Information and Policies
Introduction
A degree in Latin American and Latino studies (LALS) and sociology trains students to be critical and analytical thinkers, to be active, engaged global citizens, and to be skilled strategic activists in making the world a more just place for all. A combined LALS and sociology B.A. prepares students to learn from and work with people from a variety of cultures and perspectives, to understand the complexity of current and past societies and social moments, to discover how political, economic, and cultural aspects inform the social, and to use skills from many disciplines and fields.
Sociology is the study of social interactions among individuals and social groups. More specifically, sociologists examine cultural, ideological, economic, and political structures and the processes whereby social institutions are created, maintained, and transformed. The combined B.A. in LALS and sociology allows students to focus their study of sociological contexts and processes within Latinx and Latin American communities.
Program Learning Outcomes
LALS Program Learning Outcomes:
- Critical Thinking. Ability to analyze from a transnational/transborder/translocal perspective—to see the interconnections between Latin American and Latino issues, people, ideas, problems and solutions. This includes key skills, such as understanding sources, comparing arguments, analysis, and historical perspective.
- Research Methods. Working knowledge of social scientific and/or humanistic approaches to LALS relevant topics. This includes acquiring qualitative and quantitative skills, gathering or obtaining research data, finding/using primary sources, and other research methods.
- Communication. Key communication skills, including written, oral presentation, and digital, including an understanding of media sources and ability to apply media literacy to cross-cultural analysis.
- Lifelong Learning Skills. Acquisition of practical hands-on skills in community engagement, cross-cultural fluency, familiarity with Latin America, and familiarity with Latino experience acquired through experiential learning while working with community and civic organizations.
Sociology Program Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate critical thinking and critical citizenship skills intended to promote social justice through the ability to analyze and evaluate social, political, and/or cultural arguments.
- Demonstrate sociological understandings of phenomena, for example, how individual biographies are shaped by social structures, social institutions, cultural practices, and multiple axes of difference and/or inequality.
- Formulate effective and convincing written and/or oral arguments.
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to use, several of the major classical and/or contemporary perspectives in social theory.
- Demonstrate an understanding of several of the major social science research methodologies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of some of the key substantive areas within the field of sociology.
Academic Advising for the Program
LALS Undergraduate Advising
32 Merrill Academic Building
(831) 459-2119
lalsadvising@ucsc.edu
Sociology Undergraduate Advising
Rachel Carson College Rm 224/226
831-459-4497
socyadvising@ucsc.edu
Advising for the combined major in LALS and sociology is available from both advising offices, though the major is housed in the LALS Department.
Getting Started in the Major
Students interested in the combined major in LALS and sociology are encouraged to enroll in the one required LALS lower-division course, chosen from LALS 1 or LALS 5 or LALS 10, and the two required lower-division sociology courses, chosen from SOCY 1, SOCY 10, or SOCY 15, at their earliest opportunity.
Transfer Information and Policy
Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students interested in transferring in to UC Santa Cruz as a combined LALS and sociology major are encouraged to enroll in courses that satisfy the lower-division requirements prior to transfer. Visit Assist.org to review transfer articulations and contact advisors for LALS and sociology with any questions.
Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students
Transfer students must complete the lower-division course requirements to declare the combined major in LALS and sociology, and should focus on completing these classes as soon as they start at UCSC (if they have not completed these courses prior to transfer). Students should contact advisors for LALS and sociology regarding transferable coursework.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Students must complete the lower-division sociology courses (two chosen from SOCY 1, SOCY 10, or SOCY 15) and one LALS course (LALS 1 or LALS 5 or LALS 10) with grades of C or better or Pass before the major can be declared.
One course chosen from:
| LALS 1 | Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies | 5 |
| LALS 5 | Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice | 5 |
| LALS 10 | Introduction to Chicanx & Latinx Studies | 5 |
Two courses chosen from:
| SOCY 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY 10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY 15 | World Society | 5 |
Appeal Process
Students who did not satisfy the major declaration requirement but believe there are extenuating circumstances may file a written appeal. Appeals should be submitted to undergraduate advising by sending an email to lalsadvising@ucsc.edu. Students must file the appeal within 15 days of denial of major declaration. The department will notify the student and college of the decision within 15 days of the receipt of the appeal.
How to Declare a Major
Students may declare the major through the MyUCSC portal. Any questions should be directed to the LALS undergraduate advisor.
Letter Grade Policy
This program does not have a letter grade policy. Major requirements will be met with grades of C or better or Pass, within the parameters of the UC Santa Cruz Pass/No Pass grading policy.
Study Abroad
The LALS Department encourages students to participate in Global Learning programs whenever possible. LALS offers a summer Global Internship program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that satisfies an elective requirement in LALS, and sociology offers a Global Internship program in Santiago Chile. There are many other learning programs offered throughout the academic year in: California, Washington, D.C., Latin America, and elsewhere across the globe. Find out more on the Global Learning website or visit their offices on campus.
Honors
For combined majors, academic performance must meet the criteria in both departments to be awarded honors. Honors can only be conferred if both departments agree.
LALS awards honors in the major based on overall student academic performance in courses that count toward the major. To receive the strongest consideration for honors in the major, the following grade point average (GPA) criteria must be met: highest honors, 4.0; honors, 3.7.
For sociology, honors are awarded based on the student’s cumulative GPA for all courses taken at UC Santa Cruz to satisfy the program’s major requirements. Students with a GPA of 3.75 or above will be considered for honors in the major. Students with a GPA of 3.9 or above will be considered for highest honors in the major.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
A minimum of 12 courses and one lab are required for the Latin American and Latino studies (LALS) and sociology combined B.A. Students considering a double major or major/minor plan with the combined major in LALS and sociology should contact the LALS undergraduate advisor to discuss their options.
Lower-Division Requirements
One LALS Introductory course
| LALS 1 | Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies | 5 |
| LALS 5 | Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice | 5 |
| LALS 10 | Introduction to Chicanx & Latinx Studies | 5 |
Two courses chosen from:
| SOCY 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY 10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY 15 | World Society | 5 |
Upper-Division Requirements
LALS and sociology combined majors take four upper-division core courses and one writing lab, four 5-credit upper-division electives (two in LALS and two in sociology), and one senior seminar exit requirement in LALS or sociology.
Upper-Division Core Courses
Four Upper-Division Elective Courses
Choose two 5-credit upper-division LALS electives (numbered 101-190) and two 5-credit upper-division sociology electives (numbered 110-189).
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy a disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement for the LALS and sociology combined B.A. is met by completing:
Comprehensive Requirement
Students satisfy the Comprehensive Requirement by completing either an LALS Senior Seminar (LALS 194 A-Z, excluding L) and LALS 194L, or complete SOCY 196S. Topics in SOCY 196S vary. Students interested in the SOCY 196S option will need to apply in advance.
Planners
The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information. Contact the LALS undergraduate advisor to make an academic plan based on your completed coursework and educational goals.
Sample Four-Year Planner for Frosh (can be completed in three years - ask undergraduate advisor)
*or LALS 5 or LALS 10 when offered.
**WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year.
Sample Two-Year Planner for Transfer Students
Recommended academic plan for students starting as juniors, who have completed their lower-division SOCY courses prior to transfer (ask undergraduate advisor if you need a plan that incorporates lower-division sociology requirements).
*If not already satisfied by transfer credit.