Latin American Studies Major
Major Description
Latin American Studies (LAST) majors engage in the study of Latin American and Caribbean cultures, histories, socioeconomic conditions, politics, and societies from several disciplinary perspectives. Students take at least six courses related to Latin America, at least four courses in a department of concentration (currently Anthropology, History, Government, Economics, Hispanic Literatures and Cultures, or Theater), complete a research requirement (a 20+ page paper on a Latin American topic), and complete Stage II of the General Education Expectations. At least seven of the ten courses required to complete the major must be taken at Wesleyan. Students who wish to study abroad in Latin America can count up to three courses taken there in order to satisfy the stipulated requirements.
Admission to the Major
Admission to the Latin American Studies major requires (a) competence in Spanish; (b) an academic record that shows ability both in Latin American Studies and in the intended department of concentration; and (c) a judgment by the core Latin American Studies faculty that a prospective major is likely to be able to maintain a grade point average of B- or better in all courses taken at Wesleyan that are cross-listed with Latin American Studies. Find details on how to apply here.
Major Requirements
Ten semester courses are required to complete the Latin American Studies major, at least six in Latin American Studies, and at least four in a department of concentration. The four concentration courses need not be cross-listed with Latin American Studies. Concentration options include only departments with a Latin American Studies faculty member, which are currently Anthropology, History, Government, Economics, Hispanic Literatures and Cultures, and Theater.
The purpose of the concentration is to assure that the student majoring in Latin American Studies, which is an interdisciplinary program, has mastered the substance and methods of at least one established academic discipline. Accordingly, Latin American Studies majors may not concentrate in another program (e.g., Science in Society), or in an interdisciplinary department (e.g., American Studies), or in a college (e.g., College of Social Studies). Of course, the Program does not preclude its majors from minoring or double-majoring in any program, department, or college they choose.
To graduate as a Latin American Studies major, students must maintain an average of B- or better in all courses taken at Wesleyan that are cross-listed in the Latin American Studies major (regardless of whether a student elects to include each such course on the major certification form), complete a research requirement paper (see details here), and complete Stage II of the General Education Expectations.
Mandatory Latin American Studies courses at Wesleyan: Of the ten courses required to complete the Latin American Studies major, at least seven must be taken at Wesleyan. On petition to the chair, an exception may be made for (1) students who transferred to Wesleyan and who seek LAST major credit for courses taken at their previous institution(s) or (2) students participating in the Twelve-College Exchange Program who seek LAST major credit for courses taken at one of the other participating colleges.
Of the six LAST courses counted toward the major, at least four must be taken at Wesleyan. At least two of the six LAST courses must be cross-listed with Wesleyan Social and Behavioral Science department courses (SBS designation) and at least two must be cross-listed with Wesleyan Humanities and Arts department courses (HA designation). Of the two courses cross-listed with Humanities and Arts department courses, one must be LAST 226, Survey of Latin American Literature, Cultures, and Ideas. This required course is taught in Spanish. Admission to the major requires competence in Spanish.
Non-Latin American Studies courses at Wesleyan that may count toward the Latin American Studies major: In exceptional circumstances, Wesleyan courses that have significant Latin American content but are not cross-listed with Latin American Studies may count toward the major. Students must petition the Latin American Studies chair to obtain Latin American Studies major credit for such courses.
Courses at Wesleyan that may NOT count toward the Latin American Studies major: No Spanish language courses (100-level or SPAN 203, Spanish for Heritage Speakers) may count toward the major. The only SPAN courses that may count toward the major are SPAN 221 and SPAN courses numbered higher than SPAN 221 that focus on Latin America (usually numbered SPAN 270 to SPAN 299). If the Latin American Studies major's concentration is HISP, however, courses numbered SPAN 225 to SPAN 269 may be counted toward the four concentration courses required to complete the LAST major, provided that no such course has also been counted toward the six LAST courses required to complete the major.
No student forum courses may count toward the Latin American Studies major. Also, Latin American Studies does not sponsor student forum courses.
Restrictions on counting particular types of courses toward the Latin American Studies major:
No more than one introductory (100-level) course in a student’s department of concentration.
No more than one music course involving primarily or exclusively performance.
No more than one thesis tutorial credit.
Courses for Non-Majors
Non-majors are welcome in any course with a Latin American Studies crosslisting, unless the course's host department imposes a limitation or restriction. For example, ECON 101 or ECON 110 is a prerequisite for ECON/LAST 219, Latin American Economic Development.
General Education
Latin American Studies majors must complete Stage II of the General Education Expectations.
Student Learning Goals
The Latin American Studies major provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the historical, cultural, political, and socioeconomic contours of this diverse region and encourages them to develop expertise in the substance and methods of at least one established academic discipline. Students who complete the Latin American Studies major should be able to explore systematically a range of social-scientific and humanistic issues and modes of argumentation, drawing on the knowledge, analytical abilities, and quantitative, qualitative, and linguistic skills they have acquired through their coursework. Latin American Studies majors should also be better prepared to think critically, write clearly, and speak effectively. By acquiring these capabilities, Latin American Studies majors prepare themselves for lives of diverse contribution.
Study Abroad
Find out more about how studying abroad in Latin America can count towards the major here.
Advanced Placement
Find out more here.
Language Requirement
Admission to the major requires competence in Spanish. LAST 226, a required course, is taught in Spanish.
Prizes
The Latin American Studies Program awards the Levy-Spira Prize for Distinction in Latin American Studies.
Transfer Credit
Find out more here.