Each student in the program will be required to take the following two courses (students who have already completed one or both will need to arrange a special studies 49 course for 3 units credit).

HIST 8.1: History of Latin America to 1830 – 3 units, CSU/UC transferable, taught by Laura Larqué   

 

 

I was born and raised in Mexico City, I call it the “Jungle of Cement”. Therefore, Spanish is my first language. Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and I came to love it because it is very cosmopolitan, multicultural, and has many attractions—especially museums—and I love museums. In fact, Mexico City is the oldest city in all the American continent.

I attended the University of Mexico, and obtained a BA in Sociology. Shortly after I received my degree, I lived in El Salvador for one year. Then I moved to the United States.

I came directly to Santa Rosa, California and studied nutrition, but my heart was not in taking care of people with health problems. My heart has always been in the history, culture, and social changes in Latin America.

In fact, I love Latin America so much that I have traveled throughout the Caribbean, all of Central America, Peru, and of course, all of Mexico.

I obtained a MA in History at Sonoma State University and began teaching U.S., Latin America, Mexico, and Chicanx history since 1997. My true love, passion, and dedication has been the history of Latin America, Mexico, and the U.S.

In addition to being a historian, I consider myself a cultural worker. I have spent many decades studying the history, culture, and peoples of Latin America. The American continent is the most amazing continent! The history of the Native American civilizations and the subsequent colonial period gave way to an amalgamation of many histories, cultures, ethnicities—and new races—that formed modern Latin America with much remembrance of the ancestors.

Learning and teaching the history of the Native American civilizations has been a beautiful academic path for me. I have also been fascinated by the colonial period and the wars of independence in each of the Latin American countries. Many of these countries have faced social revolutions; some have been successful, while some have not.

I hope you join me in discovering the history, culture, people, and the beautiful landscapes of Peru.

Vámonos A Peru!

HIST 8.1 Class Description

The class I will be teaching in Cuzco, Peru in the summer of 2025 is HIST 8.1: Latin American History from Native American Civilizations to the wars of Independence. This class has historically been one of my favorites because we delve into the magnificent Indigenous civilizations of Mexico and Latin America. And what better way to learn about the ancestors than right in the heart of the Inca Empire.

My colleague, Spanish Instructor Noelina Gomez, and I are preparing the most wonderful program for you. It will be unforgettable for you. It will be interactive, informative, and we will have field trips to many areas in relation to HIST 8.1 and SPAN 50.

Since we are both native from Mexico and Peru respectively, we understand the language, culture, traditions, and places to visit. You will be immersed into the culture of Peru as if you were from there.

Every town, site, and city we visit will be a very fulfilling cultural and historical experience for you. You will not be confined to a classroom learning about the ancestors in theory. On the contrary, you will be able to walk the paths many of the South American civilizations walked, taste their food, speak their language, and converse with people of all ethnic backgrounds.

Some of the ancient sites are so amazing, sacred, and rich in the ancestors’ knowledge of the Universe, the Earth, and their many accomplishments. When I visited Machu Picchu, I felt I had left this realm and entered the realm of the Inca people. I truly hope you will experience similar feelings as we did when we traveled throughout all of Peru. You will have a true learning experience by immersing yourself in the culture and history of Latin America.

SPAN. 50A: Spanish Conversation for Beginners – 3 units/CSU transferable, taught by Noelina Gomez

 

 

 

I’m Noelina Gomez, a native from Perú and I migrated to Santa Rosa, California in 2009 with my family. As soon as I moved to Santa Rosa, I was enrolled in the ESL program at SRJC to learn English, as I didn’t speak the language upon my arrival. In the ESL program, I fell in love with language and all the aspects that involve learning a new language. I promised myself that one day I would be teaching my native language, Spanish, and I accomplished my objective, and have become a Spanish professor.  

As a bilingual, bicultural instructor with several years of teaching experience and a solid educational background, I am so excited to teach my native language, which has been a rewarding experience.  

Together with my colleague, historian Laura Larque, I will be teaching Spanish 50 to you. We will take you to many places in Peru so you will be able to experience the daily life of the Peruvian people. These two courses will enable you to immerse yourself in the history and language of Perú. We will have numerous activities, field trips, and we will take you to taste the most authentic Peruvian food while engaging in cultural activities.  

SPAN 50A Class Description

This is a conversational class designed to develop listening and speaking skills to communicate in the workplace or within the community. In this study abroad program, you will be immersed in authentic and meaningful ways of activities with natives of Cuzco to practice day-to-day  conversations and be exposed to the cultural aspects of the language and the culture of the Peruvian people.