The Latin American and Latina/o Studies (LALS) major consists of 36 hours of coursework, as follows:

1. Introductory Course4
LALS 301
Introduction to Latin American and Latina/o Studies
2. Language Study8
Students take the following language courses:
SPAN 331Spanish Conversation4
SPAN 332Advanced Grammar and Composition4
or SPAN 301 Spanish in Context: Cultural Explorations and Grammar Review
Note: Students with linguistic proficiency beyond the SPAN 301/SPAN 331/SPAN 332 level are exempt from this requirement and will take eight additional hours (28 total) from courses in the following section.
3. Latin American and Latina/o Studies Electives 20
Students select a minimum of twenty hours electives from the following courses:
Note: 1) A maximum of eight hours can be counted from Category C. 2) At least 4 hours must be non-SPAN courses. The LALS program coordinator is available to advise on course selection. 3) As you plan your course selections, please note that this major requires at least 24 hours with the SPAN prefix (see #6 below).
Category A
Courses that focus on Latin America or the Latina/o diaspora in the United States:
SPAN 335Latin American Cultures and Civilizations4
SPAN 337Survey of Spanish American Literature4
SPAN 357Latino Cultures in the United States4
SPAN 352Topics in Spanish Language and Hispanic Literatures and Culture (when related to Latin America or Latino/as in the United States)2
SPAN 353Topics in Spanish Language and Hispanic Literatures and Culture (when related to Latin America or Latino/as in the United States)4
SPAN 439Topics in Spanish Language and Hispanic Literatures and Culture (when related to Latin America or Latino/as in the United States)2,4
SPAN 493Mentoring Seminar (when related to Latin America or Latino/as in the United States)2,4
HIST 292Latin American History4
HIST 391Topics in History2,4
ANTH 432Violence and Peace in Latin America4
or HNGR 432 Violence and Peace in Latin America
SOC 385Social Change in Latin America4
MUTC 104Introduction to Music: Latin American Music2
Category B
Courses in approved study abroad programs, including Human Needs and Global Resources, Wheaton in México, and Modern and Classical Languages summer programs: 1
HNGR 484Global Christian Perspective4
HNGR 496Internship in Development4-8
SPAN 338Intensive Advanced Spanish4
SPAN 389Costa Rica Culture & Society4
GPS 321Engaging Mexican Cultures4
GPS 301Survey of Mexican Art2
GPS 302Exploring Mexican History4
XXX 495 Independent Study 22-4
XXX 496 Internship 22-4
Category C
Students may count a maximum of eight hours from courses that focus more broadly on the majority world or immigrants in the United States if the course includes substantive content on Latin America and/or Latina/os in the United States and meets established program criteria. To receive LALS elective credit, such courses must be approved by the LALS coordinator during course registration. Some courses that may be considered include the following:
HIST 391Topics in History2,4
PHIL 105Race & Justice4
BITH 342Majority World Theology4
PHIL 251Global Justice4
MUCS 274World Music4
ANTH 383Cities in the Global South2
ANTH 353Culture and Difference4
ANTH 324Anthropology of Global Christianity2
ANTH 284Culture, Travel & Tourism4
HNGR 114Poverty, Justice and Transformation4
HNGR 381Topics in Development2,4
HNGR 385Field Research Methods4
IR 379International Political Economy4
1

Courses in the Wheaton in Spain and Camino de Santiago summer programs may count toward the LALS minor when exploring topics related to Latin America.

2

XXX 495 and XXX 496 are independent studies and internships completed as part of the approved study abroad program. The credit can be granted by any major (e.g., HNGR, ECON, IR, SPAN, AHS, ANTH)

4. Senior Capstone4
LALS 494
Senior Seminar in Latin American and Latina/o Studies
5. Study-Abroad Requirement
a. LALS majors are required to complete an approved study abroad program in Latin America (e.g., Wheaton in México). (Note: LALS minors are not automatically accepted into these programs; they must apply and be accepted.) 1
b. Programs must be approved by the LALS Advisory Council
c. Pre and post-assessment will be administered to evaluate linguistic and cultural learning.
d. 4. In extenuating circumstances, students may submit an appeal to the LALS advisory council for an exception.
6. Coursework in Spanish
The LALS major requires that students complete a minimum of 24 hours of coursework in Spanish beyond the SPAN 201 level.