Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Global Studies (BA in International Studies)
Latin American Studies
In Latin American and Caribbean Studies [LAS], you will study one of the world’s most dynamic, rapidly evolving regions. Our focus is on the enormous diversity of the area known as “the Americas.” You will learn, first-hand, about this region’s linguistic, ethnic, cultural, and racial diversity. LAS is distinct from other departments and programs in that we actively decenter the U.S. perspective on Latin America. What this means is that you will learn about Latin American communities and cultures by studying material from the U.S. alongside material from Latin America. This interdisciplinary program of study allows you to combine courses from wide-ranging disciplines like Hispanic Studies, Sociology, Economics, Government, Art History, Music, History, and Religious Studies. In addition to learning about Latin America’s history, people, and cultures, you will become an insightful critical thinker and an astute participant in the complexities of international thought and practice.
Requirements for the major are listed below. (Total credits for the major: 33)
Major Declaration
Prospective majors in LAS should discuss their plans for study with an affiliated faculty by the end of the sophomore year. Upon declaring, students will select two fields of emphasis that will serve as “focus areas” within the multi-disciplinary major, which will enable them to pursue an in-depth course of study. Disciplinary concentration fields include: Anthropology, Art and Art History, Economics, Government, Hispanic Studies, History, Sociology. Students can also, in consultation with the LAS program director, design a thematic or global field relevant to Latin America, choosing courses (at least 9 credits) from any discipline or program that together allow for in-depth study of a chosen topic relevant to Latin America. In the past, students have designed thematic fields in Human Rights, Global Development, and Political Thought. Declaration forms and instructions for majors and minors are available on the Global Studies website and at the Registrar’s Office.
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 at the 300-level or above taught in a target language spoken in the region. Although the College is not currently able to offer languages beyond Spanish, a student could count another language (for example, Portuguese or Nahuatl) provided they can demonstrate proficiency through accredited academic courses taken domestically or abroad. In special cases this requirement can also be satisfied by an equivalent language immersion experience subject to approval by the LAS program director.
The Global Studies Programs
Students who major in Global Studies (GBST) design an interdisciplinary sequence of courses together with an advisor in one of the following area concentrations: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, and Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies. Through coursework in the culture, history, languages, literature, politics, and religions of major world regions, students explore the specificity of a given region, the ways in which global forces are realized in and through local contexts, and the interconnections between global regions. Majors often combine their program of study with service learning, internships, or study abroad. Familiarity with a specific region provides a foundation for grappling with the emerging possibilities and the ethical responsibilities of living in an interconnected world.
In general, a major in Global Studies includes courses from at least three departments. Detailed descriptions of the degree programs are provided below. Additional information about courses and requirements is available from area concentration faculty advisors.
Language Requirement
Degrees in Global Studies include a modern foreign language component which exceeds the College’s proficiency requirement. Students meet the requirement by completing a specific level of language instruction as detailed in their concentration.
Major Writing Requirement (MWR)
The major writing requirement may be satisfied in Global Studies by
- completing the appropriate senior seminar of the individual program, or
- fulfilling the major writing requirement for a department contributing courses to your selected concentration or
- completing a writing project designed to meet the MWR with special permission from a faculty member.
Students should consult with their area concentration advisor on how best to fulfill this requirement.
Major Computer Proficiency Requirement (CPR)
Global Studies majors may satisfy the computing proficiency requirement by
- fulfilling the computing requirement for a department that offers a course in the student’s major
- completing a course that counts for the CPR for a student’s area concentration or
- completing CSCI 131 Concepts in Computer Science or higher.
Concentrators in AMES fulfill the CPR by completing AMES 493 Senior Research in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a grade of C- or better.
Study Abroad
Students are strongly encouraged to seek overseas opportunities and pursue summer and semester-long programs of study, scholarship, and service in all areas of Global Studies, or at approved institutions in the United States. Contact the Global Education Office at the Reves Center for International Studies for information on William & Mary study abroad programs and on programs offered by other institutions. With prior approval, courses taken abroad may be applied to the major or used for other requirements. Funding for independent research projects may be available from the Charles Center for Interdisciplinary Study; students should also investigate scholarship opportunities available through the Reves Center’s Global Education Office for language study.
Major Declaration
Prospective majors in Global Studies should discuss their plans for study with an affiliated faculty in an area concentration by the end of the sophomore year. Declaration forms and instructions for majors and minors are available at the Global Studies website and at the Registrar’s Office.
Minors
In Global Studies students may complete a minor in Asian and Pacific Islander American Stuudies, East Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, or South Asian Studies.
Honors
Senior Honors Students who wish to conduct an honors project must apply for admission to the Departmental Honors program, which is administered by the Charles Center. As part of the application, students must get the approval of an honors project by a faculty member of their area concentration. Application, which includes a faculty signature and a prospectus, should be made to the Charles Center by the end of classes in the academic semester before the project is to begin.
- A prospectus includes: a clear statement of the problem to be researched;
- a brief, critical review of scholarly literature on the research topic;
- a description of the methodology to be employed;
- and an approximate schedule of work.
Eligible applicants must carry a 3.2 grade point average in Global Studies and must also meet the College eligibility standard of 3.0 overall or in their junior year. For further information and an application, contact the Charles Center.
Students admitted into the Honors program in Global Studies will enroll in the honors courses (495-496) appropriate to their concentration during both semesters of their senior year. Honors candidates are responsible for
- formulating and completing a program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor;
- preparation and presentation, by two weeks before the last day of classes in the spring semester, of an honors essay; and
- satisfactory performance in a comprehensive oral examination which focuses on the subject matter of the honors essay.
For College provisions governing admission to the Senior Honors program, see the discussion of major honors elsewhere in this catalog and the Charles Center web site.
Common Core Courses
All majors are required to take one of the following introductory courses:
Additionally
All majors are required to take:
- LAS 350 Latin American Cultures, Politics and Societies Credits: (3)
Major Fields (18 Credits Total)
Students will select two "focus areas" that will guide their studies in LACS. 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 LACS disciplinary fields include:
- Anthropology
- Art and Art History
- Government
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Music
- Theatre and Performance
- Sociology
For a second field, students may select another of these LACS 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):
- arts and expressive cultures
- Brazilian studies
- empire ad globalization
- environmental studies
- human rights and social movements
- Indigenous peoples
- Latino and diaspora studies
- political economy and development
- race and ethnicity
The optional thematic or global field must be designed in consultation with and approved by the LACS 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 many of our 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 Director.
Immersion Experience
LAS students are encouraged but not required to participate in an immersion experience. This 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. Thus we encourage students to do service-learning opportunities, internships, or study abroad programs that focus on Latin America and/or Latino/e/x issues. Students looking for such experiences can meet with faculty to talk about possible opportunities.
Language Requirement
The concentration in Latin American and Caribbean 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 Senior Seminar in Latin American Studies. 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 Senior Seminar in Latin American Studies 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 338 | Native Cultures of South America | 3 |
| ANTH 350 | Special Topics in Anthropology (Latin American topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America) | 3-4 |
| ANTH 458 | Caribbean Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 460 | Independent Research (Latin American topics only) | 3 |
Art History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 330 | Topics in Art History (Latin American topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America) | 1-4 |
| ARTH 335 | Art and Architecture of Colonial Latin America | 3 |
| ARTH 395 | Ink Painting: History, Theory and Technique | 3 |
| ARTH 396 | Art of the Andes | 3 |
| ARTH 490 | Independent Study (Latin American Topics only) | 1-3 |
Economics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 300 | Topics in Economics 1,2 | 1-3 |
| ECON 382 | Comparative Economics 1 | 3 |
| ECON 400 | Topics in Economics 3 | 3-4 |
| ECON 475 | International Trade Theory and Policy 4 | 3 |
| ECON 483 | Macroeconomics of Development 5 | 3 |
| ECON 484 | Economics of Growth 6 | 3 |
| ECON 490 | Independent Study 7 | 3-4 |
- 1
ECON 101 Principles: Microeconomics/151, ECON 102 Principles: Macroeconomics/152
- 2
Latin American topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America
- 3
Latin American topics only. ECON 303 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory or ECON 304 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- 4
ECON 303 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- 5
ECON 303 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and/or ECON 304 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory; Latin American topics only
- 6
ECON 303 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, ECON 304 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- 7
Latin American or Latino Studies topics only
Government
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 312 | Politics of Developing Countries | 3 |
| GOVT 328 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Latin American Politics and Government | 3 |
| GOVT 391 | Topics in Government (Latin American topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America) | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Seminar: Theories of the International System | 4 |
| GOVT 491 | Seminar: Government (Latin American topics only) | 4 |
| GOVT 494 | Independent Study (Latin American or Latino Studies topics only) | 1-3 |
Hispanic Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HISP 240 | Introduction to Hispanic Studies 1 | 3 |
| HISP 250 | Second Year Seminar in Hispanic Studies 2 | 3 |
| HISP 320 | Topics in Hispanic Cinema 3 | 3 |
| HISP 321 | Puerto Rican Cultural Studies: Boriké's Cultural Production 2 | 3 |
| HISP 322 | Issues in Mexican Culture 4 | 3 |
| HISP 291 | Topics in Hispanic Cultural Studies 2 | 3 |
| HISP 370 | Environmental Cultures 4 | 3 |
| HISP 377 | Imagining the Spanish Transatlantic Empire: Early Modern Hispanic Culture (1492-1700) 5 | 3 |
| HISP 389 | Topics in Hispanic Studies in English 2,5 | 1-3 |
| HISP 390 | Topics Hispanic Studies 5,6 | 1-4 |
| HISP 380 | Masterworks: Issues in Canon Formation 2,,5 | 3 |
| HISP 329 | Special Themes in Hispanic Studies 2,7 | 1-4 |
| HISP 371 | Fashioning the Nation 5 | 3 |
| HISP 299 | International Service-Learning Seminar & Internship 5,8 | 1-4 |
| HISP 489 | Topics in Hispanic Studies Research Seminar 2,5 | 3 |
| HISP 492 | Independent Study 2,9 | 1-3 |
| HISP 498 | Internship 2 | 1-3 |
- 1
discussion sessions in Spanish. HISP 202 Intermediate Spanish II or equivalent required; HISP 207 Culturas de in(ex)clusión en el mundo hispánico or equivalent recommended
- 2
Latin American or Latino Studies topics only
- 3
HISP 280, HISP 281 or consent of the instructor, Latin American or Latino Studies topics only
- 4
HISP 280 OR HISP 240 Introduction to Hispanic Studies
- 5
One HISP course numbered between 290 and 360, or consent of instructor
- 6
Latin American or Latino Studies topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America
- 7
HISP 208 La imaginación cultural: arte y literatura en el mundo hispanohablante or HISP 281
- 8
programs in Latin America only
- 9
Another 400-level HISP course or equivalent
History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 211 | Topics in History 1 | 3 |
| HIST 212 | Topics in History 1 | 3 |
| HIST 309 | The Caribbean | 3 |
| HIST 304 | Brazil | 3 |
| HIST 311 | Topics in History 1 | 1-4 |
| HIST 312 | Topics in History 1 | 1-4 |
| HIST 313 | Women's History Topics 1 | 3 |
| HIST 467 | Independent Study 2 | 3 |
| HIST 468 | Independent Study 2 | 3 |
| HIST 490C | Senior Colloquium 2 | 4 |
| HIST 491C | Senior Colloquium 2 | 4 |
- 1
Latin American topics or equivalent approved through study abroad in Latin America
- 2
Latin American topics only
Sociology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 333 | Globalization and International Development | 3 |
| SOCI 351 | Immigration, Assimilation and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOCI 431 | Migration in a Global Context | 3 |
| SOCI 432 | Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Studies | 3 |
| SOCI 433 | Energy, Environment, and Development | 3 |
| SOCI 414 | Comparative Race Relations | 3 |
| SOCI 405 | Special Topics in Sociology ((Latin American or Latino Studies topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America)) | 1-3 |
| SOCI 480 | Readings in Sociology ((Latin American or Latino Studies topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America)) | 1-3 |
| SOCI 490 | Independent Research ((Latin American or Latino Studies topics only or equivalent course approved through study abroad in Latin America)) | 1-3 |