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Latin American Studies
First Year Advising 2008-2009
Latin American Studies, Liberal Arts (Code 340-002) – comprehensive major
Latin American Studies, Teaching (Code 340-003) – comprehensive major
Latin American Studies, Liberal Arts (Code 340-202) – standard major
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES MAJORS
By pursuing a broad yet in-depth course of study, Latin American Studies majors are well equipped to enter many fields and occupations--as teachers in the United States or Latin America, as business people sensitized to Latin American history and culture, or as journalists or government employees where contact with Latin America or Latin Americans in the United States is important. Those subsequently receiving professional degrees (e.g., in law or medicine) also could benefit from the background provided by the Latin American Studies major.
The spectrum of courses within the multidisciplinary curriculum of Latin American Studies provides students with the knowledge and skills to meet the academic goals of the university while preparing them to become engaged in activities relevant to Latin America and Latino communities in the United States.
Majors develop language proficiency in Spanish and have a broad range of courses from which to choose in art history, economics, foreign languages, history, and political science.
Students choose between three majors: a Comprehensive Liberal Arts Major (60 credits); a Standard Liberal Arts major (36 credits) or a Comprehensive Teaching major leading to K-12 certification in Spanish.
Students complete between 17 and 33 credits of Spanish beyond 201, depending on the major, plus courses in Social Sciences and Humanities related to Latin America.
COURSE SELECTION
- All majors must take LAS 150, Introduction to Latin American Studies.
- Language credit in the major begins with Spanish 202, although a student’s initial Spanish course will depend on the placement examination results.
- All majors take a variety of social science and humanities courses, which usually fulfill the G.E. humanities requirement and can fulfill the Social Science requirement for the Liberal Arts majors.
- Since many of the courses required for the major are not offered every semester, students should take the courses as soon as they are available.
- All majors are required to study abroad for a semester in an approved program.
COURSES TO BE AVOIDED
None, but students must observe the course prerequisites as stated in the Catalogue.
GENERAL EDUCATION
Schedules should include one or two General Education requirements each semester.
Note: The General Education for Liberal Arts and teaching majors are different - consult the Catalogue. Be aware that:
- Span 201, Span 202, Span 301, and Span 302 can be used to fulfill GE-IA.
- LAS 150, Econ 356, Pols 319, and Pols 320 can be used to fulfill GE-III.
- Arth/AIS 335 can be used to fulfill GE-IVA.
- Rels/AIS 330 can be used to fulfill GE-IVB.
- Hist 410, Hist 411 can be used to fulfill GE-IVC.
- Span 352, Span 367 and FLTR courses can be used to fulfill GE-IVD.
- Courses from the department of the student's major or minor may be applied in more than one category of General Education requirements, but no more than 10 credits from any one prefix can be counted toward GE requirements.
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
Courses for the First Year
- Students should take a Spanish course each semester.
- LAS 150 should be taken during the fall semester.
- Since the remainder of the courses for the major are upper division, freshmen should take other General Education courses to complete their schedules.
NOTES ON SELECTED STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
Summer in Cuernavaca, Mexico
Students in the Latin American Studies track take Span 352 (Contemporary Spanish American Civilization, 3 credits), plus a 3-credit course such as History of Mexican Art, History of Mexico, or Business in Mexico.
Semester in San Jose, Costa Rica
Students take courses in Spanish, at the appropriate level, and courses in English such as History of Civilization of Central America, Art and Architecture, Environmental Science and Conservation of Sustainability.
Semester in Santiago, Chile
Students can take courses in Spanish and in a variety of subjects related to Latin America.
A student should consult with a Latin American Studies adviser regarding the courses to be taken while abroad. Courses which are available abroad can often be used in substitution for courses offered at UW-Eau Claire. These should include Spanish at the level of 300 or higher or Social Science or Humanities courses.
MINORS
A liberal arts minor in Latin American Studies can complement the major of any student who would like to work in Latin America or with Latin Americans living in the United States. The minor includes 13 credits of Spanish beginning at Spanish 202, plus 8 credits of Humanities and Social Sciences that can be used for General Education.
MESSAGES FOR NEW MAJORS
Students are encouraged to join the Latin American Studies Club for further Spanish practice and cultural information. Students who have taken at least one literature course and have a GPA of 3.25 in Spanish and 3.0 overall are eligible for Sigma Delta Pi, the National Hispanic Honor Society. Students are also encouraged to keep abreast of issues concerning Latin America through media, scholarly publications, and campus events. Contact with alumni through such events can provide helpful information about job opportunities involving Spanish. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the LAS week in the fall.
FOR FUTHER INFORMATION
http:/www.uwec.edu/las/index.htm
Dr. Eva Santos-Phillips
Latin American Studies Coordinator
Professor of Foreign Languages
Hibbard Humanities Hall 368
Phone: (715) 836-4215
santosel@uwec.edu
To learn how to declare this major, visit http://www.uwec.edu/registrar/chgofmajor/procedures/index.htm
Academic requirements change every year. For the most current information, refer to your catalogue and degree audit.