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.

The major uses the perspectives provided by several disciplines to examine the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, as well as the areas of Spanish colonization in North America, and the peoples of Latin American ancestry currently resident in the United States.

The major can provide students with some of the background necessary for careers in teaching, bilingual education, social work, government or international organizations, business, journalism, and specialized non-profit organizations, as well as for further graduate work in Latin American studies and related disciplines.

Summary of Requirements

LATS 100 - What is Latin America? Issues in Latin American Studies
Language Requirement
Minimum Five Full Latin American Studies Core Elective Courses
Maximum Two Full Latin American Studies Related Elective Courses
One Capstone Course

Note(s) on Requirements

No more than 20 credit hours from any one department or program can be counted toward the major. Cross-listed courses will be counted as coming from the department prefix for which the student registers.

Transfer of Credit Toward the Major

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

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

AP/IB courses (e.g., HISP 300, ARTH 600) do not count toward the Latin American studies major.

Course of Study

It is recommended that students interested in the Latin American Studies major begin coursework by taking LATS 100 and satisfying the language requirement. The Latin American studies program encompasses courses in many fields and disciplines—including history, comparative American studies, folklore and culture, literature, economics, politics, and anthropology—that may subsequently be taken toward the major.

Honors in Latin American Studies

Those interested in completing the Honors Program 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 program web page.

Detailed Major Requirements

Language Requirement

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For those choosing Spanish to fulfill the language requirements, HISP 304 or its equivalent is required. Equivalents include comparable courses taken abroad or at another college or university, or 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 program chair to certify completion of the requirement.

Latin American Studies Course Lists

Latin American Studies Core Elective Courses

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

Latin American Studies Related Elective Courses

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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.

Capstone Courses

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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 one of the following courses will satisfy this requirement.