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The Department of Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies offers classes in the languages, literatures, and cultures of the Iberian Peninsula and the Americas.

LALIS Feature Stories

UR Student Published in VA Engage
Junior Rachel Ziemba discusses her experience taking a class called “Spanish in the Community.”
Robins student receives Civic Fellowship, interns with Alvin Ailey American Dance
She was accepted into the Ailey internship program for this past summer, and applied through the University of Richmond Civic Fellowship program for students hoping to intern with non-profits. She was the only business student selected for the fellowship.
Alum is first Spider to earn prestigious Latin American fellowship
When Spiders set their sights on something, chances are they’ll achieve it. Take Madison Sweitzer, '19, for example...
Emily Churchill Awarded Writing Consultant of the Year
Three faculty nominated the same student for different reasons. READ THE FULL STORY
Cassie Gilboy '19 wins The Jane Stockman Award
Cassie was recognized as a hard-working optimist who is an integral and critical part of Westhampton College
UR Professor Receives Grant to Study Latin American Magazines
Mariela Mendez, University of Richmond associate professor of Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, has been awarded a $20,000 collaborative grant from the Chilean National Commission on Scientific and Technological Investigation to research feminist contributions in Latin American and American magazines.
Learning as an Emancipatory Practice
Dr. Karina Vazquez expands student perspectives through community engagement.
Alexandra Harter, '18

Alexandra Harter, '18, graduated with a degree in History, and Spanish. Alexandra was a Museum Attendant with UR Museums between 2016-2018 and was a Research Assistant for Dr. Elizabeth Kissling during the spring 2018.

During the summer of 2018, Alexandra worked for the Department of Latin American, Latino & Iberian Studies and UR Museums curating a Spanish language Museo Ambulante for three different Spanish proficiency levels. The exhibit topic is "La familia/The Family," as represented in different paintings, photographs, and prints from the UR Museums collection. Alexandra created Spanish scripts for the tour and three sets of activities ranging from vocabulary learning to advanced writing. The Museo Ambulante "La familia" will be used by students enrolled in LAIS 301- Spanish in the Community for their semester long CBL Project, and by future UR students interested in delivering bilingual tours for UR Museums. At the same time, Alexandra applied her Spanish skills and Museum knowledge while working as a Docent at the Agecroft Hall and Gardens. She plans to attend graduate school to earn a MA in Museum Studies with a History focus.

Newark native and recent University of Richmond graduate awarded Fulbright to teach English in Mexico
Rocío Posada-Castañeda, daughter of José Posada and Veronica Castañeda of Newark, Delaware, has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.
Chesapeake native and recent University of Richmond graduate awarded Fulbright to teach English in Panama
Gabrielle Robinson, of Chesapeake, Virginia, who graduated from the University of Richmond May 13, has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.
University of Richmond hosts fundraising event for Puerto Rican artists impacted by Hurricane Maria
University of Richmond will host “Pa’lante Puerto Rico,” an educational opportunity for the Richmond community to learn about the history of Puerto Rico and a fundraiser supporting Puerto Rican artists impacted by Hurricane Maria. The event is April 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the courtyard of the Carole Weinstein International Center.
University of Richmond students to provide Spanish-guided tour of campus museum exhibition to local high school students
University of Richmond students will welcome 30 to 40 Tucker High School students who speak or are learning Spanish to campus next week for a Spanish-guided tour of the “Personal is Political” museum exhibition with art from the Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center.
Recent graduate awarded Fulbright grant to teach English in Brazil
Jacquelyn Pearlmutter, who graduated from the University of Richmond in May, has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant.
University of Richmond students curate bilingual exhibition on graphic novel 'Darkroom'
A student-curated bilingual exhibition depicting the graphic novel “Darkroom: A Memoir in Black & White” is now on view in the Carole Weinstein International Center Gallery.
La Casa Hispánica
New Spanish-speaking living-learning community offers students the opportunity to hone their language skills and immerse in Latin culture.

Faculty Highlights

  • Feldman receives two grants
    Feldman receives two grants

    Sharon G. Feldman, Professor of Spanish and Catalan Studies, received a grant from the Fundación SGAE to translate and adapt into English Un conte de Nadal (A Christmas Carol) and another from the Sala Beckett to translate Fairfly, an award-winning contemporary Catalan play by Joan Yago.
  • Feldman invited to conference
    Feldman invited to conference

    Professor of Spanish and Catalan Studies, Sharon G. Feldman, was one of only six theatre translators from several countries invited to attend the Segona Missió de Traductors de Teatre Català Contemporani, hosted by the Sala Beckett and the Institut Ramon Llull in Barcelona.
  • Mendez Published
    Mendez Published

    Mariela Méndez has received the 2019 Best Critical Monograph Award by the Association for Gender and Sexuality Studies for her book, Crónicas Travestis: The Transgressive Journalism of Alfonsina Storni, Clarice Lispector and María Moreno.
  • Méndez Book Awarded
    Méndez Book Awarded

    Dr. Mariela Méndez's book Crónicas travesties recently won the Premio Vicoria Urbano Award given by the Asociación de Estudios de Género y Sexualidades.
  • Méndez gave two talks in Brazil
    Méndez gave two talks in Brazil

    Dr. Mariela Méndez presented a seminar on “Discursive Transvestism” at Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Minas Gerais in Brazil. She also gave a talk, “Clarice in Fantástico: Performance and Materialities” at Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Brazil.
  • Mauney Certification
    Mauney Certification

    LALIS administrative coordinator Michele Mauney earned her certification as a Certified Administrative Professional.
  • Mendez Grant
    Mendez Grant

    LALIS professor Mariela Mendez has received a collaborative grant from the Chilean Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT) to further her research on the Brazilian press and on female contributions in Latin American and American magazines.
  • Feldman Translation Performed
    Feldman Translation Performed

    LALIS professor Sharon Feldman’s English translation of Liberto, an award-winning Catalan play by Gemma Brió, was given a professional staged reading in the performance space of the Instituto Cervantes in New York City. 
  • Kissling Studies
    Kissling Studies

    LALIS professor Elizabeth Kissling published research studies exploring the potential of cognitive linguistics for teaching Spanish prepositions in What is Applied Cognitive LInguistics? and exploring the methodological challenges of phonetics research in the highly variable population of Spanish heritage learners in the U.S. in the Heritage Language Journal.
  • Vazquez and Wright Article
    Vazquez and Wright Article

    LALIS professor Karina Vazquez and University Museums' Martha Wright published "Making Visible the Invisible: Social Justice and Inclusion through the Collaboration of Museus and Spanish Community-Based Learning Projects," in the Southern Conference on Language Teaching's journal Dimension.

Scholarship Repository Readership

The University of Richmond's Scholarship Repository shares faculty publications with a world-wide audience. The map below shows where articles from LALIS faculty are being read around the globe.

Videos

UR Learning Abroad: Gwen Setterberg,

UR Learning Abroad: Gwen Setterberg, '15

UR Learning Abroad: Gwen Setterberg, ’15 discusses her academic year in Brazil and how living abroad gave new meaning and understanding to the music she loves to perform.

Latin American and Iberian Studies: Práctica Oral

Latin American and Iberian Studies: Práctica Oral

In Práctica Oral, University of Richmond students learn Spanish through small group conversation. These interactive and fast-paced sessions are led by fellow undergraduate students who serve as assistant teachers.

Upcoming Events

There are no events currently scheduled.

SSIR Living on the Frontera, Trip to San Diego and Tijuana
Living on the Frontera: U.S./Mexico Border
Research Symposium
Study Abroad Scholarships
Service Learning
Placement Testing

Resources

Global Studio

Office of International Education

Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum

Office of Sustainability

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
 Department of Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies
University of Richmond
211 Richmond Way
Carole Weinstein International Center
University of Richmond, VA 23173

Phone: (804) 484-1543
Fax: (804) 484-1544

Department Chair: Angel Otero-Blanco
Administrative Coordinator: Michele Mauney
Director of Community-Based Learning: Karina Vazquez
Director of Spanish Intensive Language Program: Ted Peebles