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.
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 |