Latin American and Caribbean Studies, B.A.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Credit Hours: 33+

In addition to completing the requirements for this major, students must also complete the degree requirements specified in the Academic Regulations  section of this catalog.

Courses within this major may also satisfy general education requirements. Please consult the Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements  for more information.

Major Requirements

The curriculum in Latin American and Caribbean Studies is divided into two sequences. Category A: History - Politics - Society and Category B: Literature- Culture - Languages. To ensure depth and breadth, students must take 15 credit hours in one category and 12 credit hours in the other with no more than 12 credit hours in any one discipline (except LACS); and no more than 15 credit hours at the 200-level or below (except LACS). All students must take the LACS 101 Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies (3)  and the LACS 495 Latin American and Caribbean Studies Capstone (3) .

All students are required to take an additional year of foreign language beyond the College general education foreign language requirement. Students must fulfill their language requirement in Spanish, Portuguese or French. The language requirement may be fulfilled by 6 semesters (or the equivalent) in one language or four semesters in one language and two semesters in another (or equivalent).

All majors are required to spend one semester or summer in a study or internship abroad program and earn a minimum of 6 credit hours (which may be part of the 33 credit hour major). Abroad program must be arranged with the Director of the Program and with the provision for an alternative or exemption on the basis of special circumstances.

The courses listed below may be supplemented by Special Topics, Tutorials, Independent Studies, Internships, Study Abroad Courses, and Bachelor’s Essays that focus on Latin America and /or the Caribbean in the various disciplines.

Latin American and Caribbean Studies majors are encouraged to double major or minor in other fields.  Double majors and minors gain extra skills and knowledge.  Though it is not recommended, students who choose to double major in LACS as well as in International Studies with a concentration on Latin America and the Caribbean may count a maximum of four 100-level in LACS towards both majors.  No 200, 300, or 400-level courses from either major may count towards the other.