Learning Goals and Objectives
Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Bachelors
Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, a student will be able to do the following:
Goal I: Understand Latin American and Caribbean cultures through an appreciation for the diversity of Latin America and the Caribbean
Objectives:
- Explain the role of migration in the formation of Latin America and the Caribbean’s diverse cultures
- Compare and contrast the historical development of Latin America and the Caribbean
- Explain the economic forces impacting the Latin American and the Caribbean economies
- Critically analyze the Latino/a experience in terms of significant issues, theories, current problems, and solutions
Goal II: Conduct original research on a current important issue facing Latin America
Objectives:
- Incorporate ideas from sources and use them appropriately
- Develop a well-written thesis
- Analyze various viewpoints
- Support evidence applying historically-based and culturally-informed arguments as indicated by the instructor in each discipline covered by the program: history; politics; anthropology; literature/the arts
Goal III: Explain the main developments in Latin American history and culture, from the colonial period to the present
Objectives:
- Explain the main historical periods
- Analyze how political transformations shaped Latin America and the Caribbean
- Analyze the role of migration in Latin America and the US
- Explain the major belief-systems of Latin America and the Caribbean
Goal IV: Show competence in the artistic expressions of Latin America and the Caribbean
Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of at least one of the major artistic expressions of Latin America: music, film, visual art, performance art, and literature
- Demonstrate knowledge of Latin American and Caribbean art’s political and historical contexts
- Analyze the role of the arts in Latin American and Caribbean societies
Goal V: Demonstrate competence in Spanish
Objectives:
- Read works in Spanish for a research paper
- Read major works of literature in Spanish
- Write one brief essay in Spanish with correct punctuation, basic grammatical competence, and a basic conceptual grasp of the Spanish language
Puerto Rican Studies, Bachelors
Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Puerto Rican Studies, a student will be able to do the following:
Goal I: Understand Puerto Rican culture through simultaneous appreciation of its grounding in Latin America and the Caribbean and its relationship to the United States
Objectives:
- Explain the economic forces impacting the Puerto Rican economy from the colonial period to the present
- Critically analyze the main developments in Puerto Rican history
- Explain the development, different viewpoints, and current issues regarding Puerto Rico’s political status
- Show knowledge of the history, political life, and culture of the Puerto Rican communities in the United States
- Compare and contrast the Puerto Rican migratory experience to other migrant communities in the United States, using the critical concepts of race and identity
Goal II: Conduct original research on a current important issue facing Puerto Rico and its migrant communities in the United States
Objectives:
- Incorporate ideas from sources and use them appropriately
- Develop a well-written thesis
- Analyze various viewpoints
- Support evidence applying historically-based and culturally-informed arguments
Goal III: Show competence in the artistic expressions of Puerto Rico and its migrant communities to the United States
Objectives:
- Show competence in at least one of the major artistic expressions of Puerto Rico: music, film, visual art, performance art, and literature
- Demonstrate knowledge of Puerto Rican art’s historical, social, and political contexts
- Analyze the role of the arts in Puerto Rican society and in the United States
Last modified: Nov 1, 2012
