Undergraduate Academics

El Instituto offers programs of studies such as a major in Latino and Latin American Studies/or with Honors, Minor in Latin American Studies (LLAS) and Minor in Latino Studies. The majors and minors respond to a need in the New England region and nationally for a deeper understanding of the peoples and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean, their histories and contemporary economic, social, and political problems, and their relations with the United States. These program of studies prepares the students for work in government, communities, agencies, international organizations, etc.

Snippet of the Latino and Latin American Studies Major:

Flexible and easy to double major, and can be tailored to specific interests such as migration, health, human rights, history, etc. .

Opportunities for experiential learning, applying research to study abroad or community-facing programs.

Prepares students for work in government, community, agencies, international organizations, business, research, teaching, journalism and communications.

Provides a deeper understanding of the peoples and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean, their histories and contemporary economic, social, and political problems, and their relations with the United States

Engages student in diverse and increasingly important intellectual discussion on one of the largest populations in the US.

Plan of Study

Major in Latino and Latin American Studies

The interdisciplinary major in Latino and Latin American Studies offers an understanding of hemispheric relationships between the peoples and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean, and those of the United States. It explores interconnected histories and contemporary economic, social, and political challenges including migration, transnational communities, and economic development.

 

Through enhanced course work and focused research, the major with honors in Latin American Studies prepares the student to work effectively and knowledgeably in government, international organizations, business, journalism, and communications, or to pursue graduate studies which lead to careers in research and/or teaching in the social sciences and humanities.

The interdisciplinary major with honors in Latin American Studies consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours of course work, including seven required course selections as specified below (21 credit hours) and additional courses (15 credits) as described below. In addition, intermediate proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese, though not a prerequisite for major with honors study, must be demonstrated for completion of the major with honors; language courses undertaken to satisfy this requirement do not count toward the major with honor's total credit hours.

Minor in Latin American Studies

The interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies offers a basic understanding of the peoples and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean, their histories and contemporary economic, social, and political problems, and their relations with the United States.

Minor in Latino Studies

The interdisciplinary minor in Latino Studies advances a critical understanding of Latinos as an integral social and cultural component of the U.S. society and of the American hemisphere. Since it employs interdisciplinary research methods, this minor enhances a variety of majors and fields of study.

NOTE: Completion of a minor requires that a student earn a C (2.0) or better in each of the required courses for that minor. A maximum of 3 credits towards the minor may be transfer credits of courses equivalent to University of Connecticut courses. Substitutions are not possible for required courses in a minor.

Note: LLAS 1190 (Perspectives on Latin America, CA 2. CA 4-INT) is recommended as background preparation for the 3000-level courses taken to satisfy requirements for the minor and major. LLAS 1190 does not count toward the minor or major.

Interested in learning more? Contact El Instituto's Associate Director Anne Gebelein (Anne.Gebelein@uconn.edu)

Latino and Latin American Studies prepares students for

  • Work in government agencies
  • Community agencies
  • International Organizations
  • Businesses
  • Journalism and Communications
  • Research
  • Teaching

Experiential Learning

 

  • All students with a major or minor with a focus in Latin American Studies are urged to participate in an education abroad program in Latin America or the Caribbean for a summer, a semester, or a year. The University of Connecticut sponsors programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • The Urban Semester Program collaborates with El Instituto: The Institute of Latino, Caribbean and Latin American Studies to offer guided fieldwork in Hartford with a focus on Puerto Rican and Latino Studies. Students now have the opportunity to request a semester-long experience tailored to give them hands-on training working with agencies or political institutions that serve Latino populations. You can find more information on the program by visiting UConn's Urban and Community Studies Program.

Undergraduate Brochures (PDF) by Catalog Year:

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