Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students are advised to consult the General Catalog for the official requirements. The following information is intended to give a general outline of the program.

Preparation for the major

Latin American Studies 101. Three units of statistics or logic selected from Economics 201; Philosophy 120; Political Science 201; Psychology 270; Sociology 201; Statistics 119, 250. Six units of electives selected from Anthropology 102; Chicana and Chicano Studies 100; Geography 102, 106; History 115, 116; Political Science 103. (12 units)

Latin American Studies Major

With the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
(Major Code: 03081)

All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements.” A minor is not required with this major.

Language Requirement
Competency equivalent to that normally attained through four college semesters of Spanish or three college semesters of Portuguese or Mixtec (offered in Latin American Studies). Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements.”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
Passing the Writing Proficiency Assessment with a score of 10 or above or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements” section for a complete listing of requirements.

International Experience
All students must earn a minimum of three units by participating in a Latin American international experience such as study abroad, student exchange, internship, coursework in Tijuana, summer program, or other activities approved by the adviser.

Major
A minimum of 27 upper division units to include three units of international experience and nine upper division core units selected from three different departments: Latin American Studies 350, 366, 498; Economics 464; Geography 323, 324; History 415, 416; Political Science 366, 482. The remaining 15 upper division elective units must be selected from courses listed below with no more than nine of the 15 units from any one department. Groups A, B, and C below are for guidance only; it is recommended that students avoid taking too many unrelated courses by concentrating their studies in one or two of the groups. Courses numbered 495, 496, 498, 499, and 596 from all participating departments, with appropriate content, are acceptable for elective credit with approval of the adviser.

Group A: History, Politics, and Economics
Latin American Studies 340, 350, 366, 370, 430, 498, 555, 560, 580; Chicana and Chicano Studies 340, 350A, 375; Economics 365, 464, 565; History 415, 416, 550, 551, 552, 558; Political Science 361, 366, 430, 482, 566, 567, 568; Public Health 362.

Group B: Cultures and Environments
Latin American Studies 320, 525, 540, 550, 580; Anthropology 350, 440, 441, 442, 520, 529, 533, 540, 582*, 583*; Chicana and Chicano Studies 355, 554, 595; Geography 323, 324, 554*; Political Science 564; Sociology 350, 522, 554, 555; Women’s Studies 310*, 512.

Group C: Arts and Literature
Latin American Studies 307, 580; Africana Studies 464; Anthropology 439; Art 561, 562; Chicana and Chicano Studies 310, 376, 400; Comparative Literature 445, 580*; English 519*; Portuguese 307, 443, 534, 535; Spanish 341, 342, 406A, 406B, 502, 503, 515.

*Acceptable when of relevant content with consent of adviser.

Download the Major Checklist: .doc | .pdf

Latin American Studies Minor

The minor in Latin American studies consists of a minimum of 15 units of Latin American content courses, with a minimum of 12 units of upper division courses. In addition, all students must demonstrate language competency equivalent to that normally attained through one college semester of Spanish, Portuguese, or Mixtec. All students must complete Latin American Studies 101 and two upper division courses from two of the three course groups listed below. Maximum six units from any one department.

Group A: History, Politics, and Economics
Latin American Studies 340, 350, 366, 370, 430, 498, 555, 560, 580; Chicana and Chicano Studies 340, 350A, 375; Economics 365, 464, 565; History 415, 416, 550, 551, 552, 558; Political Science 361, 366, 430, 482, 566, 567, 568; Public Health 362.

Group B: Cultures and Environments
Latin American Studies 320, 525, 540, 550, 580; Anthropology 350, 440, 441, 442, 520, 529, 533, 540, 582*, 583*; Chicana and Chicano Studies 355, 554, 595; Geography 323, 324, 554*; Political Science 564; Sociology 350, 522, 554, 555; Women’s Studies 310*, 512.

Group C: Arts and Literature
Latin American Studies 307, 580; Africana Studies 464; Anthropology 439; Art 561, 562; Chicana and Chicano Studies 310, 376, 400; Comparative Literature 445, 580*; English 519*; Portuguese 307, 443, 534, 535; Spanish 341, 342, 406A, 406B, 502, 503, 515.

Courses numbered 495, 496, 498, 499, and 596 from all participating departments, with appropriate content, are acceptable for elective credit with approval of the adviser.

Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University. In designing their Latin American studies programs for a minor, students may not include courses drawn from their major department.

*Acceptable when of relevant content with consent of adviser.

Download the Minor Checklist: .doc | .pdf

Last Update: 24-Sep-2009

Frequently asked questions regarding administration, financial aid, and other general questions.

Dual Masters Program

San Diego State University offers two dual-degree masters programs in Latin American Studies, one with business (MBA) and the other with Public Health (MPH).

Courses at Other Universities

In addition to the course offerings at San Diego State University, students may take selected courses at the University of California, San Diego; the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC); and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF). UABC and El COLEF have campuses in Tijuana, Mexico, and are approximately 30 and 45 minutes by car from San Diego State.


The statements found on this page/site are for informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate, official information can be found in the university publications.

SDSU Center for Latin American Studies Home Page