Latin American and Latino Studies Major
This interdisciplinary major is offered and administered by the Department of Hispanic Studies. The major integrates the academic resources of all Connecticut College departments and programs that offer coursework on Latin America and Latinos living in the United States, complementing and enhancing the understanding of both gained through interdisciplinary instruction. The core curriculum of the Latin American and Latino Studies major provides a solid foundation of knowledge, a rigorous interdisciplinary methodology, and language proficiency in Spanish. Flexibility in the major offers each student the opportunity to explore a more specialized topic, region, or discipline of interest. Students are strongly encouraged to study away or complete an internship abroad or in the United States. The Latin American and Latino Studies major consists of a minimum of nine courses taken in the Department of Hispanic Studies and in other Connecticut College departments and programs that offer courses on Latin America and Latinos in the United States. The requirements include:
(1) two culture courses: SPA 251 and SPA 252;
(2) three social science and/or humanities courses on Latin America or Latinos in the United States in related departments;
(3) two courses on Latin America taken in the Department of Hispanic Studies;
(4) one course at the 200 level or higher on Latinos in the US taken in the Department of Hispanic Studies;
(5) one capstone senior seminar, SPA 495, or one Honors Thesis in related departments whose theme and research is on Latin America or Latino Studies in the United States.
Students are encouraged to pursue related Pathways and participate in study away programs, SATA, and TRIPs, after consultation with departmental faculty. We also encourage students to complete a global or local internship, or individual or faculty/student research project related to Latin America or Latinos in the United States. With departmental approval, up to two courses taken at another institution may be accepted from endorsed study away programs and three from a SATA program relating to Latin America or Latinos in the United States.
Requirements
The Latin American and Latino Studies major consists of a minimum of nine courses taken in the Department of Hispanic Studies and in other Connecticut College departments and programs that offer courses on Latin America and Latinos in the United States.
With departmental approval, up to two courses taken at another institution may be accepted from endorsed study away programs and three from a SATA program relating to Latin America. If a student completes an Honors Study as the 400-level capstone, the Honors Study may also replace one of the courses from the appropriate distribution area.
The requirements include:
Three social science or humanities courses on Latin America or Latinos in the United States
Two of the following courses on Latin America in the Hispanic Studies department
One course at the 200-level or higher on Latinos in the United States in the Hispanic Studies Department
The 400-level capstone course or Honors Thesis for all majors
The research paper completed for the 400-level capstone course or the Honors Thesis must be dedicated to a Latin American studies theme. Under exceptional circumstances, with departmental permission, two semesters of Individual Study (491, 492) may be counted as the capstone and as a course from the appropriate distribution area.
Any first-year seminar taken in Spanish may replace SPA 250 or SPA 251, depending on the course content.
Advisors in Hispanic Studies Department: A. Heredia, J. Kushigian, J. Rudolph
Advisors in Related Fields: L. Garofalo (History), R. Gay (Sociology), A. Hybel (Government), M Lizarralde (Anthropology/Botany), Maria Cruz-Saco (Economics)