Latin American Studies BA

The Latin American Studies major allows students to analyze the area or a subregion (e.g., Amazonia, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Southern Cone) from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective. The major seeks to ground students in broad international issues that they can then use to focus on particular concerns of that part of the world.

College:
College of Letters and Science

Department:
International and Area Studies

Degree Level:
Undergraduate

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts

Preparation for the Major

Complete International and Area Studies 1, one area studies course, two international politics and markets courses, two international societies and cultures courses, and two area-related foreign language sequences through the intermediate level as follows:

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Area Studies

Select one course from:

Select 1 from 8 options:

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International Politics and Markets

Select two courses from the following:

Select 2 from 6 options:

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International Societies and Cultures

Select two courses from the following. Only one course from Comparative Literature 1D, 2DW, or 4DW may be applied.

Select 2 from 11 options:

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Foreign Language

Complete two area-related foreign language sequences through the intermediate level such as the following examples or an indigenous language of Latin America such as Nahuatl, Quechua, or Zapotec. The language requirement can also be fulfilled in part or in total by taking a placement examination given through the appropriate language department.

Select 2 from 4 options:

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The Major

Complete 11 upper-division courses divided among area studies and international themes as follows. The area studies electives focus on contemporary issues of that region after 1750. Students may substitute a maximum of three upper-division courses with focus on earlier historical aspects of the region or on diasporas with origins related to the region toward the area studies electives as long the distribution between humanities and arts and social sciences is maintained.

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Area Studies: Humanities and Arts

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Area Studies: Social Sciences

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Area Studies: Additional Elective

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International Themes: Politics and Markets

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International Themes: Societies and Cultures

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Capstone

Complete the following senior research seminar. This fulfills the capstone requirement for the major.

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Honors Program

The honors program is an optional track designed to offer highly motivated majors the opportunity to design and conduct their own independent research under the guidance of a faculty adviser.

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Honors Track

To receive honors, students must meet GPA requirements, secure a faculty adviser, and complete the following three-course thesis sequence. Honors are awarded to students who complete all requirements for the major with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in upper-division courses for the major, successfully complete the honors courses, and produce an honors thesis (35-50 pages). Highest honors requires a 3.75 GPA and an exceptional thesis.

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Honors Thesis Courses

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Complete the three-term directed-study series culminating in an honors thesis.