Latin American Studies Minor

Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary minor which covers a wide range of disciplinary perspectives in the arts, literature, social sciences, and history while ensuring knowledge of the region’s languages to develop a more coherent understanding of Latin America. Based on course offerings in a given year from the various departments participating in the program, the list of courses is subject to change. The minor requires two language courses in either French, Portuguese, or Spanish.

The Latin American Studies minor offers students pursuing careers in diplomacy, international business, law, or graduate study in the humanities and social sciences a comprehensive understanding of the region, which will link theoretical approaches with the realities of Latin American culture, history, and politics.

REQUIREMENTS

The interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies consists of 18–24 credits drawn from the three context groups listed below. Courses for the minor are selected in consultation with the coordinator from the list of approved courses from the various departments participating in the program.

A student may not share courses used for the Latin American Studies minor with courses required in their major or with another minor.

A student may count the language courses used in the World Language option and courses used in the French, Portuguese, or Spanish World Ready options in the Language requirement towards the minor. For example, if a student declares the World Ready track and completes Portuguese 1 and 2 plus three approved culture/history/literature/ film courses related to Portuguese but taught in English (at least one of these courses must be at the 3000/4000 level), the student will only need one more course at the 3000/4000 level to complete the Latin American Studies minor. Please note that the 3 course requirement of the WR track will also need to be approved as part of the Latin American Studies minor. French courses will have to be approved by the minor coordinator, as they must focus on the Francophone presence in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Language Requirement (6 credits)

Six credits of the same foreign language (French, Portuguese or Spanish). If the student waives level 1 and 2 of the same foreign language via Department of World Languages and Cultures placement exam (no course credits are awarded), the student will need two more courses in the electives category.

All of the language courses will typically be taken in the Department of World Languages and Cultures or through an accredited study abroad program that is recognized by our university. For information about the department’s placement test, please email MLP_Exam@uml.edu.

Choose 2 courses of the same foreign language:

Foundation Course (3 credits)

One introductory course on modern Latin America. Any of the following meet this requirement; consult your advisor for alternative possibilities. Any course not used to meet the foundation requirement course may be used to fulfill an elective.

Electives (9 credits)

Electives may be drawn from the course offerings about Latin America from any discipline across the university. At least six credits in non-language courses either in English, Spanish, or Portuguese must be taken at the 3000 level or above. Non-language courses are those related to the culture/history/literature/film of the linguistic area (even if they taught in the target language).

Note: Academic study in Latin America is strongly recommended. Speak with the minor coordinator to help you find the study abroad program that best fits your interests.

For more information or to declare a minor in Latin American Studies contact Maria R. Matz, program coordinator.