Latin American Studies

Degree

Minor in Latin American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Arts and Humanities

Contact

Steven Byrd, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Arts and Humanities
sbyrd@une.edu

Curricular Requirements

The Latin American Studies Minor at the 51Æ·²è consists of six (6) three (3)-credit courses and a recommended experience in Latin America. Study will be in disciplines such as foreign language, sociology, history, and political science. Two (2) courses are required from two (2) different disciplines. Students will choose four (4) additional courses from the list of electives below.

Program Required CoursesCredits
SPA 211 – Intermediate Spanish3
SOC 230 – Society in Latin America3
Total Credits6
Select Four (4) Electives from the Following:Credits
ANT 231 – Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean3
HIS 240 – Latin American History I: Colonial Latin America3
HIS 241 – Latin American History II: Contemporary Latin America3
HIS 252 – Gender in Latin American History3
HIS 316 – Rebels and Revolutions in Latin America3
SPA 101 – Basic Spanish3
SPA 306 – Spanish for the Medical Professions3
SOC 310 – Population, Society, and Culture3
SOC 331 – Latin American Society and Culture Through La Cinema3
PSC 405 – Politics of Latin American3
PSC 406 – Society and State Relations in Third World Countries3
Total Credits12
Minimum Total Required Credits18

Courses in Latin American Studies can also be taken through the Greater Portland Alliance. Additionally, some courses from 51Æ·²èstudy abroad programs in Latin America and Spain can be substituted for the minor. Discussions about course substitutions should be initiated by the director of Latin American Studies Minor.

Latin American Experience

All students are expected to engage in at least a short-term intensive (Global Citizenship) or study abroad experience in Latin America. These are approved, as are substitutions, by the LAS program coordinator.

Learning Outcomes

Develop conversational, grammatical, reading, and writing proficiency in Spanish.

  • At the end of the program students will be able to:
    • Engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings, and exchange opinions
    • Comprehend and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics
    • Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners on a variety of topics

Expand historical and cultural awareness of Latin America and apply it to the study of the region.

  • At the end of the program students will have:
    • Learned about the basic historical and cultural origins of Latin America, including pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial Latin America
    • Gained a perspective on regional cultures, religions, languages, and the arts in Latin America
    • Experienced current popular cultures in Latin America in a variety of ways

Develop a basic knowledge about society in Latin America to include the roles of geography, demographics, politics, culture, and media.

  • At the end of the program students will have:
    • Learned about the social origins of Latin America, including social structures, political and economic developments, and demographics
    • Examined the connections between culture and the various dimensions of society

Enhance the ability to think critically about culture, social relations, history, politics, and language in Latin America.

  • At the end of this program students will have
    • Applied their knowledge base to analyze social problems in Latin America such as poverty and income inequality, environmental degradation, and development
    • Increased their ability to integrate disciplines and perspectives using a variety of mediums, methods, and modes of expression

Transfer Credit

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at 51Æ·²èin order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.

Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the 51Æ·²è for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.

The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The 51Æ·²è reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.

While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.