Requirements

You are strongly advised to consult both the Latin American and Caribbean Studies advisor and your L&S advisor to ensure you stay on track towards a degree.

Proficiency in a language (other than English) widely spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean is required. Spanish, Portuguese, and French are already approved to satisfy this requirement, and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies will determine additional languages that satisfy the certificate. This requirement may be fulfilled by either:

1. successful completion (with a grade of C or above) of any upper-level (numbered 300 or above) course in the target language; or
2. successful completion of a language proficiency examination. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the LACS Certificate Committee.

Students must complete 18 credits in Latin American and Caribbean content courses, 9 of which must be at the 300 level or above and in residence at 51����. The 18 credits include one required course, . Students must select courses from at least three curricular areas, including . No more than 9 credits in any one curricular area may be counted towards the certificate program. Students may count up to 3 credits of a related independent study and up to 3 credits of a related internship. In addition to any Latin American content courses taken in a semester-length, 51����-approved study abroad program in Latin America or the Caribbean, an additional three credits for participating also may be counted, if courses are taken within an immersion setting (as determined by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies). A 2.00 GPA or better must be achieved in all 51���� coursework and in all certificate credits.

Courses that meet the certificate requirements include, but are not limited to, those in the following list. For the most current list of Latin American and Caribbean content courses, see the .

African and African Diaspora Studies

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	The Poetry of African, African-American, and Caribbean Writers	3
	Ad Hoc: (Sex in the Caribbean)	1-6
	African Religious Thought and Social Organizations	3
	Black Cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean	3
	Survey of Black American and Black Brazilian Societies	3
	Change in African-American Communities	3
	The Black Woman in America, Africa, and the Caribbean	3
	Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean	3

Anthropology

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Ancient Civilizations of Latin America	3
		3
	Archaeology of Central and South America	3
	Archaeology of Middle America	3
	The World of the Ancient Maya	3
	Cities and Culture	3

Art History

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	African, New World and Oceanic Art and Architecture	3
	Introduction to the Art and Architecture of Latin America	3
	Art and Culture of Spain and Latin America, 1500-1750	3
	Latin American Modernisms	3
	Art of the Inca and their Ancestors	3
	Art of Ancient Mexico and Central America	3
	Art of the Aztec Empire	3
	Maya Art	3
	Ad Hoc: (Modern Art of Latin America)	1-6

Atmospheric Sciences

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Study Abroad: (Mexico - Air Pollution and Ancient Cultures)	1-12
	Study Abroad: (Mexico - Air Pollution and Ancient Cultures)	1-12

Biological Sciences

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Study Abroad: (Ecology of Tropical Streams in Costa Rica)	1-12
	Study Abroad: (Ecology of Tropical Streams in Costa Rica)	1-12

Comparative Literature

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Experiencing Literature in the 21st Century: (Women and War in Latin America and the Caribbean)	3
	Literature and Society: (Cowboys, Gauchos, and Other Narratives of the Frontier)	3
	Literature and Politics: (Gender and the Historical Novel or Women and War)	3
	Topics in Comparative Literature: (Literary and Artistic Perspectives on Prostitution)	3
	Seminar in Literature and Cultural Experience: (Narratives in Torture)	3
	Literatures and Cultures of the Americas:	3

Conservation and Environmental Science

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Study Abroad: (Ecology of Tropical Streams in Costa Rica)	1-12
	Study Abroad: (Ecology of Tropical Streams in Costa Rica)	1-12

Dance

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	World Movement Traditions: (Argentinian Tango)	2-3

Economics

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	First-Year Seminar: (Prosperity, Poverty, and Economic Justice)	3
	Economic Development	3

English

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Study Abroad: ("Mexico and Cuba - Comparative Globalization" subtitle)	1-12
	World Cinema:	3
Subtitles:
Caribbean Cinema
Latin American Cinema
Mexican Cinema
Latina and Latin American Women Directors
Mexican and Cuban Cinema
	Studies in Film and Television Authorship: (Cuban and Mexican Filmmakers)	3
	Writers in African-American Literature: (Caribbean Literature)	3
	Study Abroad: (Mexico and Cuba - Comparative Globalization)	1-12
	Seminar in Literary History: (Caribbean Literary History)	3

Film Studies

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	World Cinema:	3
Subtitles:
Caribbean Cinema
Latin American Cinema
Latina and Latin American Women Directors
Mexican Cinema
Mexican and Cuban Cinema

French

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Third-Semester French	3
	Fourth-Semester French	3
	French Immersion: Intermediate	1-2
	Conversation and Composition: Intermediate Level	3
	Intensive Grammar and Usage	3
	Phonetics	3
	French Immersion: Advanced	1-2
	Advanced Written Expression	3

Geography

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Study Abroad: (Urban Environmental Changes in Guatemala)	1-12
	Study Abroad: (Urban Environmental Changes in Guatemala)	1-12

History

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Latin American Society and Culture	3
	History of Mexico	3
	Topics in Latin American and Caribbean History:	3

Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies	3

Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Special Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:	3
	Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Arts and Culture:	3
	Study Abroad:	1-12
	Advanced Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:	3
	Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre	3
	Study Abroad:	1-12

Political Science

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Latin American Politics	3
	Health, Wealth, and Democracy	3

Portuguese

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	First-Semester Portuguese	4
	Second-Semester Portuguese	4
	Accelerated Portuguese I	3
	Third-Semester Portuguese	3
	Fourth-Semester Portuguese	3
	Understanding Brazil:	3
	Study Abroad: (The African Presence in Brazil)	1-12
	Ad Hoc: (Accelerated Portuguese)	1-6
	Advanced Composition and Conversation	3
	Advanced Speaking and Listening	3
	Luso-Brazilian Culture:	3
	Study Abroad: (The African Presence in Brazil)	1-12
	Ad Hoc:	1-6
	Independent Reading	1-3

Spanish

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Third-Semester Spanish	3
	Fourth-Semester Spanish	3
	Advanced Writing and Reading	3
	Advanced Speaking and Listening	3
	Advanced Speaking and Listening for Heritage Speakers	3
	Using Spanish in the Business World	3
	Advanced Spanish Grammar	3
	Spanish for Health Professionals	3
	Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics	3
	Business and Legal Spanish	3
	Introduction to Translation: English to Spanish	3
	Understanding Literature and Culture	3
	Health Issues in the Hispanic World	3
	Social and Historical Issues in the Hispanic World: (Latin America - Past and Present)	3
	From the Middle Ages to Modernity: The Rise of the Hispanic World	3
	Contemporary Literature and Culture of Latin America	3
	Topics in Hispanic Culture:	3
Subtitles:
The Spanish Renaissance and its Cultures, 16th and 17th Centuries
Exotic Stories from the Hispanic World - The Pleasure of Words
	Seminar in Latin-American Literature and Culture:	3
	History of the Spanish Language	3

Theatre

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre	3

Urban Planning

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Special Topics in Urban Planning: (Latino Cities)	1-3

Women's and Gender Studies 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Global Anti-Gender Movements	3

Certificate advising is provided by the Center for Latin American Studies. Currently enrolled 51���� students can contact them with questions or proceed directly to the “Declare Your Certificate” button on this page.

Prospective students not yet enrolled at 51���� can contact the college admissions office at 414-229-7711 or let-sci@uwm.edu.

Listed below are the requirements for the Latin America, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies major. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy all university and college general degree requirements. Degree requirements will vary depending on when you took your first college class. We encourage you to consult your advisor regularly to ensure you stay on track towards earning your degree. You can read more about the degree requirements on the L&S Degree Requirements web pages. 

Major Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits in the major, at least 15 of which must be taken at the advanced level (300 and above) in residence at 51����. At least 9 of those credits must represent at least three curricular areas (i.e. one 3-credit course each in three different curricular areas) with no more than 18 credits of approved courses in a singular curricular area. Students are required to complete an e-portfolio for assessment purposes. Students will be assisted in the creation of an e-portfolio, and can ask the LACUSL advisor for direction to an appropriate faculty member.

Study of a language widely spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean is strongly encouraged, but not required. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a combination of LAC area studies and U.S. Latinx-focused courses.

The College requires that all students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at 51����. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.

With approval of program coordinator, a relevant course not currently listed below may be substituted.

The following are required:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core
Introductory courses
	Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies	3
	Introduction to Latino Studies	3
Research Requirement
	LACUSL Senior Research Project	3
or one course accepted for the LACUSL major and satisfying the L&S research requirement from table below 1
Electives
Select 24 credits from table of LACUSL-approved Electives below		24
Total Credits		33

¹

 is the recommended research requirement course. In semesters when  is not offered, the student may substitute an existing course from the table below, provided that the major research project undertaken as part of that course has a distinctly LACUSL topic. The student must inform the instructor they wish to fulfill the research requirement in the course.

If neither of these options is viable, students also may complete the research requirement by taking three credits of , with an appropriate faculty member from the LACUSL associated faculty. L&S guidelines require that students will:

1. develop a research question, statement, or problem;
2. evaluate research in the field of study and integrate it with their findings; and
3. disseminate their findings orally or in writing.

 Courses accepted for the LACUSL major and the L&S research requirement

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
	Black Cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean	3
	Global Black Social Movements	3
	The Black Woman in America, Africa, and the Caribbean	3
	Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean	3
	Latin American Politics	3
	Seminar in Latin-American Literature and Culture:	3

Electives

Electives may be selected from the courses listed below. At least three different departmental curricular codes must be represented among the electives, with no more than 18 credits in any one curricular area. A maximum of 3 credits in an internship (, ,��,��, OR ) may count as an elective for the major.

With approval of program coordinator, a relevant course not listed below may be substituted.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Electives approved for the LACUSL major
	The Poetry of African, African-American, and Caribbean Writers	3
	African Religious Thought and Social Organizations	3
	Black Cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean	3
	Survey of Black American and Black Brazilian Societies	3
	Global Black Social Movements	3
	The Black Woman in America, Africa, and the Caribbean	3
	Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean	3
		3
	Archaeology of Middle America	3
	The World of the Ancient Maya	3
	Ancient Civilizations of Latin America	3
		3
	Archaeology of Central and South America	3
	Archaeology of Middle America	3
	The World of the Ancient Maya	3
	Study Abroad: 2	1-12
	Issues in Bilingualism	3
	African, New World and Oceanic Art and Architecture	3
	Introduction to the Art and Architecture of Latin America	3
	Pre-Columbian Art, Myth, and Legacy	3
	Art and Culture of Spain and Latin America, 1500-1750	3
	Art of the Inca and their Ancestors	3
	Art of Ancient Mexico and Central America	3
	Art of the Aztec Empire	3
	Maya Art	3
	Study Abroad: 2	1-12
	Study Abroad: 2	1-12
	Study Abroad: 2	1-12
	Study Abroad: 2	1-12
	Intercultural Communication	3
	Cross-Cultural Communication	3
	International and Global Communication	3
	Literatures and Cultures of the Americas:	3
	History and Politics of Second Language Education	3
	Using Children's Literature to Explore Latin Am/Latino Cultural Heritage	3
	African Dance & Diaspora Technique I	2-3
	Dance Composition III	2-3
	Economic Development	3
		3
	The Chicano Experience	3
		3
	Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature:	3
	World Cinema:	3
	Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature	3
	Theories of Digital Culture:	3
	Language, Power, and Identity	3
	Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature:	3
	Transnational Migrations: People on the Move	3
	Racial Minorities in the United States	3
	Indians, Artists, and Conquistadores: The U.S. Southwest	3
	Migration and Gender: Starbucks, Sex Trafficking, and Nannies	3
	Queer Migrations	3
	Global Violence, Disease, and Death	3
	Conversation and Composition: Intermediate Level	3
	Intensive Grammar and Usage	3
	Phonetics	3
	French Immersion: Advanced	1-2
	Advanced Written Expression	3
	Latin American Society and Culture	3
	The History of Latinos in the United States	3
	Topics in Global History:	3
	Topics in Global History:	3
	History of Mexico	3
	Topics in Latin American and Caribbean History:	3
	Topics in American History:	3
	Immigrant America Since 1880	3
	Race and Ethnicity in the Media	3
	Internship in Latin American/Caribbean Studies, Lower Division	1-3
	Internship in Latin American/Caribbean Studies, Upper Division	1-3
	Special Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:	3
	Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Arts and Culture:	3
	Internship-Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies, Lower Divison	1-3
	Study Abroad:	1-12
	Advanced Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:	3
	Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre	3
	Internship in Latin American, Caribbean, and US Latinx Studies, Upper Level	1-3
	Study Abroad:	1-12
	The History of Latinos in the United States	3
	Internship in Latino Studies, Lower Division	1-6
	Advanced Topics in U.S. Latino Studies:	3
	Perspectives on Latino Communities	3
	Internship in Latino Studies, Upper Division	1-6
	Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature:	3
	Queer Migrations	3
	Introduction to Second Language Acquisition	3
	Issues in Bilingualism	3
	Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics	3
	Latin American Politics	3
	Health, Wealth, and Democracy	3
	The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration	3
	Understanding Brazil:	3
	Advanced Composition and Conversation	3
	Advanced Speaking and Listening	3
	Luso-Brazilian Culture:	3
	Independent Reading	1-3
	Race and Ethnicity in the United States	3
	Perspectives on Latino Communities	3
	Race and Ethnicity in Global Contexts	3
	Advanced Writing and Reading	3
	Advanced Speaking and Listening	3
	Advanced Speaking and Listening for Heritage Speakers	3
	Using Spanish in the Business World	3
	Advanced Spanish Grammar	3
	Spanish for Health Professionals	3
	Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics	3
	Business and Legal Spanish	3
	Introduction to Translation: English to Spanish	3
	Understanding Literature and Culture	3
	Introduction to Latino Literature in English	3
	Health Issues in the Hispanic World	3
	From the Middle Ages to Modernity: The Rise of the Hispanic World	3
	Contemporary Literature and Culture of Latin America	3
	Seminar in Latin-American Literature and Culture:	3
	History of the Spanish Language	3
	Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre	3
	Global Anti-Gender Movements	3

²

Study abroad must be in a relevant context, for example, in a Latin American country.

During your time at 51����, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.

College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:

• Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
• Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
• Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
• Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
• Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.

Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:

• Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department. 
• Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
• Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.

Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video. 

Currently enrolled students should use the  to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call -414-229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven’t enrolled in classes yet should call 414-229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.

Requirements

To obtain the certificate, students must complete 18 credits in approved Latinx courses, including 9 credits at the 300 level and above in residence at 51����, with a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Students must select courses from at least three curricular areas, including . No more than 9 credits in a single curricular area may count toward the certificate. Students may count up to 3 credits of a related independent study and up to 3 credits of a related internship. For additional program information, contact the Latinx Studies Coordinator (Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
	Introduction to Latino Studies	3
Electives
Select 15 credits from the following: 1		15
	Archaeology of the American Southwest
	Cities and Culture
	Issues in Bilingualism
	Intercultural Communication
	Cross-Cultural Communication
	History and Politics of Second Language Education
	Developing Biliteracy
	Using Children's Literature to Explore Latin Am/Latino Cultural Heritage
	Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata I
	First-Year Seminar: (subtitle: Prosperity, Poverty, and Economic Justice)
	The Chicano Experience
	Introduction to Ethnic Minority Literature:
	Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature:
	World Cinema: (Latina and Latin American Women Directors)
	Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature
	Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature
	Theories of Digital Culture: (Latino and Latin American Popular Culture)
	Language, Power, and Identity
	Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature:
	Transnational Migrations: People on the Move
	Selected Topics in Ethnic Studies: (Women as Migrant Workers)
	Migration and Gender: Starbucks, Sex Trafficking, and Nannies
	Queer Migrations
	Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Milwaukee:
	Historical Roots of Contemporary Issues: (U.S.-Mexico Borderlands)
	The History of Latinos in the United States
	Topics in Global History: (History of Media: Latin American and U.S. Latino Worlds)
	Immigrant America Since 1880
	Race and Ethnicity in the Media
	Special Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:
	Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Arts and Culture:
	Advanced Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:
	Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre
	Internship in Latin American, Caribbean, and US Latinx Studies, Upper Level
	LACUSL Senior Research Project
	Independent Study
	Special Topics in U.S. Latino Studies:
	The History of Latinos in the United States
	Internship in Latino Studies, Lower Division
	Advanced Topics in U.S. Latino Studies:
	Perspectives on Latino Communities
	Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature
	Internship in Latino Studies, Upper Division
	Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature:
	Advanced Independent Study
	Queer Migrations
	Issues in Bilingualism
	Introduction to Health Disparities
	Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics
	The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration
	Psychology of Race, Ethnicity, and Health
	Race and Ethnicity in the United States
	Perspectives on Latino Communities
	Third-Semester Spanish
	Fourth-Semester Spanish
	Advanced Writing and Reading
	Advanced Speaking and Listening
	Advanced Speaking and Listening for Heritage Speakers
	Using Spanish in the Business World
	Advanced Spanish Grammar
	Spanish for Health Professionals
	Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
	Business and Legal Spanish
	Introduction to Translation: English to Spanish
	Understanding Literature and Culture
	Introduction to Latino Literature in English
	Topics in Latino Literature in English:
	Health Issues in the Hispanic World
	Special Topics in Urban Planning: (subtitle: Latino Cities)
Total Credits		18

¹

Must include 9 credits numbered 300 and above. Consult the Certificate coordinator for approval to count additional appropriate courses with at least 25% Latinx content not listed here.

Certificate advising is provided by the Center for Latin American Studies. Currently enrolled 51���� students can contact them with questions or proceed directly to the “Declare Your Certificate” button on this page.

Prospective students not yet enrolled at 51���� can contact the college admissions office at 414-229-7711 or let-sci@uwm.edu.