University of California, Los Angeles College of Letters and Science 141 courses
The Latin American Studies major allows students to analyze the area or a subregion (e.g., Amazonia, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Southern Cone) from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective. The major seeks to ground students in broad international issues that they can then use to focus on particular concerns of that part of the world. Study Abroad Latin American Studies majors are highly encouraged to study abroad. Students can travel to all areas through a variety of programs with various lengths (summer or during the academic year). Students may partially fulfill the area studies elective requirement by participating in an International Institute Summer Travel Study program consisting of two courses in and on a particular region of the world. Contact the academic counselor for more information on available programs. More information about study abroad programs is available through the UCLA International Education Office by e-mail, in person at 1332 Murphy Hall, or by phone at 310-825-4995. The Latin American Studies major is a designated capstone major. Students must complete a capstone seminar or travel-abroad program in which they engage in an in-depth analysis of a specific region or a thematic subject that spans regions. Through conceiving and executing a project, students demonstrate their working knowledge of scholarly discourse relative to a specialized topic. Student research, analytic, and writing skills are exhibited through their capstone work, along with their collaborative and oral communication skills.
Preparation for the Major
Complete International and Area Studies 1, one area studies course, two international politics and markets courses, two international societies and cultures courses, and one area-related foreign language sequence through the intermediate level as follows:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I A STD 1 | Introduction to International and Area Studies | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Area Studies
Select one course from:
Preparation for the Major: International Politics and Markets
Select two courses from the following.
Preparation for the Major: International Societies and Cultures
Select two courses from the following. Only one course from Comparative Literature 1D, 2DW, or 4DW may be applied.
Preparation for the Major: Foreign Language
Complete two area-related foreign language sequences through the intermediate level such as the following examples or an indigenous language of Latin America such as Nahuatl, Quechua, or Zapotec. The language requirement can also be fulfilled in part or in total by taking a placement examination given through the appropriate language department.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PORTGSE 3 | Intermediate Portuguese | 4 |
| PORTGSE 11B | Intensive Portuguese | 5 |
| SPAN 5 | Intermediate Spanish | 4 |
| SPAN 7A | Introductory Spanish for Heritage Speakers | 4 |
The Major
Complete one capstone seminar and 11 upper-division courses divided among area studies and international themes as follows:
The Major: Area Studies
Select seven courses from the humanities and arts and social sciences groups as follows:
The Major: Area Studies: Humanities and Arts Group 1
Select three courses from:
The Major: Area Studies: Social Sciences Group 1
Select three courses from:
The Major: Area Studies: Additional Elective
Select one additional course from either group 1 or group 2.
The Major: Area Studies: Substitutions
The area studies electives listed in groups 1 and 2 focus on contemporary issues of that region after 1750. Students may substitute a maximum of three upper-division courses with focus on earlier historical aspects of the region or on diasporas with origins related to the region toward the area studies electives as long the distribution between humanities and arts and social sciences is maintained. Courses may be selected from the following lists:
The Major: Area Studies: Substitutions: Humanities and Arts Group 2
The Major: Area Studies: Substitutions: Social Sciences Group 2
The Major: International Themes
Select four courses from international politics and markets and international societies and cultures as follows:
The Major: International Themes: International Politics and Markets
Select two courses from:
The Major: International Themes: International Societies and Cultures
Select two courses from:
The Major: Capstone
Complete the following course:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I A STD 191 | Variable Topics Senior Research Seminars: International and Area Studies | 4 |
Honors Program
The honors program is designed to offer highly motivated majors the opportunity to design and conduct their own independent research under the guidance of a faculty adviser and consists of a three-term directed-study series of courses culminating in an honors thesis.
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