.
Electives with Latin American or Caribbean content as advised (12 cr.).
Reading proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or French
The department will administer the proficiency examinations. The intent is to test the student's ability to read and understand research material written in Spanish, French, or Portuguese. The examination will consist of questions about selected passages in the appropriate language.
Students can build proficiency through completion of the appropriate reading courses in Portuguese, Spanish, or French. Students are also encouraged to use appropriate materials and media in the Interactive Media Center in the University Library and/or the Center for Language Learning and Research (C.E.L.L.A.R.) to build their reading skills. To schedule an examination, students should contact the undergraduate program director, Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, for more details.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Puerto Rican Studies
General Program B.A.: A total of 36 credits, 12 of which must be at or above the 300 level, as follows: Core Courses on Puerto Ricans (9 cr.): A Lcs 150 or 150Z, 329 and 429.
Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (9 cr.): A Lcs 102, 269 and 405.
Puerto Rico and Latin America (3 cr.): A Lcs 100/100Z or 145 or 357 or 361.
Race, Gender and Ethnicity (3 cr.): A Lcs 201 or 240 or 282M or 302 or 451.
Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (3 cr.): A Lcs 400.
Electives with Latin American or Caribbean content as advised (9 cr.)
Reading proficiency in Spanish.
The department will administer of the proficiency examinations. The intent is to test the student's ability to read and understand research material about Puerto Rico written in Spanish The examination will consist of translations of selected passages in Spanish.
Students can build proficiency through completion of the appropriate reading courses in Spanish. Students are also encouraged to use appropriate materials and media in the Interactive Media Center in the University Library and/or the Center for Language Learning and Research (C.E.L.L.A.R.) to build their reading skills. To schedule an examination, students should contact the undergraduate program director, Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
The BA/MBA Five-Year Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Business Administration Degree Program:
An Early Admission Option Leading to a Masters of Business Administration: Effective for those students who matriculate as Freshmen at the University at Albany in August 1996 and thereafter.
MODULE A: DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS WITH ELEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE (EQUIVALENT TO SPN 100, SPN 101l) OF SPANISH.
| FRESHMAN YEAR |
| Fall Semester |
|
Spring Semester |
| Spn 103L | 4 crs | | Spn 104L | 3 crs |
| Lcs 100 | 3 crs | | Lcs 102 | 3 crs |
| Eco 110M | 3 crs | | Eco 111M | 3 crs |
| Psy 101M | 3 crs | <-- Interchangeable --> | Soc 115M | 3 crs |
| Gen Ed "N" | 3 crs | | Writing Intensive | 3 crs |
| Total Semester Credit | 16 crs | Total Credits 31 | Total Semester Credit | 15 crs |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR |
| Fall Semester | | Spring Semester |
| Spn 206 | 3 crs | | Spn 207 | 3 crs |
| Lcs 201-Gen Ed "HD" | 3 crs | | Lcs/Eco 361 | 3 crs |
| Acc 211 | 3 crs | | Acc 222 | 3 crs |
| Msi 215 | 3 crs | <-- Interchangeable --> | Mat 108 | 3 crs |
| Gen Ed "N" | 3 crs | | Lcs 400 | 3 crs |
| Total Semester Credit | 15 crs | Total Credits 30 | Total Semester Credit | 15 crs |
At the end of the Sophomore year, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies majors interested in this program apply through the School of Business Office of Student Services, BA 36A. Applicants must have a cumulative University at Albany GPA of at least 3.3 and a minimum grade of "B" in Eco 110M and 111M in order to waive Fin 515. If a final grade of "B" is not received in Eco 110M and 111M, then the student will have to take Fin 515 in the Fall of their fourth year.
| Junior Year Abroad (at he Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Santurce, Puerto Rico or the University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica) |
| Fall Semester | | Spring Semester |
| Lcs 150L | 3 crs | | Lcs (Hum. & Fine Arts | 3 crs |
| Lcs (Race, Gender, and Ethnicity) | 3 crs | | Lcs 300-400 level elective | 3 crs |
| NOTE: Students are encouraged to take at least one 300-level Spanish language or literature course in their first semester. A 3 credit course yielding Cultural and Historical Perspective credit must be completed as well as 15 other Liberal Arts and Sciences credits for a total of 30 credits. Nine of these credits must be electives with Latin American or Caribbean content as advised. Also, there must be an upper-level writing intensive course taken before graduation.
|
| Total Credits 30 |
| SENIOR YEAR |
| Fall Semester |
|
Spring Semester |
| Msi 512 (1st Quarter) | 2 crs | | Msi 521 (3rd Quarter) | 2 crs |
| Mgt 513a (1st Quarter) | 2 crs | | Fin 525 (3rd Quarter) | 3 crs |
| Mgt 513b (1st Quarter) | 1 crs | | Msi 520 (4th Quarter) | 3 crs |
| Msi 511 (2nd Quarter) | 2 crs | | Bus 524 (4th Quarter) | 1 crs |
| Mgt 514 (2nd Quarter) | 3 crs | <-- Interchangeable --> | Mkt 522 (3rd Quarter) | 4 crs |
| Acc 517 (2nd Quarter) | 2 crs | | Mgt 523 (4th Quarter) | 1 crs |
| Liberal Arts Elective* | 3 crs | | Mgt 600 (4th Quarter) | 1 crs |
| See note below on waivers.
Note: You must apply to graduate in January and receive your degree as of May before you can enter the Fifth Year. |
| FIFTH YEAR |
Fall Semester | | Spring Semester |
| Field Project/Practicum | 3 crs | | Field Project/Practicum | 3 crs |
| Concentration | 6 crs | | Concentration | 6 crs |
| Electives | 3 crs | | Electives | 3 crs |
| Strategic Management | 3 crs | | | |
Notes on waiving courses:
- Must receive a final grade of at least "B" in Eco 110M and Eco 111M to waive Fin 515.
- Must receive a final grade of at least "B" in Acc 211 to waive Acc 516.
- Must have familiarity with microcomputer software (specifically spreadsheets) such as LOTUS 1-2-3, EXCEL, QUATRO PRO, and other windows applications to waive Msi 510 (computer skills).
Notes:
- Students must have completed 120 credits by the end of the senior year (90 of which must be in Liberal Arts and Sciences courses) and receive your BA degree by August before entering the fifth year. (Business School courses listed in this program are not Liberal Arts and Sciences courses.) An upper level writing intensive courses and all general education requirements must also be completed by the end of the Senior year.
- During the fall of the senior year, students in this program must take the GMAT exam and present an acceptable score (at least 500).
- Your cumulative GPA at the end of your senior year must be at least 3.0 to continue in this program.
All School of Business, economics, statistics, computer science courses must be done at the University at Albany after matriculation.
Honors Program
The Honors Program in the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies consists of at least 12 credits of course work designed to enhance and intensify the undergraduate experience for the honors student
To be eligible for admission to the honors program, the student must have declared either the Latin American Studies or the Puerto Rican Studies major The student must also have completed at least 12 credits of course work within the given major. In addition, the student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25, and 3.50 in the major, both of which must be maintained in order to graduate with honors.
To be admitted to the Honors Program, majors with the required grade point averages must complete A Lcs 400 Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (3 credits) with a grade of A or A-.
After admission to the Honors Program, the student must complete with a grade of A or A- a specifically designed three-credit junior- or senior-level independent honors project (A Lcs 497) under the direction of an Honors Committee selected by the chair of the department in consultation with a faculty director chosen by the student.
