{"id":8795,"date":"2026-02-09T15:57:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/?page_id=8795"},"modified":"2026-09-09T11:57:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T15:57:44","slug":"latin-american-and-latinx-studies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/latin-american-and-latinx-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"Latin American and Latinx Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-bates-office-dimp-association\"><div class=\"dimp-ctas dimp-floating-ctas\"><div class=\"wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-garnet-button with-arrow\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/latin-american-latinx-studies\">Visit the full Latin American and Latinx Studies site<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"is-style-academic-introduction wp-block-paragraph\">The program in Latin American and Latinx Studies offers critical perspectives through a variety of courses, including anthropology, environmental studies, gender and sexuality studies, Hispanic studies, history, politics, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.3%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our program weaves together multiple ways of understanding Latin America and its diasporas, including the many communities that existed before the United States, people who have immigrated to the United States from various parts of Latin America, and their descendants. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"contact-information\">\n<h5>Contact Us<\/h5>\n\t<p class=\"address\">Program in Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS)<br \/>\nMatt Von Vogt<br \/>\nPettengill Hall<br \/>\n<span class=\"phone-num\"> Phone: 207-786-8296\n<\/span><span class=\"address-email\"><a href=\"mailto:mvonvogt@bates.edu\">mvonvogt@bates.edu<\/a><\/span><\/p><div class=\"bates-contact-info-social-grid\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-dark-color has-text-color is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What You Will Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_A-900x300.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with chat bubbles, brain, and magnifying class\" class=\"wp-image-9759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_A-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_A-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_A-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_A-200x67.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_A.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to question assumptions and think critically<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_B.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with lightbulb, trifold with map marker, and people\" class=\"wp-image-9760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_B.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_B-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_B-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_B-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_B-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To engage thoughtfully with diverse communities<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_C.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with pie chart, chat bubbles, and open book\" class=\"wp-image-9761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_C.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_C-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_C-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_C-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_C-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How to hone a critical perspective on a variety of topics, including colonialism, language, and economics<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_D.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with desktop computer, stacked papers, and circuit\" class=\"wp-image-9762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_D.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_D-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_D-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_D-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_D-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To contribute to research projects with professors, working hand in hand to break new ground<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_E.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with people, presentation slide, and interlocking gears\" class=\"wp-image-9763\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_E.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_E-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_E-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_E-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_E-200x67.webp 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">To attend conferences and present your findings<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_F-900x300.webp\" alt=\"garnet iconography with people and globe\" class=\"wp-image-9764\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_F-900x300.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_F-400x133.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_F-768x256.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_F-200x67.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/03\/Latin-America_F.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How indigenous populations in the Americas and people from Europe, Africa, and Asia have interacted for more than half a millennium and how these interactions have shaped our current moment<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:400px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-8944 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/latinx_1.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Life After Bates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our graduates leave our program with important context about Latin America and its diasporas, which helps shape their work in a variety of fields, including social work, public health, and consulting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-garnet-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\">94%<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and\/or attending graduate school \u2014 settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:10%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\">Selected Places of Employment\/Service<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3\">\n<li>Gartner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First Republic Bank<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teach For America<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Front Line EMS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4\">Selected Graduate Schools<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5\">University of Miami Miller School of Medicine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boston University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harvard University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgetown University <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Simmons University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-gray-light-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-bates-slideshow2-slideshow swiper-effect-slide is-style-default\"><div class=\"slideshow-toolbar\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"js-open-fullscreen fullscreen-button\" title=\"View full screen\"><\/a><\/div><div id=\"slideshow4466\" class=\"swiper swiper-main has-pagination-progressbar\"><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor sits with their students during a class discussion in Roger Williams hall.\" data-id=\"8946\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/180914_Fra-Molinero_Spanish_0111.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/180914_Fra-Molinero_Spanish_0111-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/180914_Fra-Molinero_Spanish_0111-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A student shows their professor a graphic on their laptop during class in Roger Williams hall.\" data-id=\"8947\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/180914_Fra-Molinero_Spanish_0362.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/180914_Fra-Molinero_Spanish_0362-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/180914_Fra-Molinero_Spanish_0362-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor assists a student during a thesis meeting in Pettengill Hall.\" data-id=\"8948\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/200226_Clarisa_Perez_Amendariz_Thesis_Meetings_0212.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/200226_Clarisa_Perez_Amendariz_Thesis_Meetings_0212-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/200226_Clarisa_Perez_Amendariz_Thesis_Meetings_0212-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor holds a book titled A History of Women and Sports in Latin America.\" data-id=\"8949\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/210921_Campus_0143.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/210921_Campus_0143-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/210921_Campus_0143-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"During a two-week summer institute at Bates titled \u201cIdentity and Multilingualism through Picture Books,\u201d an individual places yellow decorative prints on a poster board.\" data-id=\"8950\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/220712_NEH_Summer_Institute_1217.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/220712_NEH_Summer_Institute_1217-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/220712_NEH_Summer_Institute_1217-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A professor and students from a Jewish Latin American film seminar engage in a Q&amp;A following a screening of \u201cTorah Tropical\u201d in Olin Arts Center.\" data-id=\"8951\" data-fullsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/250304_Torah_Tropical_Talkback_0094.webp\" data-regsrc=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/250304_Torah_Tropical_Talkback_0094-900x600.webp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/250304_Torah_Tropical_Talkback_0094-900x600.webp\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6\">Why Study Latin American and Latinx Studies at Bates?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our program provides an opportunity to understand the present tensions between the United States and different countries in Latin America, giving critical context to current events. Students have the chance to participate in off-campus study in Latin America or the Caribbean, allowing them to be truly immersed in what they\u2019ve been studying and gain new understanding about these cultures. LALS also provides opportunities for students seeking to deepen their connections to their Latin American and\/or Latinx heritage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-garnet-background-color has-text-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Featured Courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<aside class=\"course-teaser-wrap\">\n\t<div class=\"course-teasers _columns-3\" style=\"--displayColumns:3;\">\t<div class=\"course-teaser-course\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5 class=\"course-title\" title=\"HISP319-LALS319\">Latinx Poetry: To Translate<\/h5>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"course-description\">The course introduces students to the growing &#8220;presence&#8221; of Latinx poetry. It acquaints students with the interdisciplinary approaches used in translation, such&hellip;<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"course-teaser-course\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5 class=\"course-title\" title=\"AMST301X-HIST301X-LALS301X\">Histories of the US-Mexico Border<\/h5>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"course-description\">This course examines the origins and ongoing legacies of the US-Mexico border in order to complicate present-day discourses of the border as a space of crime an&hellip;<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"course-teaser-course\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<h5 class=\"course-title\" title=\"ENVR228-LALS228-PLTC228\">Latin America Debates Dependency and Development<\/h5>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"course-description\">The history of Latin American and Caribbean political development is also a history of how the region grappled with struggles for economic development and auton&hellip;<\/p>\n\t<\/div><\/aside><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-gray-light-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7\">Meet the Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">The LALS faculty studies across multiple disciplines and focus areas, weaving together the strands of their work to present students with a 360-degree view of a subject that takes all identities and spheres of life into account. Specialties include Maya fashion, borderlands history, the literature of Equatorial Guinea, colonial Mexico, politics, and film.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"is-style-grid bates-faculty-profiles-department-list \" style=\"--columnCount:3;--columnWidth:300px;\">\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Joyce N. Bennett\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2024\/08\/S8A0466-400x270.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-6572\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/joyce-n-bennett\">Joyce N. Bennett<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of Anthropology<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAnthropology <span class=\"chair-flag-inline\">Chair<\/span>, Latin American and Latinx Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Erik Bernardino\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2021\/07\/Erik-Portrait-232x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-4381\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/erik-bernardino\">Erik Bernardino<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Assistant Professor of History and Latin American and Latinx Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHistory, Latin American and Latinx Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Baltasar Fra-Molinero\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/Perfil-foto-bfm-236x300.png\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3347\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/baltasar-fra-molinero\">Baltasar Fra-Molinero<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of Hispanic Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHispanic Studies, Latin American and Latinx Studies <span class=\"chair-flag-inline\">Chair<\/span>, Africana\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Rafael Alexandre Mello\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2024\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-08-06-at-17.16.33-287x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-6221\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/rafael-alexandre-mello\">Rafael Alexandre Mello<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPolitics, Latin American and Latinx Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Karen Melvin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/K.-Melvin5-150x150.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-2178\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/karen-melvin\">Karen Melvin<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Thomas Hedley Reynolds Professor of History<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHistory, Latin American and Latinx Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Clarisa P\u00e9rez-Armend\u00e1riz\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2015\/08\/67781566689__122F6DD2-6F45-4583-A6C5-8175F00EE340-1-e1684898661457-250x300.webp\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-5420\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/clarisa-perez-armendariz\">Clarisa P\u00e9rez-Armend\u00e1riz<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Professor of Politics<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPolitics, Latin American and Latinx Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\t<div class=\"faculty-profile profile-row\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of Stephanie M. Pridgeon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/263\/files\/2016\/10\/190911_Portraits_1145-e1612733878290-315x300.jpg\" class=\"profile-image wp-image-3318\" \/>\n\t\t<h3 class=\"profile-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/faculty-profile\/stephanie-m-pridgeon\">Stephanie M. Pridgeon<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t<h4 class=\"profile-title\">Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies<\/h4>\n\t\t<div class=\"departmental-associations department-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHispanic Studies <span class=\"chair-flag-inline\">Chair<\/span>, Latin American and Latinx Studies\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-8945 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/02\/latinx_3.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style data-is=\"custom-styles\" class=\"wp-block-bates-page-specific-css-css\">.contact-information h5 {margin-top: 0; !important }<\/style>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-stories-wrap\" data-nosnippet>\n\t\t\t\t<h1>News &#038; Events<\/h1>\n\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"aside-stories news-updates is-style-grid\"><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/11\/05\/alisa-amador-18-on-how-bates-helped-her-build-a-career-as-a-singer-songwriter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/260924_Alisa_Amador_0772-400x267.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"A performance by Alisa Amador \u201918, presented by VCS at the Ben Mays Center on September 24, 2026. (Theophil Syslo | Bates College)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/260924_Alisa_Amador_0772-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/260924_Alisa_Amador_0772-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/260924_Alisa_Amador_0772-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/260924_Alisa_Amador_0772-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/260924_Alisa_Amador_0772.webp 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">November 5, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/11\/05\/alisa-amador-18-on-how-bates-helped-her-build-a-career-as-a-singer-songwriter\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlisa Amador \u201918 on how Bates helped her build a career as a &hellip;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">Singer-songwriter Alisa Amador \u201918 loves a liberal arts approach, and it didn\u2019t end for her when she graduated from Bates. \n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/11\/05\/bates-celebrates-halloween\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36-400x267.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"On October 29, 2026 Bates hosted the Lewiston community at a Trick or Treat event that sprawls across campus. Teams, clubs, groups, departments, and students host tables to hand out candy.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261029_Trick_Or_Treat-36.webp 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">November 5, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/11\/05\/bates-celebrates-halloween\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBates celebrates Halloween\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">How committed is Bates to the whole concept of Halloween? Extremely so. From preparations to the final celebrations, Halloween at Bates ran from Oct. 27-31. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><article class=\"aside-story\"><a class=\"aside-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/11\/05\/otis-lecture-focuses-on-wabanaki-resilience-and-erasure\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1-400x267.webp\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Otis Lecture focuses on Wabanaki resilience and erasure\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/174\/files\/2026\/11\/261102_Otis_Lecture_Bonnie_Newsom-6902-1-1.webp 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"aside-text-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"aside-date\">November 5, 2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"aside-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/2026\/11\/05\/otis-lecture-focuses-on-wabanaki-resilience-and-erasure\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOtis Lecture focuses on Wabanaki resilience and erasure\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"aside-text\">At the 29th annual Otis Lecture, Bonnie Newsom,\u00a0 gave a talk entitled \u201cHolding Ground: Wabanaki Archaeology as Resilience across Landscapes of Erasure.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/article><\/section><!-- .aside-stories -->\n\t\t\t<\/div><!--.aside-stories-wrap-->\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The program in Latin American and Latinx Studies offers critical perspectives through&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8943,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/dimp.php","meta":{"_hide_ai_chatbot":false,"_ai_chatbot_style":"","associated_faculty":[],"_Page_Specific_Css":"","_bates_restrict_mod":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_prepend":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_append":false,"_batesModPostContentOverride_append_before_footer":false,"bates_author_byline_override":"","_hide_page_title":false,"_header_override":"","_template_width_override":"wide","_dimp_site_id":"213","_dimp_override_contact":true,"_table_of_contents_display":false,"_table_of_contents_location":"","_table_of_contents_disableSticky":false,"_is_featured":false,"_sidebarChoice":"","wpai_meta_description":"","footnotes":"","_bates_seo_meta_description":"","_bates_seo_block_robots":false,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_id":0,"_bates_seo_sharing_image_twitter_id":0,"_bates_seo_share_title":"","_bates_seo_canonical_overwrite":"","_bates_seo_twitter_template":""},"class_list":["post-8795","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8795"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11078,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8795\/revisions\/11078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}