School of Arts and Humanities
Latin American Studies
Overview
The program leading to the MA in Latin American Studies allows students to acquire expertise in multiple aspects of Latin America. Building on the unique interdisciplinary structure of the School of Arts and Humanities, the program has an integrated curriculum that connects literary, historical, cultural, and visual studies. Students seeking the MA in Latin American Studies have two options, a "research" or a "professional" option. Students with plans for doctoral study should choose the research option.
Students pursuing the research option must complete thirty-six semester credit hours of coursework, demonstrate reading proficiency in an approved foreign language, complete an approved internship or study abroad, and successfully complete a capstone project. Normally no more than six semester credit hours of independent study are applicable to the degree plan.
Faculty
Professors: Enric Madriguera, Rene Prieto, Rainer Schulte
Associate Professor: Charles Hatfield, Monica Rankin
Master of Arts in Latin American Studies
36 semester credit hours minimum
Coursework: 36 Semester Credit Hours
Major Core Course: 3 semester credit hours
LATS 6300 Introduction to Latin American Studies
Students are expected to complete this course as early as possible in their program.
Prescribed Electives: 15 semester credit hours
Prescribed electives are selected from the following courses:
HIST 6360 Latin American History
HIST 6361 Thought, Culture, and Society in Latin America
HIST 6365 Mexican History
VPAS 6334 Iberian Culture and Music
LIT 6373 Topics in Latin American Literature
LIT 6380 Translation Workshop
LIT 6396 Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Free Elective Courses: 9 semester credit hours
These three courses may be selected from other courses related to Latin America and/or the students' area of concentration. Students may take approved courses on Latin America topics in the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Free electives must be approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.
Internship or Study Abroad: 3 semester credit hours
Students will also complete a minimum of 3 semester credit hours in an approved study abroad immersion program or a comparable internship program established in partnership with UT Dallas and businesses and/or non-for-profit agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
LATS 6390 Internship in Latin American Studies
Capstone Project: 6 semester credit hours
Having completed thirty semester credit hours of coursework, students must write and present a capstone project on a topic of their choice in Latin American Studies, either a research thesis or final project.
LATS 6399 Capstone Project in Latin American Studies
Professional Option
Students pursuing the professional option in Latin American Studies must complete thirty-six semester credit hours of coursework, including LATS 6300 and 15 semester credit hours of prescribed electives, demonstrate reading proficiency in an approved foreign language, and complete an approved internship or study abroad. They are not required to complete a capstone project and they receive a terminal degree. Normally no more than six semester credit hours of independent study are applicable to the degree plan.