Latin American and Latino Studies Minor
A Latin American and Latino Studies minor (LALS) is available to provide students interested in Latin American and Latino history and language with valuable interdisciplinary skills. Because this is an interdisciplinary program, students will enroll in courses in History & Philosophy and Modern Languages & Literatures. Courses in Sociology & Anthropology, as well as other departments with relevant course content, will also be allowed for credit subject to approval by the program coordinator. This minor will complement majors for students pursuing graduate school and professional programs in agriculture, engineering, history, literature, political science, sociology, international business, and more. The minor will also strengthen the skill-sets of students who wish to become more competitive in the Spanish speaking job market, either abroad or in the United States. A minor in LALS will prepare students for the close relationship developing between Latin American and the United States in trade agreements, the growing immigrant laborers, and the expansion of Latin American and Latino communities in the United States with significant political and economic power. This program is not designed for teacher certification.
Those wishing to declare a minor in Latin American and Latino Studies must submit an "Application for a Non-teaching Minor" to the Registrar's Office by the end of the semester one year prior to the semester of completion.
The equivalent of four semesters of Spanish language is required. Students with prior experience in Spanish language may have some requirements waived. Students interested in the LALS minor should consult with the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures immediately upon their decision to fulfill the minor so that they can ascertain the language requirements that are appropriate for them.
Required Courses
| Required courses | ||
| SPNS 101 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 |
| SPNS 102D | Elementary Spanish II | 3 |
| SPNS 201D | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| SPNS 202D | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| HSTR 130D | Latin American History | 3 |
Note: Coursework in another language spoken in Latin America (excluding English) will also be accepted. | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 4 courses from at least two different disciplines (SPNS, SOCI, HSTR, etc): | 12 | |
| Art and Architecture of Ancient Mesoamerica | ||
| The U.S.-Mexican Border: History, Politics and Culture | ||
| Latin Amer Social History | ||
| Race in Latin America | ||
| Colonial Latin America | ||
| Latin American Perspectives | ||
| Gender in Latin America | ||
| Latin America: Human Rights | ||
| Armed Conflict in Modern Latin America | ||
| Latin American Nature in History and Culture | ||
| Politics of Development | ||
| Sociology of Globalization | ||
| Political Sociology | ||
| Spanish for Healthcare Professionals | ||
| Early Cultures of Latin America | ||
| Modern Cultures Latin America | ||
| Contemp Latin Amer Literature | ||
| To Infinity and Beyond: Jorge Luis Borges | ||
| Travel in Latin Am Lit & Film | ||
| US Latino Cultures | ||
| US Latino Literature | ||
| U.S. Latino Text & Cinema | ||
| Latin American Text and Cinema | ||
| Latin America in Focus | ||
| Latin America: Culture and Revolution | ||
| Latin Amer Perspectives | ||
| Hispanic Caribbean: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic | ||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Not all elective courses may be taken in the same department. A total of 9 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. This list may expand as other disciplines develop courses that contain a substantial Latin American or Latino component. Upcoming SPNS courses include "Chicanos and the Southwest," "Indigenismo," "Borges," and "Service Learning: Experience Latin American Today."