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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 undergraducate program reflects 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. 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 Middle 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.
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: |
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Anthropological
and Geographical Perspective. Normally courses in anthropology
and geography. |
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Historical
Perspective. Normally courses in history. |
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Humanistic
Perspective. Normally courses in Spanish and Portuguese literature,
comparative literature, linguistics, art history, and music. |
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Social, Political,
and Economic Perspective. Normally courses in sociology, rural
sociology, political science, economics, and agricultural
economics. |
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Ecological
and Environmental Perspective. Normally courses in biology,
forestry, and physical anthropology (primatology). |
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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 Associate Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. |
| 5-6 |
Advanced conversation
and composition in a Latin American language (Spanish, Portuguese,
Quechua or other Native American language indigenous to Middle or South America) 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.
Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American
Studies
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers an interdisciplinary
minor for students majoring in another discipline. The minor in Latin American Studies consists of a total of 21 credit hours selected from offerings by the Center and various departments. This program must be approved by the Associate Director.
The minor is for those students who wish to concentrate their work in a specific discipline yet maintain a Latin American focus in their coursework. For students completing a major sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the department or unit sponsoring the student's major must approve the minor.
E-mail: clacs@uiuc.edu
Web address for department: www.clacs.uiuc.edu
| Hours |
Requirements |
| 5-6 |
Two courses in a Latin
American language (Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua or other Native American language indigenous to Middle 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. |
| 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: |
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LAST 170—Introduction
to Latin America |
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No more than
6 hours chosen from a single department |
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Six hours
of 300- to 400-level course offerings |
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No more than
6 hours of literature |
| 21 |
Total required hours |
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