About Latin American Studies

The Latin American Studies Program administers an interdisciplinary program, which offers students interested in this field the opportunity to pursue courses leading to a CERTIFICATE in Latin American Studies and a MINOR in Latin American Studies. 

Additional information is available in the CSULB Catalog. 

To see a list of current course offerings, click here.

Certificate in Latin American Studies

Latin American Studies administers an interdisciplinary program which offers students interested in this field the opportunity to pursue courses leading to a Certificate in Latin American Studies. Courses used to meet this certificate may be counted also, where applicable, toward the General Education requirements, and the major or minor requirements of the cooperating departments. Please be aware this program is not eligible for Financial Aid unless pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s Degree with a Major in a  traditional discipline; may be completed concurrently with the certificate.
• Completion of two courses in Spanish, Portuguese or another language relevant to areas of interest, or equivalence fluency as determined by the program advisor, is highly recommended.
• Students must consult with and receive approval from the program advisor.

• The instruction program is comprised of 24 units, which may be completed concurrently, distributed as follows:

A.  Core (Required of all students) 3 units.  Choose either LAS 161/HIST 161/SOC 161 (Introduction to Latin American Studies) or SPAN 445 (Latin American Civilization).

B.  Electives:  21 additional units from the following courses, selected from at least two disciplines.  Students cannot duplicate courses taken in the core: ANTH
432, 324, 345, 440*, 490*, 499*; AH 457/557, 458/558, 459/559 CHLS 352, 380, 395, 400, 420, 490*, 499*; CWL 440, 499*; ECON 490*, 499*; FEA 302C; GEOG 320I; HIST362, 364, 366, 461, 462, 463, 466A, 466B, 466C, 490*, 495*, 498*; LAS 161/HIST 161/SOC 161; POSC 358, 359, 481, 497*, 499*; SOC 341, 490*, 499; SPAN341, 441, 445, 490*, 492, 495*, 550

*Special Topics and Independent Study courses in the area of Latin American Studies (including Short Term Study Abroad) must be approved by the advisor.

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Minor in Latin American Studies

The Minor offers students majoring in any subject an opportunity to supplement their education with a focus on the interdisciplinary study of Latin America. The minor’s flexible program of study is ideal for students interested either in intellectual enrichment of professional development in their major. Courses used to meet this minor requirement may be counted also, where applicable, toward General Education requirements, and the major or minor requirements of the cooperating departments.

Requirements:

• Completion of two courses in Spanish, Portuguese or another language relevant to areas of interest, or equivalence fluency as determined by the program advisor, is highly recommended.
• Consultation with the program advisor, including formal declaration of the minor, and application for graduation.

• The instruction program is comprised of 21 units, which may be completed concurrently, distributed as follows:

A.  Core (Required of all students) 3 units.  Choose either LAS 161/HIST 161/SOC 161 (Introduction to Latin American Studies) or SPAN 445 (Latin American Civilization).

B.  Electives:  18 additional units from the following courses, selected from at least two disciplines: ANTH 432, 324, 345, 440*, 490*, 499*; AH 457/557, 458/558, 459/559 CHLS 352, 380, 395, 400, 420, 490*,499*; CWL 440, 499*; ECON 490*, 499*; FEA 302C; GEOG 320I; HIST362, 364, 366, 461, 462, 463, 466A, 466B, 466C, 490*, 495*, 498*; LAS 161/HIST 161/SOC 161; POSC 358, 359, 481, 497*, 499* SOC 341, 490*, 499; SPAN341, 441, 445, 490*, 492, 495*, 550

*Special Topics and Independent Study courses in the area of Latin American Studies (including Short Term Study Abroad) must be approved by the advisor.