Puerto Rican and Latino Studies (PRLS)

Director, Institute for Puerto Rican & Latino Studies: Assistant Professor Guillermo Irizarry
Office: Room 413, Beach Hall, 4th floor

1009. Latino Literature, Culture, and Society

(Also offered as SPAN 1009.) Either semester. Three credits. Knowledge of Spanish is not required. Taught in English. Casamayor, Irizarry

Critical approaches to Latinos/as and cultural representation, production, and agency, as impacted by globalization and local dynamics. Will engage the value and function of race, gender, and sexuality in popular culture, literature, film, music, digital culture, visual arts, and urban culture. CA 1.

3210. Contemporary Issues in Latino Studies

(210) Either semester. Three credits.

Topics in socio-demographic patterns, cultural identity claims, community organization, migration and citizenship issues of Latino groups in post-WWII United States. Emphasis on comparative analysis and on policy implications. CA 4.

3211. Puerto Rican/Latino Studies Research

(211) Either semester. Three credits.

Students design, execute and write original, library or archival-based research on Latino/a experience using documents, films, literary works, surveys, photographic and newspaper materials.

3220. History of Latino/as in the United States

(220) (Also offered as HIST 3674.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Silvestrini

Settlement and growth of Hispanic-origin populations in the United States today, from Spanish and Mexican settlement of western United States to the growth of Latino communities. Student oral history project. CA 1. CA 4.

3221. Latinos/as and Human Rights

(221) (Also offered as HIST 3575 and HRTS 3221.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Silvestrini

Latino/a issues related to human, civil and cultural rights, and gender differences.

3230. Latina Narrative

(230) (Also offered as WS 3258.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800 or instructor consent. Gonzalez

Feminist topics in contemporary Latina literature and cultural studies.

3231. Fictions of Latino Masculinity

(231) (Also offered as WS 3259.) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800 or instructor consent. Gonzalez

Topics in Latino literature and cultural studies with an emphasis on masculinity and male authors.

3232. Latina/o Literature

(232) (Also offered as ENGL 3605.) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800 or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Gonzalez

Extensive readings in Latina/o literature from the late nineteenth century to the present. CA 4.

3233. Studies in Latina/o Literature

(233) (Also offered as ENGL 3607.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800 or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. May be repeated for credit with a change of topic.Gonzalez

Advanced study of a theme, form, author, or movement in contemporary Latina/o literature. 

3241. Latin American Minorities in the United States

(241) (Also offered as ANTH 3041). Either semester. Three credits. 

Emphasis on groups of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban origin, including treatment and historical background, social stratification, informal social relations, ethnic perceptions, relations and the concept of Latino identity.

3250. Latino Health and Health Care

(250) (Also offered as HDFS 3442.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Gonzalez

Overview of health and health care issues among Latinos in the United States. Particular attention is paid to cultural and social factors associated with health and well being (e.g. migration, acculturation, SES).

3251. Latinos: Sexuality and Gender

(251) (Also offered as HDFS 3268.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher.

Critical discussion of issues involving gender and sexuality among Latinos, with particular attention to race, class, ethnicity, and acculturation.

3264. Latinas and Media

(264) ( Also offered as WS 3260 and COMM 3321.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Rios

The role of ethnicity and race in women's lives. Special attention to communication research on ethnic and racial minority women. CA 4.

3265. Literature of Puerto Rico and the Spanish Caribbean

(294) (Also offered as SPAN 3265.) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: SPAN 3178 or instructor consent.

Readings and discussions of major authors and works of the Spanish Caribbean with special emphasis on Puerto Rico.

3270. Latino Political Behavior

(270) (Also offered as POLS 3662.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Pantoja

Latino politics in the United States. Political histories of four different Latino populations: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central American. Different forms of political expressions, ranging from electoral behavior to political art. CA 4.

3271. Immigration and Transborder Politics

(271) Either semester. Three credits. Pantoja

U.S. immigration policy, trans-border politics, and the impact diasporas and ethnic lobbies have on U.S. foreign policy, with emphasis on Latino diasporas.

3295. Special Topics in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies

(298) Either or both semesters. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. 

Special topics in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies.

3298. Variable Topics in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies

(295) Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. 

Intensive study of specialized topics not ordinarily covered in the undergraduate curriculum, taught by visiting scholars or joint appointment faculty.

3299. Independent Study in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies

(299) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, this course may be repeated for credit. Consent of the instructor.

3660W. History of Migration in Las Américas

(234W) (Also offered as HIST 3660W and LAMS 3660W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: PRLS 3210, LAMS 1190, ANTH 3042, HIST 3609, HIST 3635, or HIST 3674/PRLS 3220. Spanish useful, but not required. Instructor consent. Gabany-Guerrero, Overmyer-Velázquez

Applies broad chronological and spatial analyses of origins of migration in the Americas to the experiences of people of Latin American origin in Connecticut . Addresses a range of topics from the initial settlement of the Americas to 21st century migrations. CA 1. CA 4.

4212. Field Internship in Latino Studies

(212) Either semester. One to three credits; may be repeated for up to six credits. 

Work in cultural community-oriented setting(s).

4320. Media and Special Audiences

(260) (Also offered as COMM 4320.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: COMM 1000. Rios

Media content and audience responses. Ethnic, racial, and gender issues in mainstream and ethnic media. Special audiences include Latina/os, African Americans, Asian Americans, Women, Gays, Lesbians.