Latin American Studies, Minor

The interdisciplinary Latin American Studies Minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major with knowledge of the history, cultures, politics, economics, societies and ecology of the Latin American region - comprised of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish speaking and French speaking Caribbean. This minor requires proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese and at least 16 semester units or the equivalent in interdisciplinary learning experiences approved by one of the faculty advisors.

The minor in Latin American Studies will complement most of the major programs at CSUMB. A minor in Latin American Studies can also help prepare you for the teaching profession, whether in Spanish, history, or social studies. It is recommended for you if you plan to travel, work or study anywhere in the Latin American region. Students who pursue this minor are encouraged to study and/or travel in Latin America before they graduate.

Required Courses

Please note: Twelve of the units taken to complete a minor (6 of which are upper division) may not be used in fulfillment of other minors, concentrations, or major requirements.

Complete ONE of the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher:
SPAN 306 - Culture/Civilization of Span Ltn Amer Units: 4
SPAN 309 - Hist & Polit Of Latn Amer Units: 4
You must demonstrate that you have Intermediate-High language proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese by:
- Completing an upper-division Spanish language course at CSUMB
- Spanish or Portuguese language study in an overseas program
- Transferring equivalent course credits
- Take an approved assessment at the Intermediate-High level
Complete TWO of the following Humanities courses:
SPAN 262 - Latin American Literature in Translation Units: 4
SPAN 304 - Intro To Hispanic Literature Units: 4
SPAN 306 - Culture/Civilization of Span Ltn Amer
Units: 4
SPAN 425 - La Literatura Mexicana Units: 4
SPAN 426 - Narrativa Hispanoamericana Units: 4
SPAN 427 - Latin American Women Writers Units: 4
SPAN 428 - La Literatura Afrolatina Units: 4
HCOM 328 - Latina Life Stories Units: 4
SBS 325 - Art of the Aztec Empire Units: 4
Complete TWO of the following Social Science courses:
SPAN 307 - History and Culture of Mexico Units: 4
SPAN 309 - Hist & Polit Of Latn Amer
Units: 4
SPAN 311
HCOM 445 - Slavery & Race in the Americas Units: 4
SBS 348 - Maya Civilization Units: 4
SBS 355 - Archaeological Thought and Practice Units: 3
SBS 362 - Research Methods: Qualitative Emphasis Units: 4
SBS 388 - Crisis and Development in Mexican Society Units: 3

Learning Outcomes

Describe and critique the main historical processes, cultural values, social structures that characterize contemporary Latin American societies, including contemporary forms of racial, ethnic, gender, and social inequality.
Read and converse about Latin American affairs with proficiency in Spanish and/or Portugese, and discuss with appreciation Latin American literature.
Describe and critique the complex historical, social, political, and economic conditions that have shaped the contemporary societies of Latin America, and the relationship between these societies and the United States as well as other parts of the world.
Collect, analyze, and evaluate information about Latin America using a variety of information resources and methodologies (e.g., historical, sociological, economic, political, and literary).