Latin American Studies, Minor

Program Description

This interdisciplinary minor is designed for students in any college or program of the University who want to supplement their knowledge and skills with the study of Latin America. A certificate is awarded to students who complete the requirements of the minor.

What is Latin American Studies?

Latin American studies covers numerous disciplines such as history, politics, art, geography, gender studies, and sociology and uses them to critically examine and analyze the experiences of Latin Americans in Latin America and elsewhere.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You’re interested in gaining further understanding of Latin America and the many rich histories and cultures that it encompasses.
• You want to take part in exciting study abroad opportunities to places such as Santiago, Dominican Republic and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• You’re looking for an interdisciplinary area of study that can lead you toward multiple paths: Anthropology, art, language, and more.
• You want to be involved with a dynamic and diverse community of faculty and students through enriching courses and opportunities.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
PLSC 456	Politics and Institutions of Latin-American Nations	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
HIST 178	Latin-American History to 1820	3
or HIST 179	Latin-American History Since 1820
PORT 1	Elementary Portuguese I	3-4
or SPAN 100	Intermediate Grammar and Composition
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 9 credits (at least 3 credits at the 400 level) from an approved list in consultation with the adviser		9

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

ERIE

Maggie Shum, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Political Science
164 Kochel Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6648
mps6969@psu.edu

Career Paths

The major and minor in LAS are designed to be combined with other majors and minors to create a multidisciplinary degree that will enrich the student’s educational experience at Penn State and be appealing to potential graduate programs and employers. Most LAS majors go on to law school or graduate school; others find jobs with corporations that have Latin American interests or with US government agencies such as the NSA and State Department.

Careers

• Law
• Business
• •NSA or State Department
• Historic Preservation
• United Nations Organizations / Non-Governmental Organizations
• Medicine
• Secondary Education Teaching

Contact

University Park

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1367
bdw150@psu.edu

https://latinamericanstudies.la.psu.edu/

ERIE

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Kochel Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu

https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences