Latin American Studies, B.A.

The Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies requires a minimum of 120 units, which includes courses for the major, General Education, electives, and all university requirements. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies must be in good standing with the university and must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75. Before enrolling in upper-division courses, students must complete designated lower-division courses.

The B.A. in Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree designed to give students an understanding of the region from diverse disciplines and perspectives. Students are strongly encouraged to spend a semester abroad studying in Latin America, Spain, or Portugal. Majors should also develop proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese by graduation. High school students preparing to enter the program should not have less than three years of study in either Spanish or Portuguese.

The B.A. in Latin American Studies prepares students for graduate studies or employment in government services or international organizations. It also provides a strong foundation for students who wish to teach at the secondary school level, at a two-year college, or at the university level. Students are also prepared for careers in the private sector with an emphasis in international business or specialized focus on Latin America.

Major Requirements (33 units)

Core (15 units)

15 units to be selected from the following:

Senior Project (3 units)

Choose among:

CLAS 150 - Research Methods Units: 3
CLAS 172S - Migration in the Americas Units: 3
HIST 169T - Studies in Latin American History Units: 1-3
ECON 190 - Independent Study Units: 1-3

Electives (15 units)

AIS 103 - California American Indians Units: 3
ANTH 130 - Peoples and Cultures of the Southwest Units: 3
ANTH 141 - Prehistory of North America Units: 3
ANTH 143 - Archaeology and Prehistory of California Units: 3
CLAS 112 - Pre-Hispanic Civilizations Units: 3
CLAS 114 - Mexico and the Southwest 1810-1910 Units: 3
CLAS 115 - Mexico-U.S. Relations Since-1910 Units: 3
CLAS 128 - Latinx Politics Units: 3
CLAS 171 - Multicultural Brazil Units: 3
CLAS 172S - Migration in the Americas Units: 3
CLAS 173 - Latin American Politics Units: 3
ECON 114 - Economic Development of Poor Nations Units: 3
ECON 179 - International Political Economy Units: 3
GEOG 170T - Latin American Regions Units: 1-3
HIST 145 - Spain and Portugal Units: 3
HIST 160 - The Great American Civilizations: Maya, Aztec, Inca Units: 3
HIST 162 - South America Units: 3
HIST 165 - Modern Mexico Units: 3
HIST 167 - Social Revolution in Latin America Units: 3
HIST 169T - Studies in Latin American History Units: 1-3
HIST 183 - The Hispanic Southwest Units: 3
PLSI 146T - Area Studies in Latin America Units: 1-4
PLSI 148 - Latin American Politics Units: 3
ARTH 170 - Native North American Units: 3
ARTH 173 - Pre-Columbian Mexico Units: 3
ARTH 175 - Pre-Columbian Andes Units: 3
HUM 130 - Latin American Cultures and Traditions Units: 3
SPAN 125 - Hispanic Cultural Productions (taught in Spanish) Units: 3
SPAN 129 - Mexican Culture (taught in Spanish) Units: 3
SPAN 143 - Introduction to Spanish-American Literature Units: 3
SPAN 145 - Mexican Literature Units: 3
SPAN 147 - Twentieth Century Spanish-American Literature Units: 3

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
General Education Requirements (48 units)
Multicultural and International (MI)
Upper-division Writing
Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Total Units: 120*

*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. See advisor for details.

Note: A semester abroad in Spain, Portugal or a Latin American country can replace the senior project. The academic components of such a study abroad program would include application of key concepts, comparative analysis of the culture, description and discussion of current political/social issues, and analysis of the impact of globalization on the country visited.