Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Latin American Studies (BA)
Students who complete the major in Latin American Studies will explore the region through three main avenues of study: (1) history; (2) economics, political science, and business; and (3) literature, language, and culture. Students are encouraged to specialize in one of these pillars while incorporating the program's multidisciplinary perspective.
At least one-half of the semester credit hours for a major must be taken at UT Dallas.
Courses in Latin American Studies are open to all students in the University.
Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Jennifer S. Holmes, Manuel (Manny) Martinez, Rene Prieto, Rainer Schulte
Associate Professors: Charles Hatfield, Monica Rankin, Shilyh Warren
Assistant Professors: Katherine Davies, Humberto González Núnez
Associate Professor of Instruction: Jeffrey Schulze
Visiting Assistant Professor: Toni Muñoz-Hunt
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses (see advisor and degree requirements)
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
HIST 2350 Latin American Civilizations
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses (see advisor)
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses (see advisor)
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
GEOG 2303 World Regional Geography
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses (see advisor)
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses (see advisor)
II. Major Requirements: 39-45 semester credit hours
Introduction to Latin America Preparatory Requirement: 3-9 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
HIST 2350 Latin American Civilizations
Choose 6 semester credit hours from the following:
LIT 2350 Close Reading
HIST 3301 Historical Inquiry
GEOG 2303 World Regional Geography
Foreign Language Requirement: 12 semester credit hours of Approved Language
The language requirement is 12 semester credit hours, or equivalent, of the same language, usually Spanish, or another approved language of relevance to Latin American Studies. Students can petition the Program Head for exceptions. If the language credit is obtained without taking classes, twelve additional semester credit hours of Free Electives (upper-division or lower-division) can be taken by student.
Latin American Studies Major Core Courses: 6 semester credit hours
LATS 3301 Latin American Literature2
Choose 3 semester credit hours from the following:
HIST 3398 Colonial Latin American History3
HIST 3399 Modern Latin American History3
Latin American Studies Major Electives: 18 semester credit hours
Students must complete courses from the following list in at least two disciplinary areas. Students must complete at least 9 semester credit hours in a single disciplinary area.
History Electives
HIST 3391 Modern Mexico
HIST 3398 Colonial Latin American History3
HIST 3399 Modern Latin American History3
HIST 4369 Topics in Borderlands History
HIST 4359 Topics in Latin American History
HIST 3397 Study Abroad in Latin America (may be repeated as topics vary)
Other HIST courses with emphasis on Latin America may be considered.
Social Sciences Electives
CRIM 3319 Comparative Justice Systems4
GEOG 2302 The Global Environment4
GEOG 2309 Principles of Geospatial Information Sciences4
GEOG 3359 Human Migration and Mobility4
GEOS 2321 Geology, Resources, and Environment of Latin America
Other geographical, political, and economic courses with emphasis on Latin America may be considered.
Language, Literature, and Culture Electives
LATS 3301 Latin American Literature2
LATS 3302 Latin American Film
LATS 3303 Latin Social Dance
LATS 4329 Major Authors
3000 or 4000-level SPAN courses
LANG 4348, LIT 3319, and LIT 3337 with Latin American related subtitles will be allowed.
III. Elective Requirements: 33-39 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 33 semester credit hours
Both upper-and lower-division courses may be used as electives
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of AHTC 1100.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. Core courses offered by the school may count as lower-division semester credit hours toward the minor. Topics courses must be approved by the school. The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology will substitute courses as necessary. At least one-third of the semester credit hours for a minor must be taken at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Minor in Latin American Studies
18 semester credit hours
Students must enroll in a minimum of two courses in Spanish or French at UT Dallas at the level determined by the language placement exam.
Latin American Studies Courses: 12 semester credit hours
Choose any four courses from the following:
HIST 2350 Latin American Civilizations
CRIM 3319 Comparative Justice Systems
GEOS 2321 Geology, Resources, and Environment of Latin America
IMS 3091 Regional Management Area Studies: Latin America5
IMS 3V91 Regional Management Area Studies: Latin America5
IPEC 4304 Political Economy of Latin America
LANG 4348 Advanced Topics in Language
HIST 3379 United States Relations with Latin America
HIST 3391 Modern Mexico
HIST 3397 Study Abroad in Latin America
HIST 3398 Colonial Latin American History
HIST 3399 Modern Latin American History
HIST 4359 Topics in Latin American History
PSCI 4331 Mexican Politics
PSCI 4332 Latin American Politics
SPAN 4364 Advanced Spanish Culture
Language Courses: 6 semester credit hours
Choose two courses from the following:
SPAN 1311 Beginning Spanish I
SPAN 1312 Beginning Spanish II
SPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 2312 Intermediate Spanish II
SPAN 3363 Spanish Composition and Style
SPAN 3311 Advanced Spanish I
SPAN 3312 Advanced Spanish II
SPAN 4301 Advanced Spanish Conversation
FREN 1311 Beginning French I
FREN 1312 Beginning French II
FREN 2311 Intermediate French I
FREN 2312 Intermediate French II
LANG 3342 Advanced Language Instruction
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. LATS 3301 is repeatable for credit; first completed attempt used for Major Core and subsequent attempts may be used as an elective.
3. Students may not count a major core course as a History elective.
4. Topics courses, CRIM 3319, GEOG 2302, GEOG 2309, GEOG 3359, and PSCI 4348 must be approved by the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology before enrolling to ensure that the course subject matter is predominantly Latin American.
5. IMS 3091 and IMS 3V91 require IMS 3310 as a prerequisite
6. PSCI 4348 must be approved by the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology before enrolling to ensure that the course subject matter is predominantly Latin American.
7. LANG 3348 and LANG 4348 must be French or Spanish language-based sections.