Puerto Rican and Latino Studies (PRLS)

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

210. Contemporary Issues in Latino Studies

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.

211. Puerto Rican/Latino Studies Research

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.

212. Field Internship in Latino Studies

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

Work in cultural community-oriented setting(s).

220. History of Latino/as in the United States

(Also offered as HIST 278.) Either semester. Three credits. 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.

221. Latinos/as and Human Rights

(Also offered as HIST 284 and HRTS 220.) Either semester. Three credits. Silvestrini

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

230. Latina Narrative

(Also offered as WS 258.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or 111 or 250 or instructor consent. Gonzalez

Feminist topics in contemporary Latina literature and cultural studies.

231. Fictions of Latino Masculinity

(Also offered as WS 259.) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or 111 or 250 or instructor consent. Gonzalez

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

232. Latina/o Literature

(Also offered as ENGL 261.) Either semester. Three credits.  Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or 111 or 250 or instructor consent. Gonzalez

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

233. Studies in Latina/o Literature

(Also offered as ENGL 262.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or 111 or 250 or instructor consent. 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. 

234W. History of Migration in Las Américas

(Also offered as HIST 233W and LAMS 233W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: PRLS 210, LAMS 190, ANTH 227, HIST 280, HIST 282, or HIST 278/PRLS 220. Spanish useful, but not required. Instructor consent. Open to sophomores or higher. 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.

241. Latin American Minorities in the United States

(Also offered as ANTH 241). 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.

250. Latino Health and Health Care

(Also offered as HDFS 267.) Either semester. Three credits. 

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).

251. Latinos: Sexuality and Gender

(Also offered as HDFS 268.) Either semester. Three credits.

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

260. Media and Special Audiences

(Also offered as COMM 232.) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMM 100 or COMS 102. 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.

264. Latinas and Media

(Also offered as WS 260 and COMM 233.) Second semester. Three credits. Rios

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

270. Latino Political Behavior

(Also offered as POLS 249.) Either semester. Three credits. 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.

271. Immigration and Transborder Politics

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.

294. Literature of Puerto Rico and the Spanish Caribbean

(Also offered as SPAN 294.) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: SPAN 278 or instructor consent.

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

295. Variable Topics in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies

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.

298. Special Topics in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies

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

Special topics in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies.

299. Independent Study in Puerto Rican and Latino Studies

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