Latin American
and Iberian
Studies
An Interdivisional Concentration at Bard
Overview
The Latin American and Iberian Studies (LAIS) concentration incorporates such diverse
disciplines as literature, political studies, anthropology, history, economics, art history,
and dance. It provides an academic setting for the study of
two regions inextricably bound
by historical, cultural, linguis- Stone Row, originally built in the late 1800s, houses
dormitories, faculty offices and classrooms.
tic, economic, and political
ties. LAIS students emerge
with the linguistic and analytical preparation necessary to
understand the literatures and
cultures of Latin American and
Iberian countries; the history
of Latin America in the preColumbian, colonial, and national periods; the formation of
social and economic structures
throughout the Hispanic
world; the history and ethnogThe Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts is
home to the school’s Dance and Theater programs.
raphy of Mesoamerica and the
Andes; contemporary Latin
American and Iberian politics;
and the Hispanic experience in
the United States.
quired LAIS courses should be
taken outside the student’s
primary division. Students
must also complete the Senior
Project, which must have a
geographical, linguistic, or
conceptual link with Latin
America, Spain, or Portugal.
Courses
Core LAIS courses include
Spanish 301, Introduction to
Spanish Literature, or Spanish 302, Introduction to Hispanic Literature; Political
Studies 253, Introduction to
Latin American Politics; Art
History 160, Survey of Latin
American Art; LAIS 110, Latin
American History: From Discovery to Modern NationStates; and LAIS 203, Latin
American Nations: Emergence
and Distinctive Trajectories.
Additionally, recent electives
include: Religious Imagery in
Latin American Art; Crossroads of Civilization: The Art
and Architecture of Medieval
Spain; El Greco to Goya:
Spanish Art and Architecture;
Requirements
Spanish Literary Translation;
Cervantes’ Don Quijote; The
Students may moderate into
Hispanic Presence in the
LAIS, but they must also modUnited States; Testimonies of
erate into a primary divisional
Latin America: Perspectives
program. Prior to or concurfrom the Margins; Between
rent with Moderation, students
are required to take at least two The 69,000-square foot Reem-Kayden Center for Science the Acts: Spain’s Teatro
and Computation opened in 2007.
Breve; Latin American Surredesignated LAIS core courses.
alism; Populism and Popular
After Moderation, students are
expected to take two additional elective courses and Culture in Latin America; Promoting Democracy
Abroad, United States–Latin America Relations;
one 300-level seminar; these courses may be listed
primarily in another discipline and cross-listed with and Gender and Sexuality in Brazil.
LAIS. At least one and preferably two of the five reWebsite: http://lais.bard.edu
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