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Year of Latin America & the Caribbean (2015-2016)

Year of Latin Amarica

Purpose

Ramapo College of New Jersey launched a Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Internationalization beginning in Fall 2015. In addition to specific targets within the plan, each academic year will also have a specific region of focus. Through these regional foci, our goal is to increase global awareness and the multitude of opportunities and initiatives the College is involved. Below, you will find specific details about some of these initiatives, plus an extensive calendar of events.

Opportunities for Students

Study Abroad Opportunities in Latin America 

Featured Study Abroad Program in Latin America: Peru – International Business Experience
led by Ramapo Professor Gladys Torres-Baumgarten / 4 credits / Summer 2016 / Deadline: March 1, 2016

Study Abroad Scholarship for Latin America (other scholarships can be found here: https://www.ramapo.edu/study-abroad/scholarships/)

Spring 2016 Course options with a focus on Latin America: Crossing Borders (ANTH314), Art of Reading (SPAN303), Early Transatlantic Encounters (SPAN404), Music in Latin America (MUSI203), Colonial Latin America (HIST282), Nueva York Latino (SPAN330), & Survey of Latin American Literature (LITR275). You may also view the 2015-2016 course catalog for Latin American Studies.

HAPPY HOURS: Learn or practice PORTUGUESE (Tuesdays, 3-4pm, ASB-123) or SPANISH (Wednesdays, 3-4pm, A-101) through casual conversations with other students.

The following is a list of student clubs of potential interest: catalog

Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA)

Culture Club

Diversity Action Committee Student Club

International Student Organization (ISO)

Organization of Latino Unity 

Spanish Club

Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA)

Opportunities for Faculty

Grants were made available to support Faculty initiatives during AY15-16 to support the Year of Latin America. 15 grants of up to $2,000 were available to full-time faculty for travel to or related to Latin America. The following criteria and procedures were applied in distributing these funds:

  1. Proposals will be vetted by the dean, recommended by Deans’ Council,  and funded by the Provost;
  2. Proposals will be reviewed by Deans’ Council on a rolling basis;
  3. Proposals may involve scholarship, teaching and learning, or service/civic engagement in and/or involving Latin America;
  4. Proposals should be submitted to the dean on the Travel Request form with an agenda or a narrative attached;
  5. An end of the year reception will be held for grant awardees at which time awardees will  report out on their funded work related to Latin America.

The following faculty have been provided a 2015-2016 Grant for Engagement in the Latin American & Caribbean regions:

Travel Grants for the Year of Latin American and Caribbean Regions
Professor School Countr(ies) Grant Activity
Rikki Abzug ASB Costa Rica “Ecotourism, Social Entrepreneurship, and Marketing across the Sectors in Costa Rica: Informing Pedagogy, Advancing Research and Establishing Relationships”
Marta Bautis CA Cuba Filming for a Documentary Film – “Between a Tango and a Danzón”
Niza Fabre HGS Brazil

“The Supernatural in Dreaming in Cuban,” 15th Internacional Conference in Caribbean Literature

Eric Karlin TAS Chile Travel to give a talk at the VIII Southern Connections Congresss 2016
Iraida Lopez HGS Cuba Presentation at the International Colloquium “Mas allá de los bordes y las fronteras: transnacionalismo y creación”
Lisa Lutter CA Cuba
Edna Negron CA Cuba “Contemporary Cuba Transformations: Social Inequalities and Social Policy” – Faculty Development Seminar sponsored by CIEE
Ed Petkus ASB Costa Rica “Ecotourism, Social Entrepreneurship, and Marketing across the Sectors in Costa Rica: Informing Pedagogy, Advancing Research and Establishing Relationships”
Gladys Torres-Baumgarten ASB Cuba Faculty Development Workshop, sponsored by COPLAC

Site visits

organized visits in either groups or as an individual, to partner institutions with subsidized expenses. The following links below provide you with details on available group visits and how to apply. 

International Studies Abroad
CIEE
SIT Study Abroad

*If Faculty are interested in visiting any of our overseas partners, please contact the Roukema Center for International Education and the Director can help coordinate this for you.

Faculty Development Seminars

faculty-only seminars on specific topics held overseas

CIEE – http://www.ciee.org/international-faculty-development-seminars/seminars/
Options available in Latin America: Brazil, Peru, & Cuba

Book Club

The George T. Potter Library will be hosting a book club with a focus on Latin@s and Latin America.

Fall Semester Book:  Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Books will be provided to the first 15 individuals who sign up. This group is open to faculty, staff and students. First priority of books will go to students. Please contact Katie Maricic Cohen(kcohen1@ramapo.edu) or Sam Wittenberg (switten1@ramapo.edu) with questions or to sign up. This program has been supported by the Center for Student Involvement & the Roukema Center for International Education. Discussion group will meet monthly from 12:05-12:50pm in A220 on the following dates: 10/6, 11/3 & 12/8.

Spring Semester Book: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Díaz

Books will be provided to the first 15 individuals who sign up. This group is open to faculty, staff and students. First priority of books will go to students. Please contact Katie Maricic Cohen(kcohen1@ramapo.edu) or Sam Wittenberg (switten1@ramapo.edu) with questions or to sign up. This program has been supported by the Center for Student Involvement & the Roukema Center for International Education. Discussion group will once a month starting in February. Discussion group will meet monthly from 1:00-1:50pm in Potter Library Reading Lounge on the following dates: 2/08, 3/7 & 4/11.

Calendar of Events

Sep. 02
12:45 pm - 03:45 pm

Come learn about the different study abroad opportunities available!
Rain Site: Friends Hall

Sep. 16
03:00 pm - 03:30 pm

[The ARCH]. Join Ramapo College in making an official opening to Latin@ Heritage Month (mid-September to mid-October). Remarks will be made by senior Ramapo officials. Brazilian Percussion will also be performed.

Sep. 23
12:30 pm - 02:00 pm

[J. Lee's]. Join us for an exploration of Latin America through time, while enjoying coffee and snacks from Latin America.

Sep. 29
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[SC-158]. Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Costa Rica.

Sep. 30
04:00 pm - 06:00 pm

[Pavilion 1 & 2]. Ramapo College will be celebrating Latin America all year with activities, workshops, performances, excursions and much more. Join us for some brief presentations, some delicious food and live performances.

October 2015
Oct. 01
09:00 pm - 11:00 pm

[J.Lee's]. Enjoy an evening of learning and celebrating traditional Mexican culture.

Oct. 06
12:05 pm - 12:50 pm

[A220]. Fall Semester book: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Books will be provided to the first 15 individuals who sign up. This group is open to faculty, staff and students. First priority of books will go to students. Please contact Katie Maricic Cohen(kcohen1@ramapo.edu) or Sam Wittenberg (switten1@ramapo.edu) with questions or to sign up.

Oct. 08
08:00 pm - 10:00 pm

[Pavilion] Join the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Trustees Pavilion for a conversation on how the Latin@ community is playing a major role in the growth of the United States and how they have evolved from their early migration in the 1900s to today. For information, email dherrera@ramapo.edi

Oct. 13
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[SC-158]. Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Brazil.

Oct. 14
12:30 pm - 01:30 pm

[Student Center Stairs]. Enjoy some Latin American Anojitos (typical fast food or 'street food').

Oct. 14
04:45 pm - 05:45 pm

[Alumni Lounges]. Educational program to discuss different Latin dialects and how different Hispanic countries communicate and talking about living a bicultural lifestyle.

Oct. 15
09:00 pm - 10:00 pm

[J.Lee's]. Annual contest where words are given to a contestant in Spanish and they must spell it correctly to move on.

Oct. 18
01:30 pm - 06:30 pm

[Red Bull Arena]. Buses will leave Bradley Center at 1:30pm. Game is at 3pm. Should end around 5pm. Everyone should meet up around 5:30pm outside the stadium after the game. Tickets started to be sold at Roadrunner central for $10. This includes entry, a gift and a $5 meal voucher. Limited tickets available.

Oct. 19
October 19, 12:00 am -- January 01, 12:00 am
Oct. 20
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[Student Center Stairs]. Try different sweets, treats, and desserts from all over Latin America.

Oct. 20
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Oct. 20
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[SC219-Friends Hall]. Cuban dance rhythms reflect a mix of styles including Son, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha and Rumba. These rhythmic dance styles are the foundation of Rueda de Casino, a circle dance in which a leader calls out different movements or steps. The dance
became popular in Cuba's casinos during the 1950s. Since the 1980s, rueda has been experiencing world-wide resurgence with the rise of timba, a Cuban-style salsa. Los Van Van, one of the most popular bands in Cuba, especially made this genre popular.Multimedia presentation by Professor Edna Negron. Sponsored by the Culture Club. Light Refreshments provided.

Oct. 20
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Learn how to cook empanadas this afternoon with Ben Levy. Hosted by RCIE.

Oct. 20
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Bom dia! (Good morning!)

The Roukema Center is hosting Portuguese Happy Hour today from 3-4PM. If you'd like to learn more about the language and culture through fun games and activities, we'll be at ASB-123 every Tuesday. Até breve! (See you soon!)

Hosted by RCIE.

Oct. 20
07:00 pm - 08:00 pm

[J. Lee's]. Play Latin@ board games, card games, etc. that most young latin@s play when growing up

Oct. 21
03:00 pm - 04:00 pm

[A-101]

Hosted by RCIE.

Oct. 21
04:30 pm - 06:00 pm

[Friends Hall]. Join us for a presentation and discussion on the Peace Corps in Latin America. Hear from previous volunteers who served in the region. A light reception will follow.

Oct. 21
07:00 pm - 08:00 pm

[Alumni Lounges]. Latin@ alumni from RCNJ discuss their struggles, issues and accomplishments post-graduation

Oct. 22
08:00 pm - 09:00 pm

[B218]. Educated discussion about today's technical terms for describing people of Latin American descent.

Oct. 23
09:00 am - 11:00 am

[ASB-123]

Hosted by RCIE.

Oct. 23
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Hosted by RCIE.

Oct. 26
03:15 pm - 05:05 pm

[ASB219] Cuban writer, María Elena Llna, will present in the Hispanic
Caribbean Literature class. Llana is a journalist and short story writer. Her presentation will be in Spanish.

Oct. 27
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[Friends Hall]. Dynamic and multimedia presentation of the Amazon Region by Professor Eric Wiener (Ramapo College). Co-sponsored by the Culture Club and the Roukema Center for International Education. Light refreshments will be provided.

Oct. 27
07:00 pm - 08:00 pm

[B226]. Educational discussion on how, where and why Latin fraternities started, developed and grew to where they are now and how they include everyone now.

Oct. 28
02:00 pm - 03:00 pm

This week the Buddy Program is hosting a Culture Corner in the Roukema Center (ASB-123) on Wednesday, October 28, from 2:00-3:00pm. Come join us for cider and donuts and enjoy cultural conversations with other buddies!

Oct. 28
08:00 pm - 09:30 pm

[Laurel Screening Room]. View a popular documentary on some history of Colombia's most infamous that have different backgrounds and stories, yet unrelated to each other.

Oct. 29
06:00 pm - 07:30 pm

[SC156 & SC157]. A dynamic slideshow and discussion by Eric Wiener (Ramapo College) and Jim Penn (Grand Valley State University and The Rainforest Conservation Fund), based on their experiences working with countless campesinos, Amazonian college students and environmental professionals in Amazonian regions of Peru and Brazil for over 25 years.

Sponsored by the Roukema Center for International Education and the Master’s Program in Sustainability Studies

Oct. 29
08:00 pm - 09:30 pm

[Friends Hall]. Beauty pageant where contestants compete while showcasing a different Latin American country

November 2015
Nov. 02
12:00 pm - 01:30 pm

[Fishbowl] Come celebrate the Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead. Decorate your own skulls, paper cut outs and much more.

Nov. 03
12:05 pm - 12:50 pm

[A220]. Fall Semester book: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Books will be provided to the first 15 individuals who sign up. This group is open to faculty, staff and students. First priority of books will go to students. Please contact Katie Maricic Cohen(kcohen1@ramapo.edu) or Sam Wittenberg (switten1@ramapo.edu) with questions or to sign up.

Nov. 10
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[B226]. Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Chile.

Nov. 16
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[ASB-230] Come speak to Professor Torres-Baumgarten about this exciting summer study abroad program to Peru. Ask questions and learn how to apply. Scholarships are available. More info on the program can be found at: https://ramapo.studioabroad.com/?go=LatAmBusiness

Nov. 16
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[Student ctr, Stairs]. Come learn about the Ramapo College Study Abroad program in Peru for Summer 2016. More info on the program can be found here: https://ramapo.studioabroad.com/?go=LatAmBusiness

Nov. 17
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

[ASB230]. Puerto Rico cannot pay its bills. It owes $72 billion dollars and the Obama Administration so far has said that it will not bail out the island, which has been a colony since 1898. The result is an economic decline that is forcing Puerto Ricans out of the island to places like Orlando, Fla. Why should we care? Discussion by Professor Edna Negron.

Nov. 18
12:30 pm - 01:00 pm

[A-218]. Come learn about the many opportunities to learn Spanish language and literature at Ramapo College. Hear from professors and previous students.

December 2015
Dec. 14
07:00 pm - 09:00 pm

[Friends Hall]. Hear the sounds of Brazil. In this performance, Ramapo’s very own Brazilian Percussion Ensemble will provide the audience with a diverse selection of beats, utilizing the many instruments of Brazilian music. For more details contact Professor Marc Gidal (mgidal@ramapo.edu). Sponsored by the Ramapo College Music Program. FREE Admission

Dec. 16
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[D215]. Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Argentina.

January 2016
Jan. 27
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[D215] Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Colombia.

February 2016
Feb. 08
01:00 pm - 01:50 pm

[Potter Library Reading Lounge]. Book Club: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Discuss chapters 1-3

Feb. 10
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB230] Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Peru.

Feb. 11
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Feb. 18
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Feb. 25
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Feb. 25
04:00 pm - 06:00 pm

[Laurel Hall Screening Room]. Professor Natalia Santamaria Laorden will present and discuss ‘Even the Rain’ (USA, 2010) directed by Iciar Bollain. Bolivian film extras launch a protest against privatization of their water supply, which parallels the Spanish conquest and exploitation of the New World.

March 2016
Mar. 03
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Mar. 07
01:00 pm - 01:50 pm

[Potter Library Reading Lounge]. Book Club: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Discuss chapters 4 – 5

Mar. 09
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB230] We take a closer look at the case of Vila Autódromo, a community on the edge of the Olympic Park.

Mar. 10
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Mar. 21
11:00 am - 12:40 pm

[Friends Hall]. 11 am – 12:40 pm (Friend’s Hall): Demonstration of batá drumming of Santeria and conga drumming of rumba for the classes “Music in Latin America,” “Early Transatlantic Encounters,” and “Newswriting.” A dancer may join, too. Professors Negron and Santamaria will translate for Díaz.

o 40 minutes: Among Afro-diasporic religions, music of the batá drums is probably the most complex. The African-derived Cuban religion of Santeria uses an ensemble of three drummers to accompany sung-prayers to the divinities (orixás). Unlike other Afro-Latin religions, the different sized, double-headed, hourglass-shaped batá drums provide six distinct pitches, and the rhythmic patterns for each drum create polyrhythmic grooves. The drums are said to be conversing with each other as they also assist the prayers to call the orixás and cue trained spirit-mediums. Díaz and his accompanists will demonstrate the batá drum language and speak to its ceremonial contributions, as well as answer questions about Santeria, in which he is a religious leader.

o 40 minutes: Cuban rumba is a community dance-music tradition originating in Afro-Cuban neighborhoods, where people gathered on Sundays and holidays to sing, drum, flirt through dance, and socialize. An ensemble of two or more conga drums along with hand percussion accompanied songs as dancers moved in couples or as soloists. The lead conga drum interacts with the dancers while coordinating the other percussionists. Díaz will explain and demonstrate these duties and practices, helping students improve their basic ability to play congas and other Cuban percussion, which they will have learned in previous class meetings.

o 20 minutes: Q&A

Mar. 21
12:30 pm - 01:30 pm

[Alumni Lounges]. Join the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA) on Monday, March 21 at 12:45 p.m. in the Alumni Lounges. They will be hosting a discussion on the “Latinx, pronounced “La-teen-ex,” about the people of Latin America whose gender identities fluctuate along different points of the spectrum, from a gender or nonbinary to gender non-conforming, genderqueer and gender fluid. The discussion will be led by Raquel Reichard, Politics and Culture Editor for Latina Magazine, who received her master’s in Race and New Media from NYU. For more information, email dherrera@ramapo.edu

Mar. 21
02:00 pm - 03:40 pm

[B-225]. Conversation in Spanish about Diaz’s life and work as a religious leader (babalao) of Santeria and professional musician in contemporary New York for the course “Nueva York Latino.” The conversation will contribute to the course’s goal to examine “Hispanic influence in the multiple sites–in media, popular culture, literature, politics, and the arts–where Latinidad, a discursive category, finds concrete expressions.”

Mar. 23
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB230]. Explore international opportunities to study in Cuba.

Mar. 24
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Mar. 28
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[SC-156] The Culture Club Invites all to an audiovisual presentation on Costa Rica by Andrew Herrera, president of the Culture Club. Andrew will share his experiences on his Costa Rica Trip. Become familiar with the culture of the country: the excursions, the exotic plants and animals, the food, the people and the language. The event will be on Monday, March 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. in SC-156. Food and refreshments will be provided. Contact person: Austin Lasko at alasko@ramapo.edu

Mar. 31
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

April 2016
Apr. 04
11:00 am - 12:30 pm

[BC-301]. Performance and discussion of improvisation and interaction in Brazilian music for the class “Music in Latin America.” Assad will perform and discuss with students her music which combines popular songs of Brazil with jazz. Her virtuosity and inventiveness will stun students, while the demonstrations and explanations of their material will help students understand both the Brazilian genres and how contemporary musicians interpret them.

Apr. 04
02:00 pm - 03:40 pm

[BC-301]. Voxploration and recordings with Assad for the course “Music, Technology, and Media.” First, Assad will lead a workshop in group singing using a pedagogical method and repertoire she has developed intended to include students of different abilities and experience singing. Second, Assad, who is an accomplished composer, performer, and recording artist, will play a track from her latest recording in which she mixed tracks recorded by many people in different places and times; she can tell them about her production techniques. Prof. Gidal will remain with Assad in the class.

Apr. 04
07:00 pm - 08:40 pm

[H-129]. Brazilian Percussion Ensemble rehearsal with Assad. Students will benefit from playing with Assad on piano and vocals, and the instructor Amarildo Costa on percussion. We will pause the music for a Q&A with students.

Apr. 06
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB230] Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Ecuador.

Apr. 06
03:00 pm - 05:30 pm

[Alumni Lounges]. The Q&A event led by Prof. Eric Castellanos and Prof. Natalia Santamaria-larordenn will discuss new books by Professor John Gronbeck Tedesco (“Cuba, the United States, and Cultures of the Transnational Left, 1930-1975″) and Professor Iraida Lopez (“Impossible Returns: Narratives of the Cuban Diaspora”).

Apr. 07
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Apr. 11
11:00 am - 01:00 pm

[H-Wing Auditorium] Premiere Film Screening – Tango: A “New” Language (A documentary by Marta N. Bautís)

An exploration of the work of several artists in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that use tango as a tool for social awareness.

Performances and Musicians: Maurizio Najt, piano,and Rodolfo Zanetti, bandoneon
Tango Dancers: Sandra Antoniasi and Walter Pérez

For more information: Marta N. Bautís, mbautis@ramapo.edu

Apr. 11
01:00 pm - 01:50 pm

[Potter Library Reading Lounge]. Book Club: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Discuss chapters 6 – 8

Apr. 11
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[SC-219] Cultural Club invites you to a Multicultural Exhibit on Monday, April 11, 1-2pm, SC-219. Food and refreshments will be served.

Apr. 14
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Apr. 20
12:00 pm - 03:00 pm
Apr. 20
03:00 pm - 04:30 pm

[Friends Hall] In honor of Ramapo College’s Year of Latin America, this event will bring alumni an employers to talk with students about careers in and related to Latin America. This is a great opportunity to learn about employers and opportunities in the region and ask questions.

Apr. 21
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

Apr. 25
04:00 pm - 05:30 pm

[SC-156]. Linda Farthing, a writer and educator with 25 years experience in Latin America as a study abroad director, film field producer and journalist/independent scholar, will deliver a talk called “Evo’s Bolivia: Continuity and Change.” The talk, Evo’s Bolivia: Continuity and Change, explores the changes underway in one of South America’s lowest income countries, landlocked Bolivia. Since 2006, the western hemisphere’s first contemporary indigenous president, Evo Morales, has led a government committed to favoring indigenous people and the poor. The talk provides a balanced assessment of the nine years of the Morales government. Along with an accompanying powerpoint, it has been presented at 10 universities, including Cornell, UC Berkeley, University of London and Bucknell.

Apr. 28
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[ASB-123]

May 2016
May. 04
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

[TBD] Explore international opportunities (study, work, volunteer) in Dominican Republic.


For more information, please contact the Roukema Center for International Education in ASB-123, by calling x7533 or e-mailing international@ramapo.edu.