Academic Programs>Undergraduate

Latin American Studies Major

With the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
(Major Code: 03081)

All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on "Graduation Requirements." A minor is not required with this major.

>>View the General Catalog
>>Current SDSU Class Schedule

For advising information, please visit our Contact Us page.

>>Download the Major Academic Plan (MAP) for Latin American Studies (.pdf)

Preparation for the major

Latin American Studies 101. Three units of statistics or logic selected from Economics 201; Philosophy 120; Political Science 201; Psychology 270; Sociology 201; Statistics 119, 250. Six units of electives selected from Anthropology 102; Chicana and Chicano Studies 100; Geography 102, 106; History 115, 116; Political Science 103. (12 units)

Language Requirement

Competency equivalent to that normally attained through four college semesters of Spanish or three college semesters of Portuguese or Mixtec (offered in Latin American Studies). Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 10 or above or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.

International Experience

All students must earn a minimum of three units by participating in a Latin American international experience such as study abroad, student exchange, internship, coursework in Tijuana, summer program, or other activities approved by the adviser.

Major

A minimum of 27 upper division units to include three units of international experience and nine upper division core units selected from three different departments: Latin American Studies 350, 366, 498; Anthropology 440, 441; Economics 464; Geography 323, 324; History 415, 416; Political Science 366, 482. The remaining 15 upper division elective units must be selected from courses listed below with no more than nine of the 15 units from any one department. Groups A, B, and C below are for guidance only; it is recommended that students avoid taking too many unrelated courses by concentrating their studies in one or two of the groups. Courses numbered 495, 496, 498, 499, and 596 from all participating departments, with appropriate content, are acceptable for elective credit with approval of the adviser.

Group A: History, Politics, and Economics
Latin American Studies 340, 350, 366, 370, 430, 555, 560, 580; Chicana and Chicano Studies 340A, 350A, 375; Economics 365, 464, 565; History 415, 416, 550, 551, 552, 558; Political Science 361, 366, 430, 482, 566, 567, 568; Public Health 362.

Group B: Cultures and Environments
Latin American Studies 320, 525, 540, 550, 580; Anthropology 350, 440, 441, 442, 520, 529, 533, 540, 582*, 583*; Chicana and Chicano Studies 355, 554, 595; Geography 323, 324, 554*; Political Science 564; Sociology 350, 522, 554, 555; Women’s Studies 310*, 512.

Group C: Arts and Literature
Latin American Studies 307, 580; Africana Studies 464; Anthropology 439; Art 561, 562, 563; Chicana and Chicano Studies 310, 376, 400; Comparative Literature 445, 580*; English 519*; Portuguese 307, 443; Spanish 341, 342, 406A, 406B, 502, 503, 515.

*Acceptable when of relevant content with consent of adviser.

>>Download the Major Checklist (.pdf)

Latin American Studies Minor

The minor in Latin American studies consists of a minimum of 15 units of Latin American content courses, with a minimum of 12 units of upper division courses. In addition, all students must demonstrate language competency equivalent to that normally attained through one college semester of Spanish, Portuguese, or Mixtec. All students must complete Latin American Studies 101 and two upper division courses from two of the three course groups listed below. Maximum six units from any one department.

Group A: History, Politics, and Economics
Latin American Studies 340, 350, 366, 370, 430, 498, 555, 560, 580; Chicana and Chicano Studies 340A, 350A, 375; Economics 365, 464, 565; History 415, 416, 550, 551, 552, 558; Political Science 361, 366, 430, 482, 566, 567, 568; Public Health 362.

Group B: Cultures and Environments
Latin American Studies 320, 525, 540, 550, 580; Anthropology 350, 440, 441, 442, 520, 529, 533, 540, 582*, 583*; Chicana and Chicano Studies 355, 554, 595; Geography 323, 324, 554*; Political Science 564; Sociology 350, 522, 554, 555; Women’s Studies 310*, 512.

Group C: Arts and Literature
Latin American Studies 307, 580; Africana Studies 464; Anthropology 439; Art 561, 562, 563; Chicana and Chicano Studies 310, 376, 400; Comparative Literature 445, 580*; English 519*; Portuguese 307, 443; Spanish 341, 342, 406A, 406B, 502, 503, 515.

Courses numbered 495, 496, 498, 499, and 596 from all participating departments, with appropriate content, are acceptable for elective credit with approval of the adviser.

Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. In designing their Latin American studies programs for a minor, students may not include courses drawn from their major department.

*Acceptable when of relevant content with consent of adviser.

>>Download the Minor Checklist (.pdf)

You may also visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for further information.

>>Download the LATAM 499/798 Special Study Form (.pdf)