Major & Minors

The Latin American and Latinx Studies major draws on various social science disciplines, such as sociology, political science, anthropology and economics, as well as on disciplines in the humanities, including history, literature and the arts. By integrating these varied disciplines in the LLS courses, this major is designed to ensure that students will have both a comprehensive foundational and interdisciplinary knowledge of Latin American and Latinx Studies and a specialization in either Latin American Studies or Latinx Studies.

Learning outcomes. Students will:

• Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the study of Latin America and of Latinx communities in the U.S.
• Integrate the fields of Latin American Studies and Latinx Studies to develop a deep understanding of the relationship between the social, economic, cultural, and political processes of Latin America and the development in the U.S. of communities of persons of Latin American origin or descent.
• Grasp the relationship between the lives of individuals and the course of history, how one’s life intersects with larger social, political, and economic forces.
• Appreciate the history of Latin America and that of Latinx people in the U.S. as they struggle for justice and human dignity in the face of persistent structures of injustice, inequality, and the abuse of power.
• Think critically and evaluate contrasting texts, narratives, and discourses relevant to the diverse cultures of Latin America and U.S. Latinx communities.
• Carry out a research project (fieldwork-based or library-based) that includes formulating and justifying a research question, collecting and analyzing data, and articulating conclusions.
• Communicate research results in various formats, including written and oral presentation.
• Possess cultural competency, the ability to work successfully in a variety of culturally diverse settings and to analyze, contextualize and interpret culture/cultural behaviors and beliefs.

Credits Required.

Coordinator: Professor Brian Montes, Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies (212-237-6809, bmontes@jjay.cuny.edu).

Faculty Advisors:

Professors Jose Luis Morin (212.393.6481, jmorin@jjay.cuny.edu), Luis Barrios (212-237-8751, lbarrios@jjay.cuny.edu), Jodie Roure (212-237-8672, jroure@jjay.cuny.edu), Belinda Rincon (212-237-8750, brincon@jjay.cuny.edu), John Gutierrez (212-237-8667, jgutierrez@jjay.cuny.edu), Lisandro Perez (212-237-8708, loperez@jjay.cuny.edu).

Advising resources. Latin American and Latinx Studies Major Advising Resources including a Sample Four-year Plan of Study

Other information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2020 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2019–2020 Undergraduate Bulletin.

Foundational Course

Required depending on foreign language placement

Advisor's recommendation: POR 102 or SPA 102 or SPA 112 satisfy the John Jay College Option: Communications area of the Gen Ed Program.

Subtotal: 0-3

Part One. Required Core Courses

Required

Subtotal: 12

Part Two. Research Methods

Required

Subtotal: 3

Part Three. Study Abroad, Fieldwork, or Independent Research

Required, Select one option:

1. Study Abroad in Latin America (3 credits will be earned from the course offered as part of the study abroad program)
2. LLS 321 Latinx Community Fieldwork (4 credits)
3. LLS 389 Independent Study Research Project (3 credits)

Subtotal: 3-4

Part Four. Language Requirement

Students are required to take one 200-level course in Spanish or Portuguese.

Please note: Students who have prior knowledge of  Portuguese or Spanish can take a placement exam in the Modern Language Center, (212-484-1140, languagelab@jjay.cuny.edu) to place out of this requirement.  

POR 201 is typically offered in the fall semesters.  SPA 207, SPA 308 and SPA 335 do NOT fulfill this language requirement. They are taught in English.

Subtotal: 0-3

Part Five. Electives

Students must choose a track and select three courses. In the other track, students must select one course. At least six credits must be taken at the 300-level or above.

Track A: Latin America

LLS 280 can satisfy Track A. Latin America if the course topic is appropriate. 

Track B: U.S. Latinx Experience

Note: LLS 100 is only open to freshman.  LLS 280 can fulfill Track B. U.S. Latinx Experience if topic is appropriate.

Subtotal: 12

Part Six. Capstone Experience

Required

Subtotal: 3

Part Seven. LLS Honors Option

Required to earn honors in the Latin American and Latinx Studies major

NOTE: Students must qualify for Honors in the LLS major to enroll in LLS 487 Independent Honors Project, see the major coordinator.

Subtotal: 0-3

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 33-43

The Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies offers a minor that engages students in the study of Latin America and the study of persons of Latin American descent (Latinx people) in the United States. The minor exposes students to the political, historical, socioeconomic, and cultural possibilities and obstacles for achieving social justice and equity; cross-cultural and intercultural understanding; respect for human integrity and dignity; and awareness of political and human rights.

Minor coordinator. Professor Brian Montes, Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies (212-237-6809, bmontes@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advisors. Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies Professors Jose Luis Morin (212.393.6481, jmorin@jjay.cuny.edu), Luis Barrios (212-237-8751, lbarrios@jjay.cuny.edu), Jodie Roure (212-237-8672, jroure@jjay.cuny.edu), Belinda Rincon (212-237-8750, brincon@jjay.cuny.edu), John Gutierrez (212-237-8667, jgutierrez@jjay.cuny.edu), Lisandro Perez (212-237-8708, loperez@jjay.cuny.edu).

Requirements. Students must complete 18 credits (six courses) of which 6 are required and 12 are elective. A maximum of two courses can overlap with a student’s major, other minor or program.

Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or selected this minor in September 2020 or thereafter must complete the minor in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the minor. A copy of the earlier version can be obtained in the 2019–2020 Undergraduate Bulletin.

Part One. Required Courses

Subtotal: 6

Part Two. Distribution Requirements

Select two in each category

Category A: Latin America

Category B: U.S. Latinx Experience

Subtotal: 12

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 18

The honors minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies seeks to encourage and assist students to excel in all their courses by providing research and writing skills workshops, as well as workshops about graduate and law school studies. Coursework is centered on Latin America and Latinx people in the United States, as well as race and ethnicity generally in the United States.

Minor coordinator. Professor Brian Montes, Department of Latin American and Latina/o Studies (212.237.8749, bmontes@jjay.cuny.edu)

Advisors. Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies Professors Jose Luis Morin (212.393.6481, jmorin@jjay.cuny.edu), Luis Barrios (212-237-8751, lbarrios@jjay.cuny.edu), Jodie Roure (212-237-8672, jroure@jjay.cuny.edu), Belinda Rincon (212-237-8750, brincon@jjay.cuny.edu), John Gutierrez (212-237-8667, jgutierrez@jjay.cuny.edu), Lisandro Perez (212-237-8708, loperez@jjay.cuny.edu).

Requirements.

• Completion of the coursework for a Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies with a minimum GPA of at least 3.3 (B+) or higher.
• Participation in and completion of at least one of the research and writing skills workshops offered by the Department of Latin American and Latina/o Studies.
• Participation in and completion of at least one graduate/law school career development workshop.
• Completion of an honors thesis written under the supervision of a member of the department faculty. The thesis must be a minimum of 10 pages, using the APA citation form, and of B+ quality or better.
• A maximum of two courses can overlap with a student’s major, other minor or program.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 18

This minor examines U.S. Latinx authors writing in English and focuses on the four major U.S. Latinx groups – Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican – as well as other significant U.S. Latinx populations – Colombian, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Salvadoran, and Guatemalan. While applying literary criticism and taking an interdisciplinary approach, which may also include the study of music, religion, politics, film, and the visual arts, this minor provides a well–rounded understanding of the cultural elements that contribute to U.S. Latinx Literature. In addition, this minor will enable students to develop the critical reading and writing skills essential for graduate study and careers in the law, education, public policy, writing, and government. Among the broad issues this minor will address include the following: diaspora; bilingual aesthetics; street literature; criminal and social justice; border narratives, citizenship, and the law; experiences of exile; Afro–Latinidad; Latina feminisms; queer identities; orality; and ethnicity.

Learning Outcomes. Students will:

• Explain and analyze Latinx literature and its role in expanding the American literary canon.
• Synthesize and incorporate dominant theoretical and historical perspectives on Latinx literature.
• Evaluate principal concepts in Latinx literature including identity, race, nationalism, diaspora, bilingualism, class, and gender.
• Analyze multiple ways Latinx literature addresses issues related to immigration, national borders, citizenship, crime, incarceration, law enforcement, and the justice system.
• Discuss Latinx cultural production, with an emphasis on literature, and an interdisciplinary awareness of film, music, and visual art.
• Read texts closely and critically through oral and written products and acquire writing competence in literary argumentation using textual evidence and critical sources.

Rationale. The minor will expose students to a dynamic body of literature that, for the past fifty years, has gained national prominence and international acclaim. Latinx writers, poets, essayists, journalists, and playwrights have won major literary awards including the Pulitzer Prize in literature, drama, and poetry. U.S. Latinx writers come from varying racial, cultural, and geographic locations. These diverse backgrounds give birth to a rich literature whose expressive range and sensibilities significantly enlarge the field of American literature. As with all literature classes, Latino literature classes will help develop student mastery of analytical reading, interpretation, and effective rhetorical skills. As one part of John Jay’s overall rigorous curriculum, the LatinxLiterature minor will help students develop effective written communication skills as well as formulate nuanced perspectives on cultural diversity that are necessary for success in personal and professional endeavors.

Credits required. 18

Minor coordinator. Professors Richard Perez, English Department, (646.557.4408, rperez@jjay.cuny.edu) and Belinda Rincon, English and Latin American and Latinx Studies Departments, (212.237.8750, brincon@jjay.cuny.edu)

Requirements. A maximum of two courses can overlap with a student’s major, other minor or program.

Additional information: Students who started the minor in September 2022 or after must follow the curriculum listed here. For students who enrolled prior to that date, please see the Undergraduate Bulletin 2021-2022 for the older curricular requirements.

PART ONE. Foundation Course

Select one

Advisor’s recommendation: LLS 143 is part of the Flexible Core: U.S. Experience in Its Diversity area and LIT 265 is part of the College Option: Justice Core I (200-level transfer seminar) areas of the College’s Gen Ed Program.

Subtotal: 3

PART TWO. 100- and 200-Level Electives

Select two courses

Advisor’s recommendation. These course fulfill the Individual and Society or the U.S. Experience in its Diversity areas of the Flexible Core in the Gen Ed program.

Subtotal: 6

PART THREE. 300- and 400-Level Electives

Select three courses

Subtotal: 9

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 18