Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS)

College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Program
John Roach Center for the Liberal Arts – JRC 410, (651) 962-5724
Director: Kari Zimmerman (HIST)

Latin American and Caribbean Studies is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to understand and critically examine the complexities and diversity of the people and institutions of Latin America; the region comprised of countries in North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, whose distinct geography, political economies, and societies are unified by aspects of a common cultural heritage. The purpose of the minor is to enable students to analyze Latin America, at the national and regional level, and its relationship to major global trends. Relying on the perspectives and methodologies of several disciplines, students will acquire a deeper knowledge of Latin America and the Caribbean; its history, geopolitics, diverse populations, cultural traditions and contributions, and its crucial place in international development. The broad scope and analytical approach of Latin American and Caribbean Studies positions students with the critical framework and cultural competency necessary to be effective and socially responsible citizens of the Americas.

The minor offers two tracks that prepare students to become specialists on Latin America and its people or Latin America in Global Perspective. Students focused on either track will be proficient in analytical writing, foreign language aptitude and cross-cultural study. In addition, an integral part of the program includes an immersion experience either in Latin America and the Caribbean or locally among Latino communities. The goal of the immersion experience is to build on academic knowledge and help students gain a more nuanced understanding of lived experiences as related to contemporary issues and circumstances. In combination, these academic and experiential skills allow students to apply their knowledge of Latin America to a broad range of careers including government and diplomacy, international business and/or law, nonprofit and non-government organizations, and teaching. Students with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies are also well prepared for graduate studies in related disciplines such as public policy, law, international relations, business, modern languages and literature, art history and museum studies. This comprehensive and flexible minor provides students with the opportunity to develop their academic, cultural, and/or vocational interests in Latin America.

Minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Students Will Complete 24 Credits for the LACS Minor, Including 1 Immersion Experience.

Foundation Courses:

LACS 200 Introduction to Latin American Studies (4 credits)
or HIST 117 Latin America in Global Perspective
SPAN 212 Intermediate Spanish II (4 credits) or equivalent

Plus 16 Credits in 1 of 2 Tracks:

Latin American Studies Generalist

16 credits of the following with no more than 8 credits taken in any 1 Department.

ARTH 265 Art of Mesoamerica (4 credits) 
ARTH 321 The Art and Culture of Modern Mexico (1824-1940) (4 credits)
ARTH 323 Colonial Art of Latin America (4 credits) 
HIST 293 Topics in History of Latin America (4 credits) 
HIST 301 History of Urban Latin America (4 credits)
HIST 303 History of Modern Brazil (4 credits)
HIST 395: Topics in History of Latin America (4 credits)
SPAN 316 Studies in Spanish Linguistics (4 credits)
SPAN 332 Latin American Culture and Civilization (4 credits)  
SPAN 340 The Long Emancipation (4 credits)
SPAN 380 Themes in Latin American Literature (4 credits) 
SPAN 405 Spanish Genre Studies (4 credits) (Upon approval by the director) 
SPAN 410 Women and Discourse of the Spanish-speaking World (4 credits) (Upon approval by  the director) 
SPAN 411 Ethnicity and Multiculturalism of the Spanish-speaking World (4 credits)  
SPAN 415 Hispanic Cinema Studies (4 credits)  
THEO 455 The Church in Latin America (4 credits)

Latin America in Global Perspective

8 credits chosen from the Latin American Studies Generalist List [above] and 8 credits of the following courses with partial coverage of Latin America, with no more than 8 credits in any 1 department.

Note: Students in partial coverage courses must focus their final project/assignment on the region and submit a copy of it to the LACS Director.

ECON 341 Open Economy Macroeconomics (4 credits)
ECON 342 International Trade (4 credits)
ECON 345 Economics of Development and Growth (4 credits)
ENGL 337 Latina Women Authors (4 credits)
FILM courses as appropriate and approved by director of LACS. Examples include:
- FILM 300 World Cinema
GEOG 113 Globalization & World Regions (4 credits)
GEOG 350 Geography of Global Health (4 credits)
HIST 207 Slavery in the Americas (4 credits) 
HIST 211 Women & the Family in the Americas (4 credits)
IBUS courses completed in Latin America & approved by the director of LACS
- IBUS 450 Transnational Business Issues in Management, Marketing, or Business Law (4 credits) 
- IBUS 460 Transnational Business Issues in Finance or Accounting (4 credits) 
- IBUS 470 Transnational Issues in International Business (4 credits) 
JPST 250 Introduction to Justice and Peace Studies (4 credits)
JPST 385 Globalization and Social Movements (4 credits)
MGMT 391 Elements of Global Business (2 credits) 
MGMT 430 Global Strategy and Management (4 credits) 
MUSC 130 Intro to World Music (4 Credits
MUSC 217 Music of the Americas (4 credits)
POLS 225 World Politics (4 credits)
POLS 424 Seminar in International Relations (4 credits)
POLS 454 Seminar in Comparative Politics (4 credits)
POLS 321 Comparative Foreign Policy (4 credits)
POLS 326 International Law and Organizations (4 credits)
POLS 328 International Security (4 credits)
POLS 352 Politics of the Developing World (4 credits)
PUBH 225: Global Heath and Development (4 credits)
SOCI courses as appropriate and approved by director of LACS. Examples include:
- SOCI 251 Race and Ethnicity (4 credits)
- SOCI 350 Social Inequality: Privilege & Power (4 credits)
- SOCI 353 Global Perspectives on Gender (4 credits)
SPAN 412 Chicano and U.S. Latino Culture(s) and Literature(s) (4 credits)  
THEO 421 Theologies of Justice and Peace (4 credits)

Immersion Experience:

At least 4 of the 24 required credits in either track must include an immersion experience (study abroad or campus affiliated courses/internship that includes community engagement) approved by the director of the program.

LACS Course Listing


Course Number	Title	Credits
LACS 200	Intro Latin American Studies	4
Description of course Intro Latin American Studies :	Introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of Latin American Studies as well as the individuals, cultures, histories, politics, economics, and geographies that distinguish the region and its nations. Students learn different disciplinary approaches to analyzing Latin America (e.g. art history, political science, literature, sociology, and history) through course content, readings, and instruction as the course is rotated among affiliated faculty each semester offered. The interdisciplinary framework provides a number of different ways to think about Latin American society and challenges us to recognize the linkages and tensions that define the region, explored through topics such as social and economic variations, democracy and dictatorship, slavery and race relations, urban and rural societies, (im)migrations, gender and sexuality, citizenship and resistance, popular culture, and the Church and social justice. Exploring the major themes and disciplinary studies of Latin America help us integrate ideas about the region and its communities.