The Major and Minor

To talk to someone about the Latin American Studies degree or to declare your major or minor, contact lastadv@tulane.edu.

All majors and minors work very closely with their Undergraduate Advisor to create a course of study that meets personal goals as well as University and Stone Center requirements. All undergraduate Latin American Studies students are automatically subscribed to an electronic mailing list that informs students of University and Stone Center deadlines, and of Latin America-related events both on and off campus. 

Both majors and minors in Latin American Studies are strongly encouraged to study in Latin America both for the experience and also because much of the coursework taken abroad counts toward the Latin American Studies degree. For current information on study abroad opportunities, please visit the Stone Center’s Summer Programs page. 

Because Latin American content courses are offered in most disciplines, the Stone Center generates and maintains a list of classes that count towards the major and minor prior to the start of each semester. Students should be aware that many Latin American content courses do not have an LAST course number. While most classes appear under Latin American Studies on the University Class Schedule, “special topics” that count toward the major and minor will NOT appear on the class schedule. Please contact the Stone Center’s Director of Undergraduate Affairs if you are interested in taking a course for Latin American Studies credit that does not appear in our listings and we will contact the instructor regarding course content. 

 

 

Latin American Studies Major

The Latin American Studies major requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in ten Latin American content courses. Courses are selected from the various departments offering classes in the field as well as from Latin American Studies. In addition, students must demonstrate linguistic fluency in a Latin American language.  

Latin American Studies majors must demonstrate linguistic competency in either Spanish or Portuguese. This can be done in one of three ways: 

  • complete with a passing grade at least one course at the 4000-level or higher in Spanish or Portuguese 

  • complete with passing grades at least one semester of coursework in Spanish or Portuguese on a study abroad program 

  • place into the 600-level on the language test administered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese 

Note that language classes below the 3200-level do not count as electives for the Latin American Studies major or minor programs. 

Required Courses for the Major  

  • LAST 1010 Introduction to Latin American Studies (3 credits) 
  • LAST 4000 Core Seminar (4 credits) 
  • One of the following: 
    • LAST 3000 Approaches to Latin American Studies (3 credits) 
    • LAST 3010 Approaches to Latinx Studies (3 credits) 
  • Seven electives: 
    • One (1) may be at any level (3 credits) 
    • Two (2) must be at the 2000-level or higher (6 credits) 
    • Two (2) must be at the 4000-level or higher (6 credits)
    • Two (2) must be at the 6000-level (3 credits)

LAST 3000 and 3010 may be used as electives if not used to fulfill the requirement. Students who take at least 20 college credits in courses with Latin American content while on academic programs in Latin America approved by Tulane are required to take only two courses at the 6000-level. All 6000-level coursework for the major must be taken in residence at Tulane University; courses taken abroad will not count toward this requirement.

 

Latin American Studies Minor 

A minor in Latin American Studies consists of 15 credit hours in 5 courses. 

Required Courses for the Minor 

  • LAST 1010 (3 credits)

  • Two (2) electives at the 2000-level or higher (6 credits)

  • Two (2) electives at the 4000-level or higher (6 credits)

 

Stone Center Advising

The Stone Center’s Undergraduate Advisor is available to assist any student interested in Latin American Studies with decisions regarding coursework, independent studies, internships, study abroad programs, career counseling, grants and fellowships and extra-curricular opportunities. While it is not compulsory to seek advising, it is an integral part of the Latin American Studies degree program and all majors and minors in Latin American Studies are encouraged to meet with the Stone Center’s Undergraduate Advisor each semester to evaluate their course of study. In the weeks before any registration period, course information listing Latin American offerings in cooperating departments is compiled and made available in the Stone Center offices and on the Center’s website. After considering the list, students should make an appointment to discuss the offerings and learn the recommendations of the department. The Stone Center’s Undergraduate Advisor is your first stop for information on the Latin American Studies program; you can contact them at lastadv@tulane.edu. 

 

For more information on the Stone Center’s policies and procedures, consult the Undergraduate Student Resources page.

For information on relevant Latin American Studies electives for the semester, view the Course Offerings page.