Curriculum Requirements

Gateway Course
LAS 101Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies3
Advanced Language Proficiency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole
Select one of the following:3
Advanced Spanish
Advanced French
Intermediate Haitian Creole I (or equivalent)
Intermediate Portuguese II
Secondary Language Competence in another Latin American or Caribbean Language
Select one of the following:3
Accelerated Elementary Spanish
Accelerated Elementary French
Beginning Portuguese for Spanish Speakers
Elementary Haitian Creole II (or equivalent)
A Latin American, Caribbean, or Indigenous language course in the DILS program
Upper Division LAS Courses
Select two courses in Latin American history6
Select six LAS, LAS cross-listed, or LAS Director approved classes 118
Select one of the following:3
Independent Study in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Interdisciplinary in Latin American and Caribbean
Internship in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Civic Engagement in Latin America
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 106First-Year Writing II3
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 108Precalculus Mathematics II ( (or higher))3
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts & Humanities or People and Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
People and Society or Arts and Humanities Cognate (depending on which is fulfilled through the major)9
STEM Cognate9
Additional Required Courses
UMX 100The University of Miami Experience0
Minor (not LAS)15
Electives to 120 credits42
Total Credit Hours120
*

A C- or better for all major courses, with a GPA of 2.0 are required for successful completion of the LAS Major.

1

12 credit hours (4 classes) of which must be completed at the 300-level or higher. Courses that are not combined with LAS but do have a significant focus on Latin America may be taken with the approval of the academic director. A freshman seminar with a significant focus (25% or more) on Latin America or the Caribbean may be counted towards this requirement. SPA 203 and FRE 203  may be counted towards this requirement if not used to satisfy the aforementioned language requirements.

Disclaimer: This is a model plan of study only. It is not guaranteed that every course will be available in the year/semester noted below.

Suggested Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
LAS 101 Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3
MTH 113 Finite Mathematics 3
UMX 100 The University of Miami Experience 0
Natural Science Course 3
Language Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
WRS 106 First-Year Writing II 3
LAS 301 Interdisciplinary Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3
POL 203 Introduction to International Relations 3
LAS Language Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall
LAS 330 Special Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Religions 3
ECO 211 Principles of Microeconomics 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
STEM Cognate Course 3
Minor Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
LAS 350 Special Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Art and Culture 3
LAS Language Course 3
STEM Cognate Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
Minor Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Three
Fall
LAS 340 Special Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Economics 3
LAS 491 Debates on Current Issues in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
STEM Cognate Course 3
Minor Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
LAS 494 Independent Study in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3
HIS 554 Studies in Modern Latin American History 3
LAS Language Course 3
Minor Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall
LAS 411 Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean 3
LAS 495 Senior Honors Thesis I 3
LAS 505 Internship in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3
LAS 520 Interdisciplinary Topics in Latin American and Caribbean Environments 3
Minor Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
LAS 496 Senior Honors Thesis II 3
LAS Language Course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120

Mission

The mission of the B.A. in Latin American Studies is to prepare students as they acquire knowledge of the history, literature, culture, politics, economics, and natural sciences of the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. This knowledge acquisition should occur within an interdisciplinary framework that emphasizes the languages of the Hispanophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Americas, and which includes the transnational study of Latin American and Caribbean diasporic communities in the United States.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students should graduate from the program with a deep understanding of Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as of the individual countries within the region, as acquired through internships, travel and study abroad.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in Latin American regional learning, a critical analysis of and an engagement with complex, interdependent regional systems and legacies (such as natural, physical, social, cultural, economic, and political) and the lives and sustainable development of the region.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in inquiry and analysis. Inquiry is a systematic process of exploring issues/ objects/works through the collection and analysis of evidence that result in informed conclusions/ judgments. Analysis is the process of breaking complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.