Latin American Studies Major

The major consists of a minimum of 9 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.

View the catalog page for the Latin American Studies program.

View entry-level course sequence suggestions.

Summary of Requirements

One Gateway Course / LATS 100
Language Requirement / HISP 304
Seven Latin American Studies Electives
Capstone Requirement / LATS 400

Notes:
Of the seven electives, at least five must be core electives, and up to two related electives may be taken toward the major.

No more than 20 credit hours from any one department or program can be counted toward the major. Cross-listed courses may be counted as coming from either department.

Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions

It is recommended that students interested in the Latin American Studies major begin coursework by satisfying the language requirement and LATS 100.

Transfer of Credit

At least 6 of the courses must be taken at Oberlin. The remainder can come from study away or transfers from other colleges and universities. (Exception: Students spending two semesters studying abroad in Latin America may count up to 4 courses taken while abroad toward the LAST major.)

AP or IB courses do not count toward the major.

Honors

Those interested in completing honors in Latin American Studies should consult with the Chair of the program at the beginning of the second semester of their junior year. Honors work normally consists of the preparation of a thesis under faculty supervision.

View details on the department webpage.

Latin American Studies Major Requirements

A. Gateway Course

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LATS 100 - What is Latin America? Issues in Latin American Studies

B. Language Requirement

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HISP 304 for those choosing Spanish to fulfill the language requirement (or the equivalent of HISP 304 taken abroad, at another college or university, or accomplished by placing out of the requirement on a placement examination; in the latter case, the language requirement will be considered to be met but the student will not receive credits towards the major).

For other languages, the language requirement will be met with the equivalent of 5 semesters of college-level study in the language. Students with competency in languages other than Spanish to fulfill the language requirement should contact the Chair of Latin American Studies to certify completion of the requirement.

C. Latin American Studies Electives

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Of the seven electives, at least five must be core electives, and up to two related electives may be taken toward the major.

I. Latin American Studies Core Electives

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Core electives have as their primary focus Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Latino/a diaspora.

At least five core electives must be taken toward the major.

II. Latin American Studies Related Electives

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Related electives are those courses in which Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Latino/a diaspora are an important component of the course (making up at least one-third of the course work) but are not necessarily its primary focus.

Up to two related electives may be taken toward the major.

D. Capstone Requirement

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All Latin American Studies majors will select one course taken in their senior year as their capstone course and register for LATS 400, the two-credit capstone module. The capstone includes a substantive individual project and a public presentation.

Note: Completion of LATS 401 and or 402 will satisfy this requirement.