Latin American and Latino Studies Minor

Contacts: Thomas Ward, Professor of Spanish (Program Advisor)
Office: Humanities Center, Room 309; Maryland Hall, Room 351i
Telephone: 410‑617‑2891; 410‑617‑2370
Website: www.loyola.edu/academic/latinostudies

The interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) is built on a historical, cultural, literary, sociological, and political understanding of the Spanish, Portuguese, and French-speaking regions of the Americas. Students come to appreciate the diversity of Latin American and U.S. Latino experiences by studying Latin Americans from all countries, including the United States.

Requirements for the Minor (18 credits)

The minor consists of 18 credits, as follows:

Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies (HS 392 or ML 392 )
Five Electives (15 credits; listed below)

Courses must be distributed minimally across three disciplines (e.g., HS, ML, PS, SN). Three electives must be taken at the 300-level or above; two may be taken at the 100-level or above. No more than four courses can be taken from a department that contains more than one discipline. Two courses may be cross-counted between LALS and another major or minor with the approval of the department chair(s).

Service-learning or Study Abroad Experience

A service-learning or study abroad experience is required. The international experience must be in Latin America, and up to three study-abroad courses can count toward the LALS minor. The service-learning option would be integral to an approved LALS elective course and entails working with any group of Franco-Luso-Hispanic peoples in the Baltimore area. To allow for greater curricular flexibility, it is recommended that students declare the minor in their sophomore year, especially if they will be studying abroad during their junior year.

Notes:

The program advisor will work with each student to develop a coherent program of study, guide the student, and meet informally at least once a semester to converse and look for connections between courses. Students are required to complete and submit a final portfolio of their work.

Electives

Approval Required:

The following electives may be counted toward the minor if a final paper or project is geared toward Latin America or U.S. Latinos (paper will become part of portfolio). "Latin America" includes any historically Spanish, Portuguese, or French speaking area, as well as the Caribbean. The minor advisor or program director must approve these courses, and it is the student's responsibility to work with the course instructor to ensure that the final project is on Latin America.

Notes:

Students are encouraged to study and perfect their knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or French. Students may take electives offered through the Baltimore Student Exchange Program at other area colleges and universities; however, these courses must be preapproved by the minor advisor or program director.