Undergraduate Major and Minor

This interdisciplinary major and minor offers excellent preparation for international business, law, banking, work in philanthropy, economic development, the environment, government service, education, health care, journalism, and graduate study.

Latin American Studies serves students interested in the history, culture and society of Latin America. Majors often combine their studies with concentrations in other departments or schools.

Some important components of this program go beyond the classroom. The program sponsors speakers on academic and career-related themes, field trips, and an end of the year event. Students are advised (but not required) to spend at least one semester abroad.

Sample courses:

Democracy and Globalization in Latin America (INS 360) - This course explores the global connections of Latin American politics including democratization and human rights. Issues are explored in a general sense then concentrated on four countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.

Andean Art (ARH 241) – This course encompasses the study of art from Central and South America from the Valdivia culture of Ecuador (ca. 3000 B.C.) to the Inca Empire and the Spanish conquest (A.D. 1532).

The History of Travel and Tourism in the Americas (HIS 591/AMS 401) - This seminar-style course traces the roles travel and tourism have played in shaping the economic, social, political, and cultural history of the Americas. A wide range of texts are examined that highlight the ways travel and tourism have exposed people to new cultures, landscapes, and customs, but also have led to ethnic and racial tension, political and economic domination, and the co-modification of cultural traditions. How the study of travel and tourism can contribute to our understanding of otherness, national identity, freedom, exoticism, and environmental awareness is examined.

MAJOR in Latin American Studies
BA or BS degree requirements (36 credits)

• First year seminar in Latin American Studies (3 credits)
• Language competency (6 credits)
  • 212 level or higher in French, Spanish, or Portuguese
  • And 105 (or equivalent) in a language other than the one used to satisfy the above requirement (or in an indigenous language of Latin America, with approval of the Program Director)
• LAS 301 Gateway Course in Latin American Studies (3 credits)
• 6 credits in Latin American History
• 5 courses in classes listed in LAS or cross-listed with LAS, 12 credits of which must be completed at the 300-level or higher (15 credits)
• Senior Seminar or Independent Study (3 credits)
  • LAS 494 Independent Study in Latin American Studies - culminates in a project on a Latin American subject carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. The student’s proposal for a project subject must be approved by the Program Director within the first week of the semester of the independent study.
  • LAS 501 Senior Seminar - a program seminar designed to enable students to examine significant problems of the area in an interdisciplinary fashion
• Study abroad is strongly encouraged.
• To complete the major, students must maintain a C- or better for all major courses, with an overall GPA of 2.0.

MINOR in Latin American Studies (five courses-15 credits)

• Courses must fall outside the department of the student’s major
• Independent Study in Latin American studies (LAS 494), culminating in a thesis, original piece of research, or creative project on a Latin American subject. Normally it will be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and should demonstrate an ability to use materials in Spanish, Portuguese, or French. The student’s proposal for a thesis or project subject must be approved by the LAS director within the first week of the semester of the independent study.
• A grade of C- or better is required in the minor with an overall GPA of 2.0.
• Must satisfy the general requirements for either the College of Arts and Sciences or School of Business

Independent Study

Senior LAS majors can opt for 3 credits of independent work, which may be a conventional research project or a creative project. These can take such forms as original photographic essays, fiction, musical compositions, oral history projects, films or documentaries, or curatorial projects done in connection with the Lowe Art Museum. All projects are supervised by the LAS faculty advisor and a second faculty member in the appropriate field.