Latin American and Latino Studies Program
Important Note: This is the archived version of the 2013–2015 Undergraduate Catalog. The information on these pages was archived on August 6, 2013 and will not be updated as requirement and/or program changes are approved. Please see www.uic.edu/ucat for the most up-to-date requirements.
BA with a Major in Latin American and Latino StudiesMinor in Latin American and Latino Studies
Distinction
1527 University Hall (UH)
(312) 996-2445
http://www.uic.edu/las/latamst/
Administration: Director, Maria de los Angeles Torres
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Cristián Roa, roa@uic.edu
The program in Latin American Studies and Latino Studies seeks to provide students with an understanding of the history, cultures, and contemporary issues of Latin Americans and Latinos in the U.S. using interdisciplinary approaches. Courses for the major and minor cover Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America as well as urbanization and social and political processes among Latino groups in Chicago and throughout the United States. Comparative and diverse developmental perspectives illuminate linkages among the countries and peoples of the Americas. A major or minor in Latin American and Latino Studies can serve as a useful basis for careers in public service, business, professional, or academic life related to Latin America or U.S. Latinos.
Requirements are designed so that students acquire a general background in both Latin American and Latino studies in the lower-division courses. Students have the option to pursue a general curriculum by taking an equal amount of upper-division courses in Latin American and Latino Studies or to pursue an area of specialization in either Latin American or Latino Studies by taking more upper-division courses in one of the two areas. Students may also choose to take courses in a particular disciplinary area of the humanities (history and cultural studies) or the social sciences (anthropology, political science, sociology) or a combination of these areas. Students are strongly encouraged to take at least one course on Mexico.
BA with a Major in Latin American and Latino Studies
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and program degree requirements. The Latin American and Latino Studies Program degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| BA with a Major in Latin American and Latino Studies Degree Requirements | Hours |
| Major Requirements | 33–36 |
| Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 4 |
| General Education and Electives to reach Minimum Total Hours | 80–83 |
| Total Hours—BA with a Major in Latin American and Latino Studies | 120 |
General Education
See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements.
Major Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts, 33 semester hours are required as distributed below. For the Bachelor of Arts with highest academic distinction, 36 semester hours are required as distributed below:
| Courses | Hours |
| LALS 101—Introduction to Latin American Studiesab | 3 |
| LALS 102—Introduction to Latino Studiesbc | 3 |
| Three 200-level courses | 9 |
| LALS 301—Research Methods in Latin American and Latino Studiesd | 3 |
| One additional 100- or 200-level course | 3 |
| Two additional 300-level courses | 6 |
| Two 400-level courses | 6 |
| LALS 302—Research Workshop in Latin American and Latino Studies (Required for highest departmental distinction only) | 3 |
| Total Hours—Major Requirements | 33–36 |
a This course is approved for the Exploring World Cultures General Education category.
b This course is approved for the Understanding the Past General Education category.
c This course is approved for the Understanding U.S. Society General Education category.
d LALS 301 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
Prerequisite and Collateral Courses
| Courses | Hours |
| One of the following courses: | 4 |
| SPAN 104—Topics in Spanish Language and Culture (4) |
|
| SPAN 114—Spanish for Students from Hispanic Background III (4) | |
| Total Hours—Prerequisite and Collateral Courses | 4 |
To view a recommended plan of study for the major in Latin American and Latino Studies, please visit the LAS website http://www.las.uic.edu/students/prospective-undergraduate/degree-programs/four-year-model-plans.
Minor in Latin American and Latino Studies
Students from other disciplines who want to minor in Latin American and Latino Studies must complete 18 credit hours as outlined below:
| Required Courses—Latin American and Latino Studies Minor | Hours |
| LALS 101—Introduction to Latin American Studies | 3 |
| LALS 102—Introduction to Latino Studies | 3 |
| Two 200-level LALS courses | 6 |
| One 300-level LALS course | 3 |
| One 400-level LALS course | 3 |
| Total Hours—Latin American and Latino Studies Minor | 18 |
To be considered for distinction, students must obtain a 3.00/4.00 overall GPA, plus the following:
- 3.50/4.00 GPA in the major for Distinction;
- 3.75/4.00 GPA in the major for High Distinction;
- 3.75/4.00 GPA in the major, LALS 302, and completion of a senior thesis for Highest Distinction.
