The interdisciplinary major in Latino and Latin American Studies offers an understanding of hemispheric relationships between the peoples and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean, and those of the United States. It explores interconnected histories and contemporary economic, social, and political challenges including migration, transnational communities, and economic development. Completion of the B.A. in Latino and Latin American Studies prepares the student for work in government, community agencies, international organizations, business, journalism and communications, or for graduate studies that lead to careers in research and teaching.

Requirements

The major in Latino and Latin American Studies consists of a minimum of 37 credit hours of course work, including a required 2-course sequence in writing, research, and methodology (seven credits); an experiential learning component (six credits); a capstone project (three credits); three electives in LLAS (nine credits); and four related courses (12 credits).

Related courses may include LLAS courses provided that they are cross-listed with another discipline. In addition, intermediate proficiency in a language spoken in Latin America, though not a prerequisite for major study, must be demonstrated for completion of the major for students focusing on Latin America, and proficiency in Spanish is strongly suggested for those focusing on Latinos in the United States.

Prerequisite for the major: A 1000-level introductory course on Latino or Latin American Studies.

Required Courses

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Critical Methodology Sequence
LLAS 2011W & LLAS 2012	Introduction to Latino-American Writing and Research and Latinos in Connecticut: Writing for the Community	7
Experiential Learning Requirement
Select six credits from one of the following:		6
Community Immersion Project
LLAS 3999	Independent Study in Latino and Latin American Studies
LLAS 3990	Field Study
or LLAS 4212	Field Internship in Latino Studies
Service learning courses that involve Latino American Community
Urban Semester with Latino Studies Focus 1
INTD 3584	Seminar in Urban Problems
Select one of the following:
INTD 3594	Urban Semester Field Work Seminar
INTD 3590	Urban Field Studies (the internship itself)
Study Abroad or Internship
Study abroad courses or internship in Latin American or Caribbean Studies
Capstone Project
Select one of the following:		3
LLAS 4994W	Latin American Studies Research Seminar
Comprehensive project through Urban Semester
Elective Courses
Elective courses must have a LLAS designation, and must fall within content area of chosen concentration, either Latino or Latin American Studies		9
Related Courses
Related Courses		12
Total Credits		37

¹

Additional credits can count as related courses, or towards the capstone.

Related Courses

Language Requirement

Intermediate proficiency in a language spoken in Latin America is required for students focusing in Latin America, and proficiency in Spanish is strongly suggested for students focusing on Latinos in the United States. Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the ways below:

• Take at least one 3000-level or above course in literature, culture, film or the arts in the target language
• Pass equivalent language exam
• Requirement waived for native speakers

Education Abroad

While study abroad is not mandatory, we strongly encourage all Latino and Latin American Studies majors to spend at least a semester in Latin America or the Caribbean. For further information on academic programs in the region, contact El Instituto or the Education Abroad Office.

Information literacy and writing in the major competencies will be satisfied by completion of the core courses LLAS 2011W Introduction to Latino-American Writing and Research and LLAS 4994W Latin American Studies Research Seminar.

Minors in Latin American Studies and Latino Studies are described in the “Minors” section.