The Latin American Studies program provides students an understanding of the remarkably diverse Latin American region’s 20 independent countries. Interdisciplinary in nature and scope, the program features courses in Latin American history, art, literature, and current social, economic, political, and foreign policy. It requires substantial study of Spanish or Portuguese to gain competence in a language used extensively in the region.
Majoring in Latin American Studies
Of the 10 courses (eight of which must be taken at the 300 level or above), two must be taken in each of following context groups:
- Historical.
- Literary, Artistic, and Cultural.
- Contemporary Context.
For more information, please refer to the Latin American Studies bulletin.
For the Latin American Studies course lists, please refer to our Undergraduate Academic Advising page under Current Course Schedules.
Minoring in Latin American Studies
The minor consists of six courses drawn from the three context groups listed above. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Three courses taken for the minor must be at the 300-level or higher, with at least one of the three at the 400-level or higher. Minors are encouraged to take the optional capstone course “CAS IR 410: Latin America Today.” For more information, click here.
Honors in Latin American Studies
Honors in Latin American Studies may be earned by completing two semesters of independent senior honors work and presenting an original research paper (thesis) in written and oral form to a committee of faculty readers. The committee will consider both the thesis and the result of the oral examination to determine whether the student will receive honors in the major. A grade of B+ or better in each semester of CAS IR 401/402 is required for the award of honors. For more information, please refer to the Latin American Studies Bulletin.