Institute for Latino Studies

Assistant Provost and Director
:
    Gilberto Cardenas
    Dept. Tel. (574) 631-4440

The Institute for Latino Studies (ILS) was established in 1999 to advance teaching and research on the Latino population from both an interdisciplinary and comparative approach. Beginning the fall 2004, students may pursue a minor in Latino studies in conjunction with any undergraduate major. The institute offers courses cross-listed with departments in a wide range of areas. Following the path of Julian Samora (1920–96), esteemed Notre Dame professor of sociology from 1958 to 985, the institute contributes to the teaching, research, and service mission of the University. The institute’s primary aim is to further the understanding of the history, culture, literature, and socio-political position of Latinos in the United States. In recognition of the strong Catholic foundation of the Latino community, and the rich Catholic heritage of Notre Dame, the ILS provides academic and service programs that promote a greater awareness of Latino religious life.


The institute’s facilities include the Galería América@ND for exhibitions and special programs focusing on Latino art, while the Julián Samora Library provides students, faculty, and visitors with a scholarly and visitor-friendly environment for study and reflection. The ILS also houses the headquarters of the Inter-University Program for Latino Research, a nationwide consortium of 16 university-based Latino research centers.

Course Descriptions. The following course descriptions give the number and title of each course. Lecture hours per week and semester credit hours are in parentheses. The University reserves the right to withdraw any course without sufficient registration.

ILS 40601. Psychology of Race
(cross-listed with AFAM AFST 43701, PSY 43348)
3 credits, Pope-Davis, Brooks. (5-0-3)
1:15–3:45 T,R 6/17–7/31
CRN 3379;  ID # ILS 40601 01
Last “add” date: 6/22
“Drop” dates:  refund, 6/26;  last, 7/10
The purpose of this course is to examine the psychological aspects of racial and ethnic identity development in the United States. This course will look at the general ideas of identity development from a psychological basis as well as the personal identities of American groups. The main course objectives are to increase students’ cultural awareness of their own and others’ racial and ethnic identities; to develop relevant knowledge of about identity constructs in understanding different populations; and to develop critical thinking skills in studying and evaluating research on the role of racial and ethnic identity development in psychological processes and human behavior.