Distinguished Professors

Edna Acosta-Belén, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
(Department Chair)
Columbia University

Daniel C. Levy, Ph.D.,
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Professors

Jeanette Altarriba, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University

Christine Bose, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Johns Hopkins University

Louise Burkhart, Ph.D.
Yale University

Ray Bromley, Ph.D.
Cambridge University

Max Lifchitz, M.M.
Harvard University

Colbert I. Nepaulsingh, Ph.D.
University of Toronto

Associate Professors

José Cruz, Ph.D.
City University of New York

Glyne Griffith, Ph.D.
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus

Blanca Ramos, Ph.D.
University at Albany

Gilbert Valverde, Ph.D.
University of Chicago

James W. Wessman, Ph.D.
University of Connecticut

Assistant Professors

Ana Margarita Cervantes-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
University of Miami

Susan Gauss, Ph.D.
SUNY-Stony Brook

Fernando Leiva, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Patricia Pinho, Ph.D.
State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Adjuncts and Lecturers

Teresa Carranza, Ph.D.
University at Albany

C. Aida Torres-Horwitt, Ph.D.
University at Albany

Adjuncts (estimated): 3
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 5

The Department of Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies has a cross-disciplinary faculty prepared to train undergraduates for research, service, and applied careers dealing with the U.S. Latino 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 through the University�s Office for International Programs.

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 Latino 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 and the Caribbean are also offered in the Departments of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, History, Geography and Regional Planning, Anthropology, Sociology, Africana Studies, Education, 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 359 or 361.

Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement (3 cr.): A Lcs 216/216Z or 230 or 268 or 312 or 315 or 316 or 317 or 318 or 319 or 326 or 327/327Z, 414 or 415.

Race, Gender and Ethnicity (3 cr.): A Lcs 240 or 282 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, Portuguese, or French. 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, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino 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 282 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, Portuguese, 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, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies.

The BA/MBA Five-Year Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies/Business Administration Degree Program:

An Early Admission Option Leading to a Masters of Business Administration: Available 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 101) OF SPANISH.

FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester			Spring Semester
Spn 103	4 crs		Spn 104	3 crs
Lcs 100	3 crs		Lcs 102	3 crs
Eco 110	3 crs		Eco 111	3 crs
Psy 101	3 crs	ßInterchangeableà	Soc 115	3 crs
Gen Ed	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
Itm 215	3 crs	ßInterchangeableà	Mat 108	3 crs
Gen Ed	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, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino 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 110 and 111 in order to waive Fin 515. If a final grade of �B� is not received in Eco 110 and 111, 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)
 

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 150	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
Itm 512 (1st Quarter)	2 crs		Itm 521 (3rd Quarter)	2 crs
Mgt 513 (1st Quarter)	2 crs		Fin 525 (3rd Quarter)	3 crs
Mgt 513 (1st Quarter)	1 crs		Itm 520 (4th Quarter)	3 crs
Itm 511 (2nd Quarter)	2 crs		Bus 524 (4th Quarter)	1 crs
Mgt 514 (2nd Quarter)	3 crs	ßInterchangeableà	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 110 and Eco 111 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 Itm 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, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino 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.