Undergraduate Program
A degree in Latin American Studies can open a world of opportunities. Below is information regarding the major; a complete overview of the BA program appears after answers to the most commonly asked questions. An undergraduate minor in Latin American Studies is now also available. For additional information on either of these programs of study, please contact the director of undergraduate studies or refer to the official online catalog.
Commonly Asked Questions...
Undergraduate Advising and Appointments
Major in Latin American Studies
Minor in Latin American Studies
Commonly Asked Questions . . .
Is it for me?
To find out, ask yourself: Do I appreciate and respect cultural diversity? Am I curious about the nations south of the United States? Have I had travel or work experiences that have taught me about people from these countries? Do I communicate well orally and in writing? Do I know some Spanish or Portuguese? If I don't, am I willing to master one of them? Am I a good student who can juggle diverse courses?
What Is Latin American Area Studies?
The Latin American Area Studies program offers students a broad background in the languages, history, politics, and cultures of Mexico and the countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Because the program is interdisciplinary, it draws on faculty and courses from around the university with special interests in these countries.
What degrees are offered?
Latin American Area Studies majors can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA). The BA requires a generous sampling of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as courses in the major. Students earning a BA also take laboratory science courses.
What will I study?
You will study the language, history, literature, and cultures of the countries broadly considered part of Latin America . In addition to this general overview, you'll choose an area of primary emphasis and take at least four courses in this area.
Your primary emphasis can be chosen from such disciplines as history, anthropology, political science, and sociology, or Spanish or Portuguese beyond the entry-level language classes.
What kind of job can I get?
Many employers have a strong interest in Latin America and in Spanish-speaking employees who have an interest in Hispanic cultures. Graduates from Latin American Area Studies have found jobs with the U.S. Foreign Service or other government agencies and with companies with business interests in Latin America. Many graduates are teachers, from elementary school to college.
Although students may choose to single major, most find that double majoring in Latin American Area Studies and another discipline makes them particularly attractive to employers. Students who combine Latin American Studies with journalism can work for newspapers and radio and television stations that serve Hispanic communities. A double major in business or social welfare combines well with companies or social service agencies that work with or serve Latin American customers or clients.
Other students complement their Latin American Studies major with a BA in fields such as history, political science, Spanish, economics, or anthropology. Many students go on for an advanced degree in Latin American Studies or other liberal arts disciplines such as history, sociology or economics. Most of these students plan to teach in post-secondary schools or do research in Latin American areas.
Some Latin American Area Studies graduates go on for advanced degrees in business, education, or journalism where they use their knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese languages and cultures to develop a special career niche for themselves.
What courses will I be taking?
The Latin American Area Studies program is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. First-year students in the College take English composition, math, and courses that fulfill general education requirements. The CLAS chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog gives more details. If you're earning a BA in Latin American Studies and have had some high school Spanish, your first year's schedule will look something like this:
First Semester
Course
Description
Credits
ENGL 101
Composition
3 hours
MATH 101
Algebra
3 hours
LAA 100
Latin American Culture and Society
3 hours
SPAN 108
Elementary Spanish II
5 hours
TOTAL
14 hours
Second Semester
Course
Description
Credits
ENGL 102
Composition and Literature
3 hours
MATH 105
Introduction to Math Topics
3 hours
BIOL 100
Principles of Biology Lecture
3 hours
BIOL 102
Principles of Biology Lab
2 hours
SPAN 212
Intermediate Spanish
3 hours
TOTAL
14 hours
What will my program be like?
Each Latin American Area Studies major must have 124 credit hours to graduate. Most students average about 15 credits, or five courses, a semester. All majors take at least 30 hours, or about 10 courses, from the program's list of required and suggested courses and from the topic group the student has chosen for primary and secondary emphasis.
The program also requires proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese as demonstrated either through a proficiency exam or the successful completion of the fourth semester of the College's language sequence. Students who choose Spanish as their main language must complete Intermediate Spanish II ; those who choose Portuguese must complete Intermediate Brazilian Portuguese II . You will also take two semesters in the other language or in Kaqchikel Maya, Quichua, or Haitian Creole.
Many students are able to complete their language requirements and courses for two majors within four years. They carefully plan a four-year program and take extra courses during summer sessions or in additional semesters. The number of semesters it takes to complete a double major depends on the level of language skill you have when you enter. For additional help in choosing courses see the Undergraduate Major Requirements Form, it is advised to make an appointment with the Undergraduate Advisor to properly fill it out.
How do I get into the program?
Once you're enrolled in the College, you can take courses in Latin American Area Studies. You aren't required to submit a formal application to the program. You become a major when you fill out a major declaration form in the program office.
Contact the program early for advising, particularly if you plan to double major. Students who double major are advised each semester in Latin American Studies and their other department.
Can I study abroad?
You'll have the opportunity to spend a semester or a year in Costa Rica or to participate in a summer of intensive language study in Puebla, Mexico or Salvador, Brazil. Additional programs and opportunities can be found through the KU Office of Study Abroad. These affordable programs will sharpen your language skills and will give you first-hand experience with a different culture.
Can I get a scholarship?
For information on scholarships, grants and loans, visit the website of the Office of Student Financial Aid or call (785) 864-4700. Incoming freshmen and transfer students may apply for KU scholarships through the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. Also see our Grants & Opportunities page as well as our Internships, Fellowships, Teach Abroad, & Jobs page.
What if my interests change after I come to KU?
KU has hundreds of programs. In the College, you'll be taking courses in many subjects. One of them will lead you toward a major and a career.
Undergraduate Advising
Peter Haney, Assistant Director of Latin American Studies, is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Undergraduate Advisor.
Students interested in a major or minor in Latin American Studies should make an appointment to see the undergraduate advisor by contacting the Center. To get an advising appointment, please call or e-mail (785-864-4213 -- latamst@ku.edu) to request a specific time (on the hour or half-hour) and a second choice in case the first is taken. It is crucial for students to bring their ARTS form to the appointment.
Dr. Haney's office hours for Spring 2012 are below, though subject to change.
Tuesday: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Wednesday: 9:00am-11:30am and 1:00pm-4:30pm
Thursday: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Information for the Global Awareness Program is accessible from this page.
Comprehensive Overview of the Major in Latin American Studies
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies is designed to provide a broad academic background with a regional focus, usually in conjunction with a second major in a specific discipline, and a mastery of Spanish and other languages. The program enables students to take courses in a variety of departments as a part of their plan of study, and lays the foundation for graduate work. Students are encouraged to pursue graduation with honors in Latin American Studies.
Prospective majors should begin language study in Spanish or Portuguese as early as possible. The intensive language program is recommended for those without high school preparation. Prospective majors are also encouraged to choose courses with Latin American content (for example, LAA 100, LAA 332, HIST 121) for College principal course distribution requirements. All students must be advised by the designated advisor of the program. See the Undergraduate Major Requirements Form.
Requirements for the major
Students may choose to carry a double major (one in a particular discipline and one in Latin American Studies) or to complete a single major in Latin American Studies. In addition to meeting the College language requirement in Spanish or Portuguese, all majors earn a minimum of 30 semester hours in substantive courses on Latin America.
Language requirements
The college language requirement must be met in either Spanish or Portuguese. Two semesters or the equivalent are required in another Latin American language: Spanish or Portuguese (whichever not covered above) Haitian Creole, Kaqchikel Maya, or Andean Quichua.
Required coursework
A three hour course in Spanish American literature (numbered above 400) or in Brazilian literature, and HIST 120 (Colonial Latin America) are required. Students must also choose three courses, each in a different discipline, selected from the list of courses below (literature and history courses do not apply for this requirement).
Primary and secondary emphases
A major emphasis requires four courses (12 hours) from one of the five topic groups chosen by the student as the primary emphasis . See the attached Latin American course list with topic group designations. (See catalog listings for Fall 2010 of the specific departments for course descriptions and prerequisites.) Courses listed under more than one topic group may only be counted toward one group.
A secondary emphasis requires three courses from one of the remaining topic groups chosen by the student as the secondary emphasis . See the attached Latin American course list with topic group designations. (See catalog listings of the specific departments for course descriptions and prerequisites.) Courses listed under more than one topic group may only be counted toward one group.
Topic groups for primary and secondary emphasis:
I- Language, Literature, and Culture
II- Historical Studies
III- Economics, Geography, Political Science, and Sociology
IV- Anthropology, Religious Studies, and Women's Studies
V- Environmental Policy
Fieldwork or advanced language study
Students may choose to complete supervised study in Latin America or the Caribbean for a minimum of one month. Fieldwork can be taken as independent study in a discipline or as part of a developed field course and normally includes 3 to 6 credit hours of work. The student must present his/her plan for fieldwork to the Latin American Studies undergraduate director, and the department must approve it prior to any travel. Honors students may use fieldwork as the first of their two semesters of LAA 499.
Students not pursuing field work in Latin America or the Caribbean must complete 9 hours of courses taught completely in Spanish or Portuguese. The student's coursework in advanced language study must be outlined with their Latin American Studies advisor. At least one of these three courses must be in a field other than language and literature. Grammar, composition and conversation courses do not apply. Courses taken as part of an academic semester abroad may be applicable.
Additional field of concentration
Students must select an additional field of concentration in a specific discipline (not in an interdisciplinary department) and complete 15 hours of courses numbered 300 or above in that field. Language classes numbered below 500 do not count toward this requirement. Courses taken as part of the required coursework for the Latin American Studies major may count toward this requirement.
Requirements for graduating with honors
The regulations of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences specify that "graduation with departmental honors is awarded in recognition for exceptional performance in the major, completion of a program of independent research or an acceptable alternative project, and a strong overall academic record." In accordance with the requirements specified in the catalog, the requirements for graduating with departmental honors in Latin American Studies are as follows: First, candidates must declare their intention to work for departmental honors to the undergraduate director of the Center of Latin American Studies no later than the time of enrollment for the first semester of the senior year. The candidate should return the intent form to the College Student Academic Services Office, 109 Strong Hall. Second, at the end of the final undergraduate semester, the candidate must have achieved an overall grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average of at least 3.5 in the major (i.e., the 30-36 hours of course work applied toward the Latin American Studies major). Both overall and major grade point averages include work done at other institutions as well as at KU. Third, each candidate must complete an independent research project, or its equivalent, related to Latin American Studies.
An honors candidate must enroll in LAA 499 (Honors Course for Latin American Studies ) for two semesters, three credit hours per semester, and must earn a grade of B or better in the first semester, and a grade of A in the second semester. The candidate must submit a one-page proposal to the undergraduate director of the Center of Latin American Studies . This proposal should describe the proposed honors project and state the names of at least three faculty members who have agreed to evaluate the project. The candidate must obtain a written statement from the Undergraduate Director indicating that the project is relevant to Latin American Studies . The committee chair must be a faculty member in Latin American Studies . The results of the candidate's project must be presented in written form, or in another form appropriate to the project, to the committee identified by the candidate in the proposal mentioned above. This committee certifies the successful completion of the Latin American Studies honors project.
Minor in Latin American Studies
The Center of Latin American Studies offers a minor that requires completion of 18 hours of classes. There is no language requirement for the minor. After 6 hours of Latin American Studies core classes (chosen from LAA 100, LAA 332/333, LAA 334/ANTH 379 or LAA 335), students will be able to choose 12 hours of courses at the junior or senior level from a wide variety of courses approved by the center. No more than 1 course (3 hours) may be shared with the student's major.
It is our hope that the minor in Latin American Studies will attract students from several departments and schools who do not wish to concentrate in language studies, but who are interested in aspects such as the history, culture, geography, anthropology, art history, politics, business or journalism of Latin America. This minor will be a great complement to a degree in, for example, business or architecture. There is great flexibility for students who wish to create their own program in order to acquire knowledge in various disciplines subjects.
The Latin American Studies advisor will be glad to speak with any student who may be interested in obtaining the minor. If you would like to make an appointment with the undergraduate advisor or have any questions about the new minor, please contact the Center of Latin American Studies. Also see the Undergraduate Minor Requirements Form.
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