Mar 28, 2024  
2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Latin American Studies, Global Studies, BA


Common Core Courses:


All majors are required to take one of the following introductory courses:

Additionally


All majors are required to take:

Major Fields (18 Credits Total)


Students will select two fields that will guide their studies in LAS.   At least one of these must be a disciplinary field, and students will take at least 9 credits in that discipline focused on Latin America.  Available LAS disciplinary fields include:

  • Anthropology
  • Art and Art History
  • Economics
  • Government 
  • Hispanic Studies
  • History
  • Sociology

For a second field, students may select another of these LAS disciplines, taking at least 9 credits in it focused on Latin America; OR design a thematic or global field relevant to the region, choosing courses (at least nine credits) from any discipline or program that together allow for in-depth study of a chosen topic relevant to Latin America.  Possible thematic or global fields might include (but are not limited to):

  • empire and globalization
  • political economy and development
  • race and ethnicity
  • Latino and diaspora studies
  • Indigenous peoples
  • human rights and social movements
  • environmental studies

The optional thematic or global field must be designed in consultation with and approved by the LAS Program.

At least 9 of the 18 credits required to meet the Major Fields requirement must be taken at the 300-level or above.

See below for course listings by discipline. Other courses in topics in Latin American and Latino Studies not listed below may count and are subject to approval by the Program Director.

 

Immersion Experience


The immersion experience is defined as an experience beyond the William and Mary classroom clearly linked to Latin America or Latinos residing in other parts of the world. It is designed to give students an opportunity to apply their in-class learning to real-world situations, and develop frameworks for engaging the issues affecting Latin American cultures, nations, and communities. The immersion experience may be tied to a service learning opportunity or study abroad. Students can also satisfy this requirement through an internship that focuses on Latin American or Latino issues in the United States. This is a non-credit bearing requirement. Students who fulfill this requirement by participating in a William and Mary study abroad program or through an LAS-affiliated program such the Borderlands or the National Security Archives programs should complete a pre-approval form (available on the LAS web-site) and enroll in LAS 400. In other cases fulfillment of the immersion requirement is subject to the approval of the LAS program director.

 

Language Requirement


The concentration in Latin American Studies includes a language requirement that exceeds the College-wide proficiency requirement. The requirement can be met with three credits of a single course above the 240-level taught in a target language spoken in the region. Although William and Mary is not currently able to offer regional languages besides Spanish, a student could count another language (for example, Portuguese or Nahuatl) if they can demonstrate proficiency through accredited academic courses taken domestically or abroad. In special cases this requirement can be satisfied by an equivalent language immersion experience subject to approval by the LAS Program Director.

Senior seminar:


This requirement is met by taking a 400-level seminar (3 or 4 credits) from the courses listed in the Latin American curriculum. Senior seminars often will be cross-listed as LAS 450. It is suggested that the senior seminar be fulfilled with a course from one of the student’s disciplinary or thematic fields, though any LAS 450 or senior seminar on Latin America from one of the LAS disciplines will fulfill the requirement. The senior seminar requirement can also be fulfilled through the pursuit of honors in Latin American Studies.

Electives:


The elective requirement can be met by taking additional credits from course offerings in Latin American Studies, to bring total credits up to 33.   The list of courses approved for LAS credit is published each semester on the LAS website.

Course Listings:


Anthropology


Art History


Economics


Government


Hispanic Studies


History


Sociology