Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the unique culture, history, geography, politics, economies, and physical environment of South and Central America and the Caribbean. This region has some of the fastest growing economies in the world and is a major trading partner of the U.S.
With inter-hemispheric connections such as NAFTA and CAFTA-DR increasing our ties to this region, a better understanding and appreciation of our Southern neighbors is essential. Hispanics will soon become the largest ethnic minority within the U.S. and represent a rapidly growing part of our national economy and culture. Regardless of one's major, a minor in Latin American Studies will allow the student to better understand and work with this dynamic region and the various cultures of its people.The objectives of the Latin American Studies minor are:
 | To provide students with a sound humanities education as well as assist in developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; |
| To promote cultural understanding, appreciate the differences and similarities between the various peoples of our hemisphere, and through doing so, gaining a better understanding of American culture; |
| To provide students with the necessary knowledge, experiences, and language skills to pursue independent study, field work, or employment opportunities anywhere in Latin America or the Caribbean; and |
| To better understand Hispanic culture and values within evolving American society. |
Students MUST take the FOUR required courses, and choose TWO more elective courses.
| GEOG 3315, Geography of Latin America | ||||||
| PSCI 4325, Mexican Politics and US-Mexican Relations | ||||||
| HIST 3315, From Columbus to Castro: Introduction to Latin American History | ||||||
| Capstone Seminar (offered on a rotational basis):
|
| HIST 4305, Latin America Through History, Film and Literature |
| HIST 4391, Topics in History (when Latin American topic offered) |
| HIST 4328, Modern Latin America: the 20th Century |
| HIST 4353, Inter-American Relations |
| PSCI 4399, Studies in Political Science (when Latin American topic offered) |
| GEOG 4360, Special Problems in Geography (when Latin American topic offered) |
| SOC 4390, Selected Problems in Sociology (special topic: Provision of Rural Health Services in Honduras) |
|
WLAN 2315, Cultural Traditions (when Latin American topic offered) |
| SPAN 2320, Spanish Conversation and Composition II |
| SPAN 2330, Business Spanish |
| SPAN 3313, Latin-American Civilization |
| SPAN 3321, Hispanic Literature II |
| SPAN 3398, Travel Seminar in Mexico, OR SOC 3398 Travel Seminar in Mexico |
| SPAN 4395, Advanced Hispanic Literature (when Latin American topic offered) |
| SPAN 4396, Studies in Hispanic Civilization (when Latin American topic offered) |
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: Three (3) semester hours of Spanish at the 2000-level or above. Please contact the Coordinator for specific course prerequisites.
For more information contact Dr. Jaime Zambrano, Coordinator, (501) 450-5647.
