Liberal Arts
introduction |
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Academic Programs / Liberal Arts
Latin American Studies
Ronald Webb, Director
832 Anderson Hall
215-204–7527
rwebb@temple.edu
www.temple.edu/las
Latin American Studies offers three academic programs for undergraduates: the Latin American Studies Major, the Latin American Studies Minor, and the Latin American Studies Semester (LASS). We also offer two certificates, in association with other academic departments, in Spanish & Latin American Studies for Business and Latino Studies & Spanish for the Health and Human Services Professions.
The Latin American Studies Major is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on the study of social problems of Latin America. Latin America's art, literature, and religious thought have been universally recognized for their high quality and contribution to world civilization. At the same time, extreme social inequality persists in Latin America in addition to rapid urban growth, dramatic ecological change, and political upheavals with powerful local and global implications. The Latin American Studies major offers a variety of courses that examine these issues. To complete the major, students must take twelve 3-credit courses in Latin American Studies and demonstrate a reading and speaking knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese.
Requirements for the Major
All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are listed below and are identified by "WI" in the RCI column.
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Introduction to Latin American Studies - Select one: |
3-6 |
|
LAS |
1001 |
Perspectives on Latin America
or
The Latin American Studies Semester Program (LASS) |
|
IS |
LAS |
2097 or 4698 |
Writing Intensive course (other options pending approval) |
3 |
WI |
LAS |
Electives |
Select eight courses, excluding LAS 1001, 2097, 4097 and 4698, from the approved
list of undergraduate courses in Latin American Studies. See advisor for
this list. |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spanish-American Literature Courses - Select one: |
3 |
|
Spanish |
3241
any 4000+-level
course
|
Spanish-American Culture & Civilization
or
Spanish-American literature course taught in Spanish from the approved
list of undergraduate courses in Latin American Studies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LAS |
4097 |
Latin American Studies Seminar (offered only one time per year) |
3 |
WI* |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
36-39 |
|
* Indicates Writing Capstone for the Major |
|
|
Requirements for the Minor
The Latin American Studies Minor enables students to combine the requirements of their majors with the study of Latin America. It is designed to be of particular value to students who intend to engage in technical, professional, business, or government work involving Latin America. To earn the minor, students must complete six 3-credit courses in subjects with a Latin American emphasis and demonstrate a reading knowledge and speaking facility of Spanish or Portuguese.
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Select one Introductory Course: |
3-6 |
|
LAS |
1001 |
Perspectives on Latin America
or
Latin American Studies Semester Program (LASS) |
|
IS |
|
|
|
|
|
LAS |
Electives |
Select four or five courses, depending on number of credits of
chosen introductory course, from the approved list of undergraduate
courses in Latin American Studies. See advisor for this list. |
12-15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students also must demonstrate reading knowledge and speaking facility of Spanish or Portuguese through one of the following methods: |
Spanish or Portuguese
or
LASS
or
Proficiency examination |
|
2000+
or
Latin American Studies Semester
or
Proficiency examination |
3
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please note: LASS Program counts as one introductory course and one elective. |
|
|
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.
Latin American Studies Semester (LASS)
The Latin American Studies Semester (LASS) has been offered every spring semester since 1973. It is a program designed to provide an intensive experience in the study of the Spanish language in combination with an interdisciplinary study of life and contemporary issues in Latin America.
LASS is an integration of several courses, totaling 17 semester hours credit, and must be taken as a package. Because of the credit-hour load and because the objective is to concentrate on Spanish and Latin American Studies, no other courses may be taken without prior approval.
The prerequisite for participation in LASS is two semesters of university-level Spanish or the equivalent. Students with more advanced levels of course background are encouraged to participate in the program as well. All participants in the program may expect to achieve marked improvement in Spanish fluency in only one semester.
- Morning sessions held from 9:00 to 11:50 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays offer language instruction and conversation practice at intermediate and advanced levels guided by native or near native speakers.
- Morning sessions held from 9:30 to 10:50 and from 11:00 to 12:20 on Tuesdays and Thursdays focus on Latin American culture and economic development.
- A LASS Seminar held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:10 to 3:00 highlights a series of topics in Latin American and Latino studies, includes presentations by guest speakers, and also provides for personal contact with the Latino community of Philadelphia.
An integral part of the LASS program is a two-week trip to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico during the spring semester recess. The trip is akin to a laboratory in which students can practice their developing language skills. Students are placed in local homes where the only language of communication is Spanish. They experience at firsthand something of one Latin American country's culture, history, and social development.
Suggested Semester-by-Semester plans
Requirements for New Freshman Students Starting in the 2009-2010 Academic Year
Freshman Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
English |
0802, 0812 or 0902 |
Analytical Reading & Writing |
4 |
GW |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Quantitative Literacy |
4 |
GQ |
Spanish |
1001 |
Basic I |
4 |
LA |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Race & Diversity |
3 |
GD |
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
IH |
0851 or 0951 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I |
3 |
GY |
Spanish |
1002 |
Basic II |
4 |
LA |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Science & Technology I |
3 |
GS |
LAS |
1001* |
Perspectives on Latin America |
3 |
IS |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
World Society |
3 |
GG |
Subtotal |
|
|
16 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
1003 |
Intermediate |
3 |
LB |
IH |
0852 or 0952 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II |
3 |
GZ |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Science & Technology II |
3 |
GS |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
U.S. Society |
3 |
GU |
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Human Behavior |
3 |
GB |
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
2 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
17 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
2001 |
Conversational Review |
3 |
|
GenEd |
08xx or 09xx |
Arts |
3-4 |
GA |
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15-16 |
|
|
Junior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
2002 |
Hispanic Readings |
3 |
|
Spanish |
2096 |
Composition |
3 |
WI |
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Junior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
3001 |
Advanced Composition & Con. |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
LAS |
2097
or
4698 |
Writing Seminar I
or
Revolutionary Mexico |
3 |
WI
WI |
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
3241**
or
4000+ |
Spanish-American Culture & Civilization
or
a 4000+ Literature Course |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
LAS |
4097*** |
Latin American Studies Seminar |
3 |
WI |
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Degree Total |
123 |
|
|
*LASS can replace LAS 1001; see an advisor about this option.
|
**Prerequisites for Spanish 3241 are Spanish 1001, 1002, 1003, 2001,
2002, 2096, and 3001.
Check prerequisites for 4000+ Spanish literature option. |
***LAS 4097 offered only once a year; see advisor before senior year. |
Requirements for New Transfer Students Starting in the 2009-2010 Academic Year
Freshman Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
English |
0802, 0812 or 0902 |
Analytical Reading & Writing |
4 |
CO/GW |
Spanish |
1001 |
Basic I |
4 |
LA |
Core |
0800+ |
One Quantitative Reasoning A Course |
3-4 |
QA/GQ |
Core |
0800+ |
One Arts Course |
3-4 |
AR/GA |
Subtotal |
|
|
14-16 |
|
|
Freshman Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
IH |
0851 or 0951 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar I |
3 |
IA/GY |
Spanish |
1002 |
Basic II |
4 |
LA |
LAS |
1001* |
Perspectives on Latin America |
3 |
IS |
Core |
0800+ |
One Quantitative Reasoning B Course |
3-4 |
QB/GQ |
Core |
1000+ |
One Science & Technology A Course |
3-4 |
SA |
Subtotal |
|
|
16-18 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
1003 |
Intermediate |
3 |
LB |
IH |
0852 or 0952 |
Mosaic: Humanities Seminar II |
3 |
IB/GY |
Core |
0800+ |
One Science & Technology B Course |
3-4 |
SB/GS |
Core |
0800+ |
One Individual and Society Course |
3 |
IN/GB |
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15-16 |
|
|
Sophomore Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
2001 |
Conversational Review |
3 |
|
Core |
0800+ |
One American Culture Course |
3 |
AC/GU |
Core |
0800+ |
One Studies in Race Course |
3 |
RS/GD |
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
2 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
17 |
|
|
Junior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
2002 |
Hispanic Readings |
3 |
|
Spanish |
2096 |
Composition |
3 |
WI |
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Junior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
3001 |
Advanced Composition & Conversation |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
LAS |
2097
or
4698 |
Writing Seminar I
or
Revolutionary Mexico |
3 |
WI
WI |
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
Senior Year – 1st Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
Spanish |
3241**
or
4000+ |
Spanish-American Culture & Civilization
or
a 4000+ Literature Course |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
LAS |
2000+ |
LAS Course From Approved List |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
1-2 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
16-17 |
|
|
Senior Year – 2nd Semester |
Department |
Course # |
Course Name |
Hours |
RCI |
LAS |
4097*** |
Latin American Studies Seminar |
3 |
WI |
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
CLA/CST |
0800-4999 |
Any CLA/CST Elective |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
3 |
|
Any |
0800-4999 |
One Elective in Any School or College |
3 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Degree Total |
|
123 |
|
*LASS can replace LAS 1001; see an advisor about this option.
|
**Prerequisites for Spanish 3241 are Spanish 1001, 1002, 1003, 2001,
2002, 2096, and 3001.
Check prerequisites for 4000+ Spanish literature option. |
***LAS 4097 offered only once a year; see advisor before senior year. |
|