Latino and Latin American Studies, BA

The BA with major in Latino and Latin American Studies (LLAS) examines the anthropology, culture, economics, history, language, literature, politics, sociology and creative accomplishments of Latinos in the US. This diverse population includes people who trace their heritage to Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and many other Latin American and Caribbean nations. Students take four required substantive classes (12 hours), four classes (12 hours) in two of three elective areas and also complete either an internship and/or senior research paper (6 hours). LLAS will prepare students to be more competitive in the increasingly challenging and diverse workforce environment.

Hours required and general/college requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor’s degree as specified in the University Core Curriculum in the Academic policies section of this catalog and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences requirements.

Major requirements

A minimum of 30 hours is required in the major, including:

Required courses, 18 hours

Electives, 12 hours

Plus four classes (12 hours) in two of three elective areas:

Country of Origin Studies

Culture and Humanities

Politics and Public Policy

ECON 3150 - Economics of Discrimination
HIST 4160 - Chicano Political History: 19th and 20th Century
PSCI 3101 - Latino Politics
PSCI 3102 - U.S. Immigration Policy
PSCI 3103 - U.S. Immigration Politics
PSCI 3104 - Race and Ethnic Politics
PSCI 3105 - Political Economy of Race, Gender and Immigration
PSCI 3701 - Politics of Mexico
PSCI 3702 - Latin American Politics
PSCI 3703 - Security in Latin America
PSCI 3704 - U.S.-Latin American Relations
PSCI 4650 - Comparative Public Policy
PSCI 4670 - Third World Politics
PSCI 4700 - Topics in Comparative Politics (when topic is “Politics and Issues of Development”)
PSYC 4849 - Topics in Psychology (when topic is “Psychology of Race in the United States”)
SOCI 4540 - Race and Ethnic Minorities

Minor

Students who wish to earn a minor are encouraged to choose business marketing or management, public administration, criminal justice or international studies.

Electives

Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements . Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information, see an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Other requirements

A minimum grade of C is required for an LCEP course to count toward the major.

Four-year degree plan (example)

The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as a guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.

Year 1

Semester 1		Semester 2
PSCI 2305 - US Political Behavior and Policy	3 hours	PSCI 2306 - US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions	3 hours
Communication core	3 hours	Communication core	3 hours
Mathematics core	3 hours	Life and Physical Sciences core	3 hours
Component Area Option A core	3 hours	Social and Behavioral Sciences core	3 hours
CLASS Foreign Language-elementary	3 hours	CLASS Foreign Language-elementary	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Year 2

Semester 1		Semester 2
HIST 2610 - United States History to 1865	3 hours	ANTH 3140 - Latinos in the U.S.	3 hours
Creative Arts core	3 hours	HIST 2620 - United States History Since 1865	3 hours
Life and Physical Sciences core	3 hours	Component Area Option B core	3 hours
CLASS Foreign Language-intermediate	3 hours	CLASS Foreign Language-intermediate	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Year 3

Semester 1		Semester 2
HIST 3150 - Historical and Cultural Development of the Mexican-American Community	3 hours	ENGL 4250 - Latinx Literature	3 hours
Culture and Humanities selection	3 hours	CLASS Distribution-Communication and Digital Skills	3 hours
PSCI required course selection*	3 hours	Culture and Humanities selection	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Elective-advanced	3 hours	Elective-advanced	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Year 4

Semester 1		Semester 2
Capstone selection	3 hours	Capstone selection	3 hours
Politics and Public Policy selection	3 hours	Politics and Public Policy selection	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Elective	3 hours
Elective	3 hours	Elective-advanced	3 hours
Elective-advanced	3 hours	Elective-advanced	3 hours
Total	15 hours	Total	15 hours

Notes

*PSCI 3101 or PSCI 3102 from “Required courses” above.