Latino/a Studies

Interdisciplinary

Beginning Studies

First-year and sophomore students may begin with any of six core courses listed below. Students need not take two of the core courses consecutively during the same academic year. Students who need to fulfill the language requirement for the concentration should begin their study of Spanish in the first two years at Kenyon.

Requirements for the Concentration

1. Core and Related Areas Coursework

Students are required to take five courses which focus on Latino/a culture and society, outside of the language requirement. Courses should be chosen from at least two different departments. These courses should be chosen from the list of courses approved by the Latino/a Studies program committee and may include up to two relevant courses taken in study abroad programs.

Two courses must be chosen from the following:

Core Coursework

ENGL 273 Latino/Latina Literature and Film
HIST 323 Borderlands History
PSYC 328 Latino Psychology
SPAN 191 Latino/a Identity
SPAN 380 Introduction to Chicana/o Cultural Studies

Three courses must be in related areas of study within American studies, English, history, MLL, psychology, sociology, women's and gender studies, or other programs and departments that offer courses about the histories and cultures of Latino/a communities, depending on the course offerings in any given academic year.

Related Areas Coursework:

ENGL 391 Postcolonial Americas
HIST 218 History of Mexico
PSCI 441 Latin American Politics in Film and Fiction
PSYC 327 Cross-Cultural Psychology
RLST 228 Christianity in the Global South
SOCY 229 Social Movements
SOCY 233 Sociology of Food
SOCY 235 Transnational Social Movements
SPAN 321 Literature and Film: Advanced Writing in Spanish
SPAN 335 Literature and Popular Culture in Spanish America
SPAN 355 The Literature of National Experience in Mexico
WGS 242 Transnational Feminisms

One course must be an advanced seminar.

Seminar Coursework:

AMST 493 Individual Study
HIST 311 Immigrant Experience in the United States
HIST 322 Human Rights in Latin America
PSCI 355 Immigration, Citizenship and National Identity
SOCY 237 Borders and Border Crossing
SPAN 381 Resisting Borders: Contemporary Latino/a Literature and Film

2. Language Study

At least one year of study in Spanish language is required. Currently, this requirement can be met by taking the two-semester sequence of Spanish at Kenyon (SPAN 111Y-112Y). The equivalent of one year of approved college-level language instruction in Spanish at another accredited academic institution will also meet the requirement, as will some intensive summer programs, or a semester of language study abroad when paired with language immersion. In the case of transfer students, credit will be accepted for a year of Spanish language study with a grade of C+ or better pursued at another institution. If the student tests out of the College language requirement, the program committee will waive the language requirement. Students in the concentration are encouraged to continue language study for more than one year.

3. Service Learning Experience

A minimum of 20 hours of service learning experience is required.

Three core courses will offer the service learning component of the concentration, and each will require at least 10 hours of service learning.

PSYC 328 Latino Psychology
SPAN 380 Introduction to Chicana/o Cultural Studies
SPAN 381 Resisting Borders: Contemporary Latino/a Literature and Film

This community-based learning experience must be within a Latino/a community and must be arranged in consultation with the faculty using service learning. At least one course with service will occur once a year. Each faculty member will provide a set of guidelines with descriptions and expectations for both students and service providers.

Off-Campus Study

Off-campus study in a Spanish-speaking country is not required, but it is highly recommended. Students should consult with the Latino/a Studies faculty and the director of the Center for Global Engagement for the numerous opportunities available to Kenyon students to study abroad. Students are encouraged to attend study abroad programs in countries representing most critically the U.S. Latino population including, but not limited to, Mexico and Central America, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Cuba. The Earlham Border Studies program also is recommended.