Latin American and Latino Studies

The Academic Program

Students interested in the Latin American and Latino Studies Program are invited to consult with the program coordinator and members of the LALS Committee before developing a proposal. The proposal should establish how Latin American and Latino Studies relates to the overall program of undergraduate study and to the departmental major. The minor is open to students of all divisions.

Study Abroad or Other Immersive Learning Experience

Students are required to spend at least one semester engaging in an immersive experience off campus. By extending learning beyond the traditional classroom, students have distinctive opportunities for enriching intellectual experiences and unique opportunities for personal growth.  There are two ways to fulfill this requirement: (1) Studying abroad for a semester in a program approved by the LALS coordinator and Office of Global Engagement or (2) Completing a summer internship or service project in Latin American or in a Latinx community in the United States, as approved by the LALS coordinator.

Students are encouraged to discuss this requirement with the LALS coordinator, who can offer advice about both study abroad programs and how to find internships and apply for summer scholarships to support internships offered by the Lang Center and Provost’s Office.  Note that students on financial aid may apply that aid to designated programs of study abroad and should consult with the Office of Global Engagement for details.

Students choosing the study abroad option should be mindful of the following: Study abroad must be pursued in Spanish or Portuguese. Students should fulfill the LALS language requirement (SPAN 004 or equivalent) before going abroad. With respect to courses taken abroad, students may apply up to two such courses toward the LALS major or minor.  The LALS coordinator must approve those courses as having sufficient LALS content to qualify.  Language courses are not available for study abroad credit.  Students are strongly encouraged to complete the introductory course requirement (see below) prior to their immersive off-campus learning experience.

Course Minor

In addition to fulfilling the language and immersive experience requirements, students pursuing a LALS course minor must meet the following requirements:

• Take a minimum of five credits that are LALS-listed or LALS-eligible.
• One of those five must be LALS 010 (“Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies”).
• Of the other four credits, at least one must be in the SS division and one in the HUM division.

Honors Minor

In addition to fulfilling the language and immersive experience requirements, students pursuing a LALS Honors major must meet the following requirements:

• Take a minimum of five credits that are LALS-listed or LALS-eligible.
• One of those five must be LALS 010 (“Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies”).
• Two credits must consist of a LALS-listed two-credit honors seminar (e.g., POLS 109, HIST 149, REL 109, SPAN 103, SPAN 108).  This seminar cannot be offered within the department of the student’s Honors major

Course Major

In addition to fulfilling the language and immersive experience requirements, students pursuing a LALS course major must meet the following requirements:

• Take a minimum of eight credits that are LALS-listed or LALS-eligible.
• One of those eight must be LALS 010 (“Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies”).
• One of the eight must be a one credit senior thesis, which serves as the senior comprehensive exercise.
• Of the other six credits, at least one must be in the SS division and one in the HUM division.

Honors Major

In addition to fulfilling the language and immersive experience requirements, students pursuing a LALS Honors major must meet the following requirements:

• Take a minimum of ten credits that are LALS-listed or LALS-eligible.
• One of those ten must be LALS 010 (“Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies”).
• Six credits must consist of three two-credit Honors preparations.  These can be Honors seminars that are LALS-listed (e.g., POLS 109, HIST 149, REL 109, SPAN 103, SPAN 108).  Students will have the option of doing a two credit honors thesis as one of the three preparations.  Students declaring a LALS Honors major but also declare an Honors minor in another department.
• Of the nine credits beyond LAL 010, at least one must be in the SS division and one in the HUM division.
   

Additional Policies

For all majors and minors:

• Students in the graduating class of 2025 may substitute a different course for LALS 010 in consultation with the LALS coordinator if they did not have the ability to fit it into their schedules in the two years it was offered.
• Only one of the five courses used for a LALS minor may overlap with a student’s major or other minor.
• A maximum of two credits from outside Swarthmore (ie, from study abroad or classes taken at TriCo institutions) can be applied to any LALS major or LALS minor.
• To be eligible for the major or minor, all students must maintain a minimum grade of “B” in the program and a “C” average in any other coursework.

Life After Swarthmore

Swarthmore graduates who have taken part in the Latin American and Latino Studies Program find that their rich understanding of the cultures and people of Latin America and Latinos in the U.S. is attractive to employers. Graduates most frequently pursue careers in public service, law, government, education, humanities, social sciences, and the media.

Latin American and Latino Studies Courses

The following courses are eligible for credit toward a minor or special major in Latin American and Latino Studies:

* All papers and projects for affiliated courses must focus on topics related to Latin American and Latino Studies

• LALS 010. Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies
• LALS 015. First Year Seminar: Introduction to Latinx Literature and Culture
• LALS 056. Brazilian Society in Film
• LALS 057. Performing Latinidad: Latinx Film, Theater & Performance Art
• LALS 062. The Politics of Latinx Art and Activism
• LALS 063. Latinx Images: Film and Visual Culture.
• LALS 069. History of TV in the Americas
• LALS 090. Thesis
• LALS 093. Directed Reading
• LALS 180. Senior Honors Thesis