Majors & Minors
Latin American Studies Major | Latin American Studies Minor
General Distribution Requirement
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General Education Requirements
Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism, and U.S. identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration each semester.
Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements听section of this catalog.
Honors Program
The Latin American Studies program participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.
Topics Courses
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Occasional courses on Latin American topics offered from time to time by program and visiting Latin American studies faculty. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)
Independent Study
The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum听section of the catalog.
Latin American Studies Major
Major Requirements
The Latin American Studies major consists of 9 courses, as follows:
A. Introductory course - 1 course
One of the following courses taken during the first year or sophomore year (including First-Year Course versions of the courses):
B. Latin American Electives - 3 courses
Three Latin-America focused courses taken at Macalester, including at least 1 Humanities and 1 Social Science course (see list below). No more than 1 course at the 100 level may be counted as an LAS elective, and at least 1 course must be at the 300 level. Spanish courses may count for LAS electives, only at level SPAN-305 and above; Portuguese courses may count for LAS electives, only at level PORT-331 and above.
Humanities
Social Sciences
C. Research Methods course - 1 course
Students should choose a research methods course that will prepare them for their capstone project on their desired area of expertise. Select from 1 of the following courses:
D. Study Away - 3 courses
Latin American Studies majors must complete 1 semester of full-time study away in a Latin American country, or a program approved by the Latin American Studies director. Up to 3 study off-campus courses will be counted. In case fewer than 3 study away courses are counted, a student must take additional approved course(s) to complete the major.
E. Capstone-1 course
Majors normally complete their capstone during Fall semester in LATI 488 - Senior Seminar. Occasionally, a student may be approved to complete their capstone via an independent project or another appropriate course. Students participating in the Honors program normally take in the Fall and in the Spring of their senior year.
F. Language Proficiency Requirement
Option A: Spanish proficiency to the level of , demonstrated by successfully completing SPAN 305 or a higher-level Spanish course at Macalester, and Portuguese proficiency to the level of .
Option B: Portuguese proficiency to the level of , demonstrated by successfully completing PORT 331 or a higher-level Portuguese course at Macalester, and Spanish proficiency to the level of .
Latin American Studies Minor
A Latin American studies minor consists of proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese (at the level of SPAN 305 or PORT 331), plus any five (5) Latin American studies courses. No more than 2 courses at the 100 level may count toward the minor, and at least 1 course must be at the 300 level.
- Spanish courses may count for LAS minor, only at level SPAN-305 and above
- Portuguese courses may count for LAS minor, only at level PORT-331 and above
- Up to 2 courses from study away may be counted