Requirement. At least 45 hours.
A major in Latin American 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 student adviser in the Center for Latin American
and Caribbean Studies. All study programs should reflect an
integrative, cross-disciplinary approach, and courses must be taken in
at least three of these five areas or perspectives: l) anthropological
and geographical; 2) historical; 3) humanistic; 4) social, political,
and economic; 5) ecological and environmental.
Students are also expected to demonstrate a substantial
command of a Latin American language (Spanish, Portuguese, or
Quechua), either through course work or by passing a proficiency
examination. Students majoring in Latin American studies are urged to
include, during the summer or regular academic year, a period of study
abroad in Latin America.
The major consists of a minimum of 45 semester hours of course work
as follows:
1. LA ST
170 (3 hours), normally taken in the freshman or sophomore
year.
2. LA ST
290 (3 hours), a one-semester tutorial, normally taken in the
senior year.
3. Completion of 33 semester hours of approved courses with Latin
American content. Of these, 12 semester hours must be in courses in
one of the following perspectives, and 9 semester hours in each of two
other perspectives, as follows:
a. Anthropological and Geographical Perspective. Normally
courses in anthropology and geography.
b. Historical Perspective. Normally courses in history.
c. Humanistic Perspective. Normally courses in Spanish and
Portuguese literature, comparative literature, linguistics, art
history, and music.
d. Social, Political, and Economic Perspective. Normally
courses in sociology, rural sociology, political science, economics,
and agricultural economics.
e. Ecological and Environmental Perspective. Normally courses
in biology, forestry, and physical anthropology (primatology).
f. When appropriate, approved courses with Latin American
content in other scientific and professional areas may be substituted
for courses in the five perspectives listed above with the consent of
the adviser in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean
Studies.
4. Two courses (5 or 6 semester hours) in advanced conversation and
composition in a Latin American language (Spanish, Portuguese, or
Quechua) beyond the level specified by the LAS language requirement,
or the equivalent as demonstrated by special examination. Students
successfully completing the examination are expected to use these 5 or
6 hours in approved courses of Latin American content from any of the
above perspectives (including literature courses). At the end of their
language study, all students are urged to take an oral proficiency
test based on ACTFL guidelines.
5. Each student's course of study is devised in consultation with
the adviser in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and
is subject to the adviser's approval.
Departmental Distinction. To be eligible, a student must
achieve at least a 4.5 grade-point average in the major, complete a
senior thesis, and receive the approval of the center's research
committee.
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