Program Description

The minor in Latin American Studies can complement any major with a series of six courses that emphasize the history, politics, economics, literature, language and art of the region. Latin America comprises more than twenty countries in the Western Hemisphere and is an area with deep and complex ties to the United States. A student can expect to develop a broad perspective on the Americas through comparative and interdisciplinary study that will also lend itself to professional preparation for many fields.

Why Take This Minor?

The LAS minor offers students the opportunity for students in any major to engage in the interdisciplinary study of a major world region with close ties to the United States. It encourages and prepares students to study abroad or participate in a travel study course or do an original research project, among other opportunities for engaged learning.

Required for Graduation

• Courses
  • 6
• Credits
  • 18

Student Learning Outcomes

On completing the program Latin American Studies Minors should:

• Have at least a basic ability to read, speak and write the Spanish language or, for students with greater initial knowledge, a more sophisticated grasp of Spanish grammar and usage
• Be able to explain major characteristics of Latin American history, politics, and culture

Minor Requirements

Six three-credit courses distributed as follows. As course offerings change, please see Director for other approved courses on a semester-to-semester basis.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Spanish Language Courses: 100 through 400-level
Select two of the following:		6
SPN 101 & SPN 102	Elementary Spanish I and Elementary Spanish II
SPN 201 & SPN 202	Intermediate Spanish I and Intermediate Spanish II
SPN 203 & SPN 204	Spanish For Heritage Speakers and Spanish For Heritage Speakers II
SPN 301 & SPN 302	Conversation and Composition I and Conversation and Composition II
SPN 307	Commercial Spanish
SPN 401	History of The Spanish Language
Departments
Select FOUR courses drawn from at least THREE of the following departments:		12
History
HIS 307	Latin America: The Colonial Period
HIS 308	Latin America In Revolution
Special Topics
Political Science / Economics
POL/ECN 334	The Political Economy Of Latin America
Special Topics
Art and Art History
ARTH 224	Latin American Art
Special Topics
Spanish
SPN 350 & SPN 351	Introduction to Bilingual-Bicultural Studies and Introduction to Bilingual-Bicultural Studies (in Spanish)
SPN 313	Survey of Spanish American Literature (in Spanish)
SPN 322	Survey of Spanish American Civilization (in Spanish)
SPN 442	Romanticism (in Spanish)
SPN 443	Poetry of the 19th And 20th Centuries (in Spanish)
SPN 448	The Spanish American Novel (in Spanish)
Special Topics
Travel Study Course to a country in Latin America (multiple departments)
Total Credits		18

Recommended Course Sequence

Courses are not sequenced but it is recommended that a student take two courses per year starting in the Sophomore year.