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Latin American Studies Requirements

Requirements for the major

10 credits as follows:

  • Introduction to Latin American Politics: PS 122
  • Two of the following: SPAN 230B, SPAN 230C, SPAN 230D, SPAN 230E
  • Six electives on Latin American topics
    • At least two must be in History/Social Science
    • At least two must be 300 level
  • Senior Capstone: LAST 399 or LAST 400
  • Approved Abroad Experience
    • Must be approved in coordination with the student and Department Chair
    • At least a trimester in duration in a Latin American country

Requirements for the minor

5 credits as follows:

  • Two credits in Latin American History/ Social Science: AFST 260, ANSO 234, ANSO 237, HIST 263, PS 122,       PS 227, PS 231, PS 326, or PS 334
  • Two credits in Latin American Culture: LAST 221, LAST 230B-E, LAST 235, LAST 238, LAST 240, LAST 305, LAST 306, LAST 309, LAST 335, LAST 337
  • One additional course in Latin American Studies
    • At least one course should be at the 300 level
  • Demonstrated competence in Spanish
  • A project or paper in which the student analyzes some question in Latin American Studies. The project can be completed through:
    • an Honors project
    • an independent study (1 or 1/2 credit), or
    • approved course work(i.e., a paper or other project completed within a non-Latin American Studies course that addresses a Latin American topic)

Other courses on Latin American topics, such as those taken in a study abroad program, may also count toward the major and minor. Consult the Chair for approval.

The student is encouraged to consider basing the project or paper on research conducted during field work in Latin America (methods utilized in field work could include interviews, participant-observation, volunteer work, media analysis, photography, literary or artistic work). Field work can take place in the context of a formal program or informal travel. Alternatively, the project or paper can be based on library work. The choice of the project must be made in consultation with the chair of the Latin American Studies minor.