Latin American and Iberian Studies
Department of Latin American and Iberian Studies
Sharon G. Feldman, Chair
Professor Feldman
Associate Professors Ferman, Hermida-Ruiz
Assistant Professors Izquierdo, Otero-Blanco
Director of Portuguese Abreu
Director of Technology, LAIS Valencia
Director of Intensive Language Program in Spanish Peebles
Assistant Director of Intensive Language Program in Spanish Simpson
Director of Outreach Program Lawrence
Director of Global Studio Scinicariello
The Latin American and Iberian Studies Major
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the major must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70).
9.5 units, including
Two units chosen from
- LAIS 301-306 (content-based language courses emphasizing speaking, reading, and writing)
One unit chosen from
- LAIS 311 Perspectives on Peoples and Cultures of Spain
- LAIS 312 Perspectives on Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
One unit chosen from
- LAIS 321 Literary Spain
- LAIS 331 Introduction to Spanish American Literature I
- LAIS 332 Introduction to Spanish American Literature II
Three units chosen from the 400-level seminars in literature and culture
Two electives chosen from LAIS classes above 310
LAIS 496 Senior Symposium
Additional requirements for majors
- For students studying abroad for a semester or year, at least one 400-level LAIS seminar must be taken upon return to the University of Richmond
- A maximum of four non-University of Richmond courses can be transferred toward the LAIS major
- All LAIS majors need to have completed previously at least two 300-level LAIS courses in order to receive LAIS credit from a study abroad program
Cross-School Major in Latin American and Iberian Studies and International Business
(Earned in conjunction with a major in the Robins School of Business with an international business concentration.)
9.5 units, in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including
Two units chosen from
- LAIS 301-306 (must be taken prior to study abroad)
One unit chosen from
- LAIS 321 Literary Spain
- LAIS 331 Introduction to Spanish American Literature I
- LAIS 332 Introduction to Spanish American Literature II
Two units in LAIS at the 400 level, one of which must be taken upon return from study abroad
One semester in Latin America or Spain at an approved institution with an all-Spanish curriculum in business (4 courses)
LAIS 496 Senior Symposium
The cross-school major in Latin American Studies and International Business represents a collaborative project between the Department of Latin American and Iberian Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences and the International Business Program in the Robins School of Business. The curriculum includes a semester abroad at one of the University's partner institutions (for example, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in Argentina, Universidad de Deusto in Spain, or Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico). At such institutions, students will continue their Robins School concentrations in classes with both local and other international students.
In order to prepare for the experience abroad, students in LAIS will have a solid base of 300-level courses taken on the Richmond campus. Upon return they will broaden their knowledge of literary and cultural studies through advanced seminars as well as continue their Robins School coursework.
The Latin American and Iberian Studies Minor
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.70).
5 units, including
Two units chosen from
- LAIS 301-306 (content-based language courses emphasizing speaking, reading, and writing)
One unit chosen from
- LAIS 311 Perspectives on Peoples and Cultures of Spain
- LAIS 312 Perspectives on Peoples and Cultures of Latin America
One unit chosen from
- LAIS 321 Literary Spain
- LAIS 331 Introduction to Spanish American Literature I
- LAIS 332 Introduction to Spanish American Literature II
One elective chosen from LAIS classes above 310
All LAIS minors need to have previously completed at least two LAIS courses at the 300 level at the University of Richmond in order to transfer credit from a study abroad program.
LAIS Curriculum for Students with Advanced or Superior Proficiency in Spanish
The following curriculum is designed for students entering the university with advanced or superior proficiency in Spanish. This includes native speakers, heritage speakers, and students who have acquired advanced proficiency through residence in a Spanish-speaking country. Students with advanced or superior proficiency must seek the advice of an LAIS faculty member before registering.
Students with advanced or superior proficiency who wish to pursue a major or minor in LAIS should complete their studies with courses higher than LAIS 310. One of these courses should be LAIS 385 Spanish Writing Workshop. The total number of units required for the major remains 9.5 (and, for the minor, it remains 5).
Students with advanced or superior proficiency who wish to take LAIS courses as electives, without pursuing a major or minor, should follow the same criteria. Students who have taken a course above 310 cannot take a language course below 310 for elective credit, except with permission of the department.
Note about Portuguese
LAIS 313, Portuguese for Spanish Speakers, is an accelerated language course aimed at students already fluent in Spanish (either heritage speakers or students who have completed at least one 400-level LAIS course). LAIS 323, Mapping Luso-Brazilian Cultures, is a follow-up course to develop reading skills. Both Portuguese courses may be taken for elective credit toward the LAIS major. Contact Professor Dixon Abreu if interested.
Related Fields
International Studies: Latin American Studies
International Studies: Modern Europe
International Studies: World Politics and Diplomacy
Study Abroad
Study abroad is strongly encouraged for all students. The department offers summer study programs in Argentina and Spain. In addition, there are exchange agreements for study during the academic year in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Spain. For a complete list, contact the Office of International Education.
Outreach Program
The LAIS Outreach Program at the University of Richmond builds bridges with the Hispanic community, giving students the opportunity to enrich their cultural experience and use their language skills. Students participating in this program may work for a minimum of 20 hours per semester for an additional .25 units of credit (up to .5 units of credit).
Courses
LAIS
121 Intensive Elementary Spanish
For students with no prior experience studying the Spanish language. Stresses development of skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a fast-paced environment, which includes an introduction to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish, with two additional weekly practice sessions.
Unit(s): 2
LAIS
131 Intensive Elementary Portuguese
Intensive introduction to the Portuguese language. Stresses development of skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a fast-paced environment that includes an introduction to the cultures of the Lusophone world.
Unit(s): 2
LAIS
151 Spanish for Advanced Beginners
Advanced beginner's course is designed for students who need a review of elementary Spanish before continuing on to Spanish 221. The course will concentrate on the fundamentals of the Spanish grammar system as applied to the skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Taught in Spanish, with two additional weekly practice sessions.
Prerequisite(s): At least two years of high school Spanish.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
221 Intensive Intermediate Spanish
Stresses further development of language production and reception skills through expanded creative activities including class discussions, written compositions, and in-class presentations. The cultural component includes readings, films, and Web-based authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish, with two additional weekly practice sessions.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 121 or 151 or permission of department.
General Education Requirement: (COM2)
Unit(s): 2
LAIS
231 Intensive Intermediate Portuguese
Reinforcement and further development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Portuguese; detailed survey/study of Lusophone cultures.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 131
General Education Requirement: (COM2)
Unit(s): 2
LAIS
301 Spanish in the Community
Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through the study of the Latin American immigrant experience. In addition to the classroom study of Hispanic immigrant literature, newspapers, and films, students will participate in an outreach project in the local Hispanic community. Note: The community-based learning component may also be undertaken independently. Contact the department for more information.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
302 Spanish in Fiction
Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through literary texts of the Hispanic world. Reading of poems, short stories, plays, and short novels and interpretion through class discussions and regular writing assignments. This is not an FSLT course.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
303 Spanish in the Media
Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through a focus on mass media in Spanish and Latin American culture. Spanish will be taught through direct contact with newspapers, journals, TV programming, and films. Students are expected to participate actively in class debates and presentations, complete written assignments on a regular basis, and view all programs and films assigned by the instructor.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
304 Spanish in the Theater
Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through the study and performance of contemporary plays from Latin America. Special attention will be given to the discussion of social, cultural, historical, and political aspects of the texts studied, as well as their genre-specific characteristics.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
305 Spanish in Politics and Society
Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through the study and discussion of current events and issues in the Spanish-speaking world.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
306 Spanish in Business
Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills relative to commercial documents and transactions commonly used in the Hispanic world. Practice in writing based on materials needed for conducting business in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
311 Perspectives on Peoples and Cultures of Spain
Study of society, cultures, arts, history, and ideas of Spain.
Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
312 Perspectives on Cultures and Nations of Latin America
Study of society, cultures, arts, history, and ideas of Latin America.
Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
313 Portuguese for Spanish Speakers
Accelerated introduction to Brazilian Portuguese language and culture for students already proficient in Spanish. Focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the study of grammar and selected readings.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
321 Literary Spain: Poetry, Drama, Fiction
Introduction to literary analysis within the cultural context of Spain. Critical tools for approaching specific literary genres: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Readings are selected for their literary, cultural, and historical significance.
Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.
General Education Requirement: (FSLT)
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
323 Mapping Luso-Brazilian Cultures
Advanced Portuguese grammar; continued expansion of oral, reading and writing skills; introduction to social and historical development of Lusophone cultures.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 231 or 313.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
331-332 Introduction to Spanish-American Literature, I-II
Introduction to Spanish-American literature and critical literary analysis. Focus on primary texts dating from the 15th through 19th centuries (331); 20th century (332).
Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.
General Education Requirement: (FSLT)
Unit(s): 1-1
LAIS
333 Introduction to Luso-Brazilian Literatures
Introduction to literary movements and tendencies, along with representative authors, within the context of the Portuguese-speaking world. Critical tools for approaching specific literary genres: narrative fiction, poetry, and drama. Readings are selected for their literary, cultural, and historical significance. Taught in Portuguese.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 323
General Education Requirement: (FSLT)
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
385 Spanish Writing Workshop
Analysis of grammatical structure of Spanish. Writing practice.
Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306. Students entering with advanced or superior proficiency should contact the department about enrollment in this class.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
388 Individual Internship
Not to be counted as credit toward the major or minor. No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
Prerequisite(s): Admission by audition/permission of department.
Unit(s): .25-1
LAIS
389 Practice Assistantship
Students lead practice sessions associated with the elementary and intermediate language sequences in Spanish. The practice assistantship does not count as course credit toward the major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): .25
LAIS
397 Selected Topics
Special interest topics offered at department's discretion.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
406 Summer Undergraduate Research
Documentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 8 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.
Prerequisite(s): Approval for summer Arts and Sciences fellowship by faculty mentor
Unit(s): 0
LAIS
421 Arabs, Jews and Christians from Frontier to Empire: Medieval Spanish Literature
Analysis of the interaction between Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Spanish Peninsula from the establishment of Al-Andalus to the consolidation of the Spanish Empire. An analysis of this cultural period in light of the attention given (or not given) to it in contemporary historiography, either as an exemplary moment of religious tolerance or "convivencia," or as early proof of what is now called "the clash of civilizations" or "clash of cultures."
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
432 True Lies: Fiction and Truth in Don Quijote
Study of Cervantes' successful formula for the novel. Analyzes conflict between fiction and truth as the basis for a new realist novel proposed by Cervantes.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
431 Imperial Spain: The Age of Conflict
Study of literary responses to the new constitution of Spain as Empire and new definitions of Spanish identity.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
451 Literature of Exile
Study of Spanish exile literature and multiple constructions of the exilic imagination in relation to Spanish cultural and political history.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
452 Spanish-American Poetic Texts
Study of the communicative power of poetic language with special emphasis given to identification of basic tools for interpreting poetic texts in relation to individual and general contexts
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
454 Modern Literature of Galicia
An interdisciplinary approach to the study of modern Galician literature and culture (Galician traditions, visual art, film) and their relevance within a global context.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
455 Barcelona: Text and City
The cultural, intellectual, and urban history of the city of Barcelona from the mid 19th century to the present, with special attention to how the city is portrayed in literature and other works of art.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
462 Visions of Contemporary Spain
Study of the cultures of contemporary Spain since the transition to democracy with special attention given to literature, film, theatre, art, popular culture, and mass media.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
463 Modern Spanish Narrative
Study of representative narrative texts from the 19th to the 21st century. Emphasis on the technical and thematic innovations of the novel and short story as well as the social and historical contexts that have shaped literary production.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
464 Modern Theatre in Spain
Study of written dramatic texts and performance traditions from Spain. Selections may include works from the 18th century to the present.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
465 Spanish Cinema
Study of significant Spanish films with special attention to their relationship to politics, culture, society, and history.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
471 Introduction to Latin American Film
Study of prominent examples of Latin American film production with special attention paid to aesthetic aspects of cinematographic language and cultural questions embodied in the films examined. (Same as Film Studies 471)
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
472 Contemporary Spanish-American Theater
Study of leading contemporary theatrical movements in Spanish America with focus on universal aspects of language of the theater and uniqueness of Spanish-American themes and trends.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
473 Political Action and Latin American Indigenous Film
Examines the main cinematic movements in Latin America, in which political action and the vindication of indigenous peoples and their land coalesce with a concern for a new film aesthetic. (Same as Film Studies 473)
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
474 Contemporary Writing in Latin America: Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll
An interdisciplinary approach to the study of the literary movements currently taking place in Latin America. Special attention devoted to the literature published during the last decade of the 20th century as a defining period in which new trends become consolidated. Covers the entire region, focusing on works published in the Southern Cone, Colombia, Central America, Mexico, and Cuba.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
475 Women and Writing in Latin America
Question of representation and self-representation of women in selected Spanish-American texts. Attention given to recently developed theories relevant to women's writing and concerns.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
477 Literature of the Spanish-Speaking Caribbean
Study of texts representative of multiple ethnic and cultural influences (indigenous, European, and African) at play in the Caribbean basin.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
484 The Latin American Essay
Examines the cultural history of Latin America and the construction of its intellectual traditions through the study of the essay. Special attention given to the definition of the genre within Spanish-American literature and its role in public debates from colonial to contemporary Latin America.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
485 Spanish-American Narrative
Study of representative Spanish-American novels and/or short stories from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Attention given to technical aspects of literary narrative as well as cultural contexts.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
486 U.S. Latino/a Literature
Comprehensive study of Hispanic-Americans' struggle for identity in light of their historical, ethnic, economic, and cultural positions in the United States.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
487 Latin America: Encounter and Conflict
Thematic study of representative Spanish-American texts, focusing on the search for identity and confrontation occurring between different societies, systems of thought, and cultures.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
LAIS
495 Independent Study
Special research projects pursued individually under faculty supervision. Project proposal must be fully developed in conjunction with a faculty member prior to presentation for department approval.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): .25-1
LAIS
496 Senior Symposium
Presentation at the Latin American and Iberian Studies Spring Symposium of research project carried out within the context of an LAIS seminar. Offered in spring semester only.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.
Unit(s): .5
LAIS
497 Selected Topics
Special interest topics offered at discretion of the department.
Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.
Unit(s): 1
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