BA Major

Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) is an interdisciplinary program for students who want to engage critical issues in the social sciences and humanities through deep immersion in the histories, cultures, economies, politics, and natural environments of Latin America, the Caribbean, and their global diaspora. In addition to gaining deep knowledge of a region closely tied to Chicago and the United States, LACS students develop strong linguistic, research, and analytical skills; most also spend significant time studying or conducting fieldwork in a Latin American or Caribbean country or diasporic community.

LACS Majors and Minors are prepared for careers in government and international diplomacy, politics, journalism, law, business and consulting, teaching, the nonprofit sector, or academia. The cultural and linguistic competencies LACS students hone also prepare them for careers in clinical professions such as medicine, psychology, and social work.

Requirements at A Glance:
3 Foundations* Courses that provide a historical foundation in the Precolumbian
4 Content Courses relevant to Latin America, the Caribbean, and their global diaspora in at least two departments, according to their chosen Track
2 Theory or Methods Elective Courses that integrate research methodology
Demonstrated Language Proficiency in a Regional Language
1 Experiential Learning Project with significant links to the program of study
1 BA Proseminar in LACS-relevant research design and practice

Program Requirements

The major requirements include: coursework; proficiency in a regional language; experiential learning that aims to broaden students’ appreciation of Latin American and Caribbean perspectives and deepen their cultural fluency; and a BA proseminar open to third- and fourth-year students that allows them to hone their expertise in relevant methodologies and develop their capacity for independent, creative, rigorous inquiry in Latin American & Caribbean Studies. Students may pursue an optional BA Thesis as well. Every year LACS offers dozens of course listings across the disciplines and can expect individualized mentorship and advising from our dedicated faculty and staff.

Tracks: Students pursuing the BA Major in Latin American & Caribbean Studies choose one of three tracks that facilitates their expertise in relevant areas:

  • Latin American & Caribbean Studies Track

Recommended for students with broad interest in the region as a whole.

  • Caribbean Studies Track

Recommended for students with a specific interest in the places and peoples of the Caribbean Basin.

*Students on the Caribbean Studies track (see below) take the required Caribbean Foundations seminar in the place of the Precolumbian foundational course. They are also encouraged to take colonial and modern foundational courses that include substantial Caribbean content.

  • Global Latin American Studies Track 

Recommended for students with a specific interest in Latin American and/or Caribbean diasporas in the United States or beyond.

Please visit the LACS page of the College catalog for more detailed program requirements of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies major.

Declaring a major

Students who plan to declare a major in Latin American and Caribbean Studies should follow the guidelines below.

  1. As early as possible, meet with your College adviser to discuss your interest.
  2. Please contact Diana Schwartz Francisco, LACS program adviser, to schedule a meeting and go over your plan of study. You may want to complete the BA Major Plan in preparation for the meeting.
  3. Declare your major and notify CLACS Student Affairs of your declaration no later than Winter Quarter of your third year.

NOTE: Students who plan to study abroad during their third year should meet with Dr. Schwartz Francisco before leaving campus.

Grading

Each of the required courses for the LACS major must be taken for a quality grade.

All “I” and “NGR” grades for courses to be used for the LACS major and minor must be resolved before the student graduates, or courses cannot be counted.

Honors

Students who have done exceptionally well in their coursework and on their BA Honors Thesis are considered for honors. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall and 3.25 or higher in the major.

LACS majors may be interested in pursuing Global Honors, a designation awarded through the Chicago Language Center that appears on the transcript and will be recognized at Convocation. For more information, please visit the  Global Honors website.

Questions? Contact Diana Schwartz Francisco, LACS Program Adviser.