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Latin American Studies

A major in Latin American Studies, which is sponsored 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 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. Courses for the major must be selected in consultation with the Latin American Studies Program academic adviser.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

E-mail: clacs@uiuc.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required major and supporting course work equates to 45 hours

General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

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.

Hours Requirements1
3 LAST 170—Introduction to Latin America2
3 LAST 490—Individual Study3
33-34 Approved courses with Latin American content4 including courses in the following
  perspectives:
 
Anthropological and Geographical Perspective. Normally courses in anthropology and geography.
 
Historical Perspective. Normally courses in history.
 
Humanistic Perspective. Normally courses in Spanish and Portuguese literature, comparative literature, linguistics, art history, and music.
 
Social, Political, and Economic Perspective. Normally courses in sociology, rural sociology, political science, economics, and agricultural economics.
 
Ecological and Environmental Perspective. Normally courses in biology, forestry, and physical anthropology (primatology).
 
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.
5-6 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.

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

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.

1. 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.

2. Normally taken in the freshman or sophomore year.

3. Normally taken in the senior year.

4. Includes 12 hours in one of the listed perspectives, 9 semester hours each in two other perspectives. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American Studies

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers an interdisciplinary minor as a complement to any major for any student enrolled in a major other than Latin American Studies.

The 21 hours selected by students for the interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies should form a coherent program of study. This program must be approved by the adviser of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

E-mail: clacs@uiuc.edu

Web address for department: http://www.clacs.uiuc.edu/

Hours Requirements
5-6 Two courses 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. At the end of their language study, all students are urged to take an oral proficiency test based on ACTFL guidelines.
15-16 Courses drawn from the Latin American Studies curriculum. The curriculum normally consists of courses with 50 percent or more Latin American content and is defined according to a list maintained and regularly updated by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Courses include:
 
LAST 170—Introduction to Latin America
 
No more than 6 hours chosen from a single department
 
Six hours of 300- to 400-level course offerings
 
No more than 6 hours of literature
21 Total required hours