Degree Programs

The Minor

An interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies allows students to build a foundation in the aesthetic, cultural, economic, environmental, geographical, historical, linguistic, political and social aspects of Latin America by taking coursework across disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences.  In addition to helping students develop breadth in Latin American Studies through coursework across multiple disciplines, the program emphasizes depth of understanding through study abroad and a concentration on a focused problem, topic, area, discipline or method.  Students develop significant language skills, cross-cultural understanding, an interdisciplinary approach, and the ability to incorporate Latin American perspectives in their analysis of fields including art, development, environmental conservation, history, language, literature, and politics.

Latin American Studies brings together knowledge from the humanities, the social sciences, and environmental studies to build a foundation in the cultural, economic, political, historical, geographical, aesthetic and environmental contexts of Latin America. In addition to developing breadth in Latin American studies through coursework in multiple disciplines, the program also emphasizes depth in understanding through concentration in a focused problem, topic, area, discipline, or method. Students develop significant language skills, cross-cultural understanding, an interdisciplinary approach, and the ability to incorporate Latin American perspectives in their analysis of fields including art, development, environmental conservation, history, literature, and politics. Both a major and minor are offered.

Note: We currently do not offer the Latin American Studies Major.

Learning outcomes for this program may be found at www.redlands.edu/BA-LAST/learning-outcomes

Graduates with a Latin American Studies minor will:

• Communicate competently in Spanish or another language from Latin America.
• Examine their core interest through two or more disciplinary approaches.
• Draw connections between the unifying elements of the Latin American Experience.

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements

Spanish-Language Requirement

All students minoring in Latin American Studies must achieve communicative competence in Spanish or another language from Latin America. We require satisfactory completion of SPAN 201 or demonstrated proficiency in Spanish at this level. Demonstrated competence in a Latin American language other than English may be substituted for Spanish under exceptional circumstances.

1. Core Course: 1 course/ 4 credits

−− LAST 101 Introduction to Latin America (4)

2. Content Area and Methods Courses: 5 courses/ 18-20 credits

Minors must take an additional five LAST, cross-listed, or study-abroad courses approved by the LAST advisor or director. At least two of the three LAST content areas (Environmental Studies, the Humanities, and the Social Sciences) must be represented by at least one course. Study abroad courses apply to specific content area at the discretion of the LAST advisor or director.

Recommended Experiential Learning (Immersion Experience): Although this Experiential Learning is recommended, it is not required: 0 credits

• Semester of Study Abroad in Latin America
• University of Redlands Faculty-Led May Term Travel Course in Latin America
• Approved Community-Based Internship with Latin American Immigrant Communities in the U.S.A.
• Approved Community Service Activity with Latin American Immigrant Communities in the U.S.A

Students should consult their Latin American Studies advisor, the Director, and the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Study Away for program options.

Study Abroad Option

A semester-long program of study abroad in Latin America or other Latin American immersion experience, such as significant interactions with Latin American immigrant communities in the USA, is recommended for all minors, and can both count toward the program’s language requirement and concentration courses. Students should consult their Latin American Studies advisor, the LAST director, and the University’s Office for Study Abroad for program options. The minor in Latin American Studies consists of six courses emphasizing breadth in Latin American Studies.

Programs offered through our partners (CIEE, IES, IFSA-Butler, SFS, SIT) that can apply to the LAST major or minor are available in:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Guatemala
• Mexico City
• Oaxaca
• Panama
• Peru

University of Redlands Faculty-led May Term Travel Courses (The availability of May term courses changes each year. click the Study Abroad website for current information.):

• CDIS 260 - "Guatemala: Service-Learning in Language, Culture, and Education" Instructor: Barbara Conboy
• EVST 250 – “PanaMapping: Geodesign to Conserve the Rainforest”
  Instructor(s): Steven Moore & Dan Klooster

Catalogs