Concentration Requirements

Beginning the Latino/a Studies Concentration

First- and second-year students may begin with any of six core courses listed under Concentration Requirements. 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.

Concentration Requirements and Curriculum

1. Core and Related Areas Coursework

Students are required to take 2.5 units (five semester 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. One unit (two semester courses) must be core courses chosen from the following: SPAN 380 Introduction to Chicano Cultural Studies, SPAN 381 Resisting Borders: Contemporary Latino/a Literature, ENGL 273 Introduction to Latin@ Literature and Film, ARTS 391 Studio Views: Identities and Chicana/o Art, PSYCH 392 Introduction to Latin@ Psychology, or HIST 392 Borderland History. Students also must choose 1.5 unit (three additional semester courses) in related areas of study within American Studies, English, History, MLL, Psychology, Sociology, Women 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. At least one of these courses must be an advanced seminar.

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 will be required. Four core courses (SPAN 380 Introduction to Chicano Cultural Studies, SPAN 381 Resisting Borders: Contemporary Latino/a Literature, ARTS 391 Studio Views: Identities and Chicana/o Art, and PSYCH 392 Introduction to Latin@ Psychology) will offer the learning service component of the concentration and each will require 10 hours of service learning. 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 for one semester or a year. 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 is also recommended.

Courses that meet the Latino/a Studies Concentration Requirement

AMST 493 Senior Seminar***

ARTS 391 Studio Views: Identities and Chicana/o Art*

AMST 229 Social Movements**

ENGL273 Introduction to Latin@ Literature and Film*

ENGL 282 Beyond Borders: An Introduction to Trans-American Literature**

ENGL 381 Another America: Narratives of the Hemisphere***

HIST 218 History of Mexico**

HIST 321 The Mexican Revolution***

HIST 322 Human Rights in Latin America***

HIST 311 Immigrant Experience in the United States***

HIST 323 Borderland History*

PSCI 355 Immigration, Citizenship and National Identity***

PSYCH 391 Introduction to Latino Psychology*

PSYCH 327 Cross-Cultural Psychology ***

SOCY 233 Sociology of Food**

SOCY 235 Transnational Social Movements**

SOCY 237 Border and Border Crossing**

SPAN 335 Literature and Popular Culture in Spanish America**

SPAN 380 Introduction to Chicano Cultural Studies*

SPAN 381 Resisting Borders: Contemporary Latino/a Literature*

WGS 242 Transnational Feminisms**

* Course fulfills the core course requirement

** Course fulfills the related area requirement

*** Course fulfills the advanced seminar requirement