Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies is offered by the Latin American Studies Program within the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

Latin American Studies (LAS) offers an interdisciplinary approach to learning about the politics, economics, cultures and societies of Latin America and the Caribbean. LAS uses this region as a framework for exploring thematic issues in such disciplines as anthropology, art, history, political science, Spanish and Portuguese, and communication studies. Courses are offered in departments from every school and college, and our affiliated faculty research diverse topics from development economics to immigrant healthcare, from Latin American music to colonial literature. Our students become true experts who can speak to a wide range of issues confronting Latin America; experts who can contribute proactively to development and cooperation, as well as to business and political analysis in a way that their peers with a more traditional disciplinary focus cannot.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-LAS-BA

Distinction in Major

Latin American Studies majors may graduate with distinction in the major if they have a GPA of at least 3.5 in the major and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Contact Information

Latin American Studies Office
4^th Floor Mazur Hall

Monica Ricketts, Director (on sabbatical Fall 2023; returning Spring 2024)
921 Gladfelter Hall
monica.ricketts@temple.edu

Danielle Scherer, Director (Fall 2023)
1008A Gladfelter Hall
danielle.scherer@temple.edu

Michelle Xu, Administrator
215-204-5628
xu.michelle@temple.edu

Annette Vega, Coordinator
215-204-2877
avega1@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are LAS 4097 and one of the following: LAS 2097, LAS 2098, LAS 4698.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
    • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
    • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
      • Third semester of a foreign language;
      • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
      • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
      • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
      • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (36 credits)

¹

Students who have completed the Latin American Studies Semester may waive this course.

²

Excluding courses used for another part of the major. Select from the approved list of undergraduate courses in Latin American Studies. See advisor for this list.

³

From the approved list of undergraduate courses in Latin American Studies.

⁴

Indicates Writing Capstone for the Major.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

¹

Latin American Studies Semester (LASS) can replace LAS 1001; see an advisor for this option.

²

Check prerequisites for 4000+ literature option.

³

LAS 4097 offered only once a year; see advisor before senior year.