The Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies

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

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 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. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

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

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

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

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

Any upper-division Writing (W) course.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

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.

Course Requirements for the Major: 28-40 units

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

4-16 units required:

A minimum fourth-semester competency (e.g., SPAN 202) in Portuguese or Spanish is required for Latin American Studies majors. Students interested in Portuguese can fulfill this language requirement by taking third- and fourth-semester Portuguese from an accredited program either in the United States or through study abroad. 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
PORT 101A	Beginning Portuguese I	4.0	FS	GE
Introduction to Portuguese language and its associated cultures. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Portuguese. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (007752)
PORT 102A	Beginning Portuguese II	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: PORT 101A. Continuation of PORT 101A. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Portuguese. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (007754)
SPAN 101	First-Semester Spanish	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: 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
Prerequisite: 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
Prerequisite: 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 201N	Spanish for Spanish Speakers	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: Faculty permission. Reviewing and expanding of language skills possessed by speakers of Spanish who have not studied the language formally. This course includes composition and reading. Particular focus on the Mexican-American/Latino experience. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009123)
SPAN 202	Fourth-Semester Spanish	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: 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)
SPAN 202N	Spanish for Spanish Speakers	4.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: Faculty permission. Further reviewing and expanding of language skills possessed by speakers of Spanish who have not studied the language formally. Builds on topics studied in SPAN 201N. This course includes composition and reading. Particular focus on the Mexican-American/Latino experience. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009126)

3 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 495W	Seminar in Selected Topics (W)	3.0	SP	GW W
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, 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. This is an approved Writing Course. (005384)
LAST 120	Latin American Film and Culture	3.0	FS	GE GC
This course examines films made by Latin American and non-Latin American filmmakers as a means of introducing students to the history of cultures of Latin America from the pre-conquest to the present. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (021121)

15 units selected from:

Select at least 3 units from each group A, B, and C below.

Group A: Art and Literature

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTH 471W	Ancient Mexican Art (W)	3.0	INQ	W
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. This is an approved Writing Course. (000841)
ARTH 472W	Maya Art (W)	3.0	INQ	W
An investigation of the art of the ancient Maya of Mexico and Central America prior to European contact, from the Preclassic to Postclassic periods. The relationship of art to religious beliefs and practices will be explored, as well as the development of local styles associated with royal courts. Sites discussed include Tikal, Palenque, Copan, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. (020618)
ARTH 473W	Meso-American/Colonial Art (W)	3.0	INQ	W
Prerequisites: ARTH 120. This course is also offered as CHLX 473W. 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. This is an approved Writing Course. (000842)
ARTH 474W	Ancient Andean Art (W)	3.0	INQ	W
An investigation of the art of Peru and adjacent regions prior to European contact. The relationship of art to religious beliefs and practices, political ideologies, and the significance of styles and technologies are examined. Cultures surveyed include Chavin, Paracas, Nasca, Moche, Tiwanaku, and Inka, as well as the Northern Andean civilizations such as San Agustin. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. (020619)
CHLX 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. Formerly CHST 454. (001984)
CHLX 473W	Meso-American/Colonial Art (W)	3.0	INQ	W
Prerequisites: ARTH 120. This course is also offered as ARTH 473W. 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. This is an approved Writing Course. Formerly CHST 473W. (000842)
LAST 305	Music of Latin America	3.0	FA
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Arts (C1) requirement or faculty permission. This course is also offered as MUSC 305. This is a survey of the diverse musical cultures of Latin America. Representative examples are drawn from the traditions of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Brazil, including both folk and popular idioms. This an upper division course and is intended for students who have had an introductory course in music or fine arts and have some vocabulary that enables them to discuss musical expression. 3 hours lecture. (021709)
SPAN 332	Latin American Culture and Civilization	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: SPAN 301 or faculty permission. A survey of the cultural, social, economic, and political heritage of Latin America and its evolution into contemporary Latin American society. 3 hours discussion. (009155)
SPAN 341	Introduction to Latin American Literature	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: SPAN 301. Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. The works studied will be short stories, full-length plays, and Hispanic-American narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 341 and SPAN 342 are required of all majors and count as electives for the minor. Either fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009140)
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 CHLX 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 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

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
HIST 380	Colonial Latin America	3.0	INQ	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 Global Cultures course. (004568)
HIST 381	Modern Latin America	3.0	SP	GE GC
A survey of Latin America since independence from Iberia, highlighting the chaotic years of post-independence state building, the region's integration into the global capitalist economy and the age of mass politics and revolutionary ferment after 1930. The final weeks focus on Latin 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	Modern Mexico	3.0	FA	GE GC
This course is also offered as LAST 382. An interdisciplinary approach to the history and politics of Mexico. This course will introduce students to the panorama of Mexican history since 1810 while delineating the roots and development of the current Mexican political system. 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)
LAST 382	Modern Mexico	3.0	FA	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 since 1810 while delineating the roots and development of the current Mexican political system. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. Formerly LAST 350. (004558)

Group C: Social Sciences

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ANTH 437	International Development and Globalization	3.0	INQ
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 357	Lands and Peoples of Latin America	3.0	FS	GE GC
This course is also offered as LAST 357. Study of the physical environment, human settlement, development, and modern problems of the nations of Latin America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (021143)
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 357	Lands and Peoples of Latin America	3.0	FS	GE GC
This course is also offered as GEOG 357. Study of the physical environment, human settlement, development, and modern problems of the nations of Latin America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (021143)
LAST 489	Intercult Experiential Lrng	1.0 -6.0	FS
Prerequisites: 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.

Advising Requirement:

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