The Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See General Education Requirements in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education Requirements.

U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units

See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Literacy Requirement:

See Math and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 30-46 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

0-16 units required:

A minimum language competency through the level of SPAN 202 is required for Latin American Studies majors. Students who have met the language competency prior to enrollment should see the major advisor regarding completion of requirements.

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
SPAN 101	First-Semester Spanish	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 is not available for credit to students with two or more years of Spanish within the last three years. Introduction to Spanish language and culture. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009113)
SPAN 102	Second-Semester Spanish	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or equivalent. Continuation of SPAN 101. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009118)
SPAN 201	Third-Semester Spanish	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or equivalent. Reviewing and expanding of language skills and cultural concepts introduced in SPAN 101 and SPAN 102. This course includes composition and reading. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009121)
SPAN 202	Fourth-Semester Spanish	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or equivalent. Reviewing and expanding of language skills and cultural concepts introduced in SPAN 101, SPAN 102, and SPAN 201. This course includes composition and reading. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009120)

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
LAST 110	Introduction to Latin American Studies	3.0	FS	GE GC
A survey of the history, geography, culture, and society of Latin America. This course is designed to provide students who are majoring in Latin American Studies, as well as General Education students, with an initial orientation in the study of Latin America on an interdisciplinary basis. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (015750)
LAST 495	Seminar in Selected Topics	3.0	SP	GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, LAST 110. An in-depth, interdisciplinary seminar that examines selected topics in Latin American culture and society, past and present, through critical reading of, and commentary on, recent scholarship devoted to the region. Readings may include Spanish language sources. Topics vary by semester. Required for majors and minors. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (005384)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
HIST 380	History of Colonial Latin America: Race, Ethnicity, and Class	3.0	FA	GE GC
An historical survey of pre-Columbian and colonial Latin America, with emphasis on Aztec and Inca societies, Iberia's military, economic, and spiritual conquest, and the ways in which diverse colonial subjects resisted, adapted to, and assimilated colonial rule. Concludes by considering popular and elite culture in the late colonial period and tensions leading toward independence. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004568)
HIST 381	Modern South America	3.0	SP	GE GC
A survey of South America since independence from Iberia, highlighting the chaotic years of post-independence state building, the region's integration into the global capitalist economy in the late nineteenth century, and the age of mass politics and revolutionary ferment after 1930. The final weeks focus on South America's experience with military dictatorship and current transitions to democracy. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004495)

18-21 units selected from:

Select at least 3 units from each group A, B, and C below. No more than 6 units may be counted from Group D. If language competency was established without your taking any language courses, you must take 21 units from the courses listed below, for a total of 30 units which are required for the major.

Group A: Literature

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
CHST 354	Chicano Literature	3.0	FS	GE USD
This course is also offered as SPAN 354. A study of the Chicano people as reflected in selected films and literature. Reading, discussions, and reports will be in English. This is a service course for non-majors and not elective for a BA degree or minor in Spanish. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (001977)
CHST 454	Chicano Literature	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. This course is also offered as SPAN 454. A study of the Chicano people as reflected in selected films and literature. Discussions will be in Spanish, readings in English and Spanish, reports in Spanish. 3 hours seminar. (001984)
LAST 352	Mexico: Literature and Arts	3.0	FS	GE GC
An interdisciplinary examination of how Mexican literature and the arts reflect the social and cultural roots of the people of Mexcio. This course is a component of the General Education Upper-Division Thematic Program on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (005377)
SPAN 354	Chicano Literature	3.0	FS	GE USD
This course is also offered as CHST 354. A study of the Chicano people as reflected in selected films and literature. Reading, discussions, and reports will be in English. This is a service course for non-majors and not elective for a BA degree or minor in Spanish. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (001977)
SPAN 441	Hispanic Short Story	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Study of leading short story writers from Spain and Latin America, with background readings and reports on representative authors. Emphasis on contemporary works. 3 hours seminar. (009159)
SPAN 442	Hispanic Theater	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Readings, discussions, reports, and oral interpretation of major dramatic works of Latin America and Spain. 3 hours discussion. (009161)
SPAN 443	Hispanic Novel	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Analysis of representative novels from Latin America and Spain. 3 hours discussion. (009167)
SPAN 444	Hispanic Poetry	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Study of the leading poets of Spain and Latin America. 3 hours discussion. (009172)
SPAN 451	Literature of Mexico	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Readings and reports on literature of Mexico from pre-Columbian to contemporary literature. 3 hours discussion. (009168)
SPAN 452	Viewing the Hispanic Caribbean	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301, SPAN 302; either SPAN 341 or SPAN 342 (may be taken concurrently). Critical analysis of literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, utilizing reading, discussion, oral reports, and written projects. 3 hours lecture. (009170)
SPAN 454	Chicano Literature	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. This course is also offered as CHST 454. A study of the Chicano people as reflected in selected films and literature. Discussions will be in Spanish, readings in English and Spanish, reports in Spanish. 3 hours seminar. (001984)
SPAN 471	Women and Literature in the Hispanic World	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Women in Spanish-speaking society. An approach to culture via a study of women as literary subjects and as writers. The idealization and reality of their existence as reflected through Spanish and Latin American literature. 3 hours discussion. (009182)
SPAN 472	Oral and Written Traditions of the Spanish Speaking World	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Study of the diverse oral and written traditions that both predate and coexist with the literary tradition in Spanish. Topics may include oral narrative such as legends, myths, proverbs, religious beliefs; oral practices in verse such as the troubadour tradition, anonymous epic poetry, popular songs and ballads, and corridos; and written practices such as testimonies, autobiographies, and epistles. 3 hours seminar. (009178)
SPAN 481	Film and Literature in Spain and Latin America	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission. Students will consider the elements that constitute literary and cinematic masterpieces by examining films based on a variety of texts: epic poetry, drama, short story, legend, novel, zarzuela, and filmscript. The films will represent the cultural and linguistic diversity in areas of Spain and Latin America. 3 hours discussion. (009183)

Group B: History and the Arts

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ANTH 422	Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Peru	3.0	INQ
A comparative study of the prehistoric cultural traditions of the Mesoamerican and Andean regions. The Aztec, Inca, Maya, and their predecessors viewed as case studies in cultural evolution in the New World. 3 hours lecture. (000568)
ARTH 471	Ancient Mexican Art	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: ARTH 101 and ARTH 102 for art majors. A survey of ancient Mexican art and culture of formative, classic, conquest, including the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Mxtec, Classic Gulf Coast, Toltec, and Aztec. Sites discussed include El Tajin, La Venta, Monte Alban, Milta, Tula, and Tenochtitlan 3 hours lecture. (000841)
ARTH 473	Meso-American/Colonial Art	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: ARTH 101 and ARTH 102 for art majors. This course is also offered as CHST 406. A survey of Mexican art and culture from the Cortesian Conquest, the Colonial Period of monastery- and church-building, the Revolution of 1810, the Revolution of 1910, and the painters of the great revolutionary mural movement that followed, Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueriros, to contemporary artists who have tended toward international pluralism. Attention is given to the process of acculturation that produced the modern Mexican peoples, their national character, and their contemporary art. 3 hours lecture. (000842)
CHST 406	Meso-American/Colonial Art	3.0	INQ
Prerequisites: ARTH 101 and ARTH 102 for art majors. This course is also offered as ARTH 473. A survey of Mexican art and culture from the Cortesian Conquest, the Colonial Period of monastery- and church-building, the Revolution of 1810, the Revolution of 1910, and the painters of the great revolutionary mural movement that followed, Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueriros, to contemporary artists who have tended toward international pluralism. Attention is given to the process of acculturation that produced the modern Mexican peoples, their national character, and their contemporary art. 3 hours lecture. (000842)
HIST 380	History of Colonial Latin America: Race, Ethnicity, and Class	3.0	FA	GE GC
An historical survey of pre-Columbian and colonial Latin America, with emphasis on Aztec and Inca societies, Iberia's military, economic, and spiritual conquest, and the ways in which diverse colonial subjects resisted, adapted to, and assimilated colonial rule. Concludes by considering popular and elite culture in the late colonial period and tensions leading toward independence. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004568)
HIST 381	Modern South America	3.0	SP	GE GC
A survey of South America since independence from Iberia, highlighting the chaotic years of post-independence state building, the region's integration into the global capitalist economy in the late nineteenth century, and the age of mass politics and revolutionary ferment after 1930. The final weeks focus on South America's experience with military dictatorship and current transitions to democracy. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004495)
HIST 382	History and Politics of Mexico	3.0	FS	GE GC
This course is also offered as LAST 350. An interdisciplinary approach to the history and politics of Mexico. This course will introduce students to the panorama of Mexican history while delineating the roots and development of the current Mexican political system. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004558)
HIST 480	Social Revolution in Latin America	3.0	INQ
This course explores twentieth-century social revolutions in Mexico, Cuba, Chile and Nicaragua. Additional consideration will be given to more recent phenomena in Venezuela and the Mexican state of Chiapas. Evaluates the role played by class, ethnicity, and gender in these movements and considers whether the driving force of social revolution in Latin America is Marxism or nationalist/anti-imperialism. 3 hours seminar. (004647)
INST 301	International Forum	1.0	FS
A series of presentations on a wide variety of topics of international concern. Lectures, debates, and panel discussions on areas of current international importance. 1 hour lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (004875)
LAST 350	History and Politics of Mexico	3.0	FS	GE GC
This course is also offered as HIST 382. An interdisciplinary approach to the history and politics of Mexico. This course will introduce students to the panorama of Mexican history while delineating the roots and development of the current Mexican political system. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004558)

Group C: Social Sciences

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ANTH 367	Societies of Latin America and the Caribbean	3.0	INQ
Survey of the anthropology of Mexico, Mesoamerica, South America, and the islands of the Caribbean. This course emphasizes historical change, religious diversity, and transnational economic developments to understand the syntheses of indigenous, African, and European traditions in the region today. 3 hours lecture. (000521)
ANTH 368	Indigenous People of Latin America	3.0	SP	GE GC
Study of the Native peoples of South America, Mexico, and Central America from European contact to the present. The course emphasizes contemporary ethnography and interaction of indigenous people with colonialism and the modern nation-state. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (000522)
ANTH 437	International Development and Globalization	3.0	S2
Explores the historical and contemporary global movements of people, commodities, technology and ideas. Surveys the impacts of colonial relationships on the contemporary world, post-colonialism and the rise of the development era, and contemporary trends resulting in the increased social and cultural integration and differentiation of individuals and groups around the world. 3 hours lecture. (000582)
GEOG 354	Land and People of Mexico	3.0	FA	GE GC
This course is also offered as LAST 354. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of social institutions and culture in terms of family, neighborhood, community, region, and nation, with specific emphasis on Mexico. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (003903)
GEOG 355	Land and People of Central America and the Caribbean	3.0	SP	GE GC
This course is also offered as LAST 355. Study of the physical environment, human settlement, development, and modern problems of the nations of Central America and the Caribbean. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (003905)
GEOG 356	South America	3.0	INQ
A survey of the physical and cultural environments of South America. Emphasis will be given to the interrelationships between the people and the land, the cultural similarities and differences of Spanish and Portuguese South America, and the resulting contemporary environment. 3 hours discussion. (003907)
INST 301	International Forum	1.0	FS
A series of presentations on a wide variety of topics of international concern. Lectures, debates, and panel discussions on areas of current international importance. 1 hour lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (004875)
LAST 321	Comparative Politics of Central America and the Caribbean Basin	3.0	INQ	GE GC
This course is also offered as POLS 321. An interdisciplinary survey of the politics of Central America and the Caribbean Basin. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (005381)
LAST 354	Land and People of Mexico	3.0	FA	GE GC
This course is also offered as GEOG 354. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of social institutions and culture in terms of family, neighborhood, community, region, and nation, with specific emphasis on Mexico. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (003903)
LAST 355	Land and People of Central America and the Caribbean	3.0	SP	GE GC
This course is also offered as GEOG 355. Study of the physical environment, human settlement, development, and modern problems of the nations of Central America and the Caribbean. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (003905)
POLS 321	Comparative Politics of Central America and the Caribbean Basin	3.0	INQ	GE GC
This course is also offered as LAST 321. An interdisciplinary survey of the politics of Central America and the Caribbean Basin. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (005381)
POLS 415C	Comparative Government: Latin America	3.0	FA
A study of the similarities and differences of the Latin American republics, concentrating on structures of government, historical traditions, political parties, and the role of the military. After a general introduction to these topics and the area, the class will emphasize an in-depth study of selected Latin American nations. 3 hours lecture. (007534)
POLS 446C	Inter-American Relations	3.0	SP
Patterns of inter-American relations will be explored, with special attention to the effects of dependency on the American states and their reactions to it. Collaboration, avoidance, and resistance by Latin Americans will be examined within the context of the use of diplomacy and of military, political, and economic force by differing groups on both sides. 3 hours lecture. (007567)

Group D: General

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
LAST 351	Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America	3.0	FS	GE GC
Prerequisites: Completion of the lower-division GE Breadth Area B requirement or faculty permission. LAST 351 explores the natural and human-modified environments of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It introduces students to the biological and physical processes that create the natural environments of the region and examines the complex interactions between people and these environments, both past and present. This course is designed to be the Area B course in the General Education Upper-Division Theme I: Mexico and Central America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (005379)
LAST 489	Intercult Experiential Lrng	1.0 -6.0	FS
Prerequisites: LAST 150, faculty permission. This course will provide students with a genuine cross-cultural experience which will enable them to understand Latin American life from the point of view of the Latin American family with which they will live and the Latin American people with whom they will work. Students will live with a Latin American family and work in a Latin American organization for a six-week period. Students will keep a log of their experiences and prepare a written evaluation of their families and jobs. 6 hours discussion. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. (005385)

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.