Latin American Studies, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Latin American Studies

A major in Latin American Studies, which is administered by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, provides an integrated exploration of a major world area. Depending upon the student's interests and career aspirations, individual programs of study are designed in close consultation with the Associate Director of the Center, who also serves as the academic adviser. Consultation revolves around the career goals of the student. The undergraduate program reflects an integrative, cross-disciplinary approach, and courses must be taken from these categories:

  1. LAST 170-Introduction to Latin American Studies;
  2. Approved courses with content focused on Latin America;
  3. Approved courses with content focused on Latin America in a global context;
  4. LAST 490 - Independent Study, or approved Study Abroad course, or approved service-learning course.

Courses for the major must be selected in consultation with the Associate Director of the Center.

Students are also expected to demonstrate a substantial command of a Latin American language (Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua or other Native American language indigenous to MesoAmerica or South America), either by passing a proficiency examination or through advanced courses of Latin American language(s) beyond the general Liberal Arts and Sciences language requirement.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Latin American Studies

Each student's course of study is devised in consultation with the Associate Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and is subject to the Associate Director's approval.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

Departmental distinction: To be eligible, a student must achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average in the major, complete a senior thesis, and receive the approval of the center's research committee.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours. Minimum required major and supporting course work: 33 hours.

University Requirements

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by LAST 170 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Science
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
fulfilled by LAST 170
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-20

 Major Requirements

LAST 170Que Pasa in Latin America? Cultures, Histories and Politics South of the Rio Grande 13
Approved courses with primary focus on Latin America.12
Approved courses with primary focus on Latin America in a global context.12
LAST 490Individual Study (or an approved study abroad course or an approved service-learning course.) 23
Advanced language course in a Latin American language (Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua, or other Native American language indigenous to Mexico, Central, or South America) beyond the level specified by the LAS language requirement, or the equivalent as demonstrated by special examination. At the end of their language study, all students are urged to take an oral proficiency test based on ACTFL guidelines.3
Total Hours33
1

Normally taken in the freshman or sophomore year.

2

Normally taken in the senior year.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Latin American Studies

Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Free elective course1Free elective course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other than English (4th level)4
Composition I or General Education course4General Education course or Composition 13
LAST 1703General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
 15 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Latin America course3Latin America course3
General Education course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Latin America course3Latin America in a Global Context course3
Latin America in a Global Context course3Latin America in a Global Context course3
General Education Course3Latin America level course3
General Education Course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
LAST 4903Latin America Advanced Language course3
Latin America in a Global Context course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course2
 15 14
Total Hours 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Latin American Studies

  1. Strong Declarative Knowledge Base on Latin American Culture and its position in the broader global world
    • Students should understand the diversity and complexity of Latin American cultures and languages and their historical, cultural, political, and economic development.
    • Students should develop appropriate expertise on a sub-region or culture of Latin America and/or a thematic topic related to Latin America
    • Students should also be able to place their knowledge of Latin American in a broader global context.
  2. Critical Thinking
    • Students should be able to critically and reasonably evaluate and formulate claims about social, cultural, political, historic, and economic issues related to Latin America in both academic and popular media.
    • Students should be able to critically and reasonably evaluate and apply their knowledge to real world problems.
  3. Effective Written Communication
    • Students should be able to identify research problems, approach these problems with appropriate methodologies and effectively communicate the results.  They should be able to apply their knowledge to real world situations.
    • Students should be able to effectively communicate their knowledge of Latin American culture and language to a broad non-specialist audience.
  4. Advanced Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese OR Intermediate – High proficiency in an Indigenous Latin American Language - This will be assessed through completion of appropriate level course work and through OPI or equivalent testing.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Latin American Studies

Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies website
Latin American Studies faculty
Latin American Studies email

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website