Latin American Studies

A dancer in a traditional costume at Carleton's annual Dia de los Muertos celebration

Latin American Studies provides a framework for understanding the culture and institutions of the region. Students examine the ideas, literary and aesthetic forms, and historical events of Latin America. We view human problems and experiences from many viewpoints. And we use tools and methodologies from several scholarly disciplines.

The Latin American Studies Program provides a framework for studying the diverse societies of Latin America. With its cultural mosaic shaped by the meeting of Native American, European, African, and Asian peoples, and its profound geographic, social, and economic variations, Latin America presents rich opportunities for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study. By drawing upon the perspectives and methodologies of several disciplines, students are challenged to pursue a deeper understanding of the cultures, institutions, and experiences of Latin Americans. The program provides a forum for examining the intersection of issues of politics, economic development, ethnicity, gender, religion, and cultural expression.

Students interested in exploring Latin American Studies as a possible major are strongly encouraged to enroll in at least one of several gateway courses early in their career at Carleton. Those designated courses are: History 170 Modern Latin America, 1810-present, Political Science 221 Latin American Politics, Sociology/Anthropology 353 Ethnography of Latin America, and Spanish 242 Introduction to Latin American Literature.

Students complete a minimum of 66 credits in approved courses for the major. Majors must also demonstrate competence in Spanish by completing Spanish 205 or equivalent.

Required Courses: (The following core courses are required of all majors):

HIST 170: Modern Latin America
LTAM 300: Issues in Latin American Studies
LTAM 400: Integrative Exercise

In addition, majors are required to complete:

Two 300-level Latin America-focused courses offered in the Spanish department
One 300-level history, or sociology/anthropology, or political science course focused on Latin America
30 additional credits of electives from the list below. The 300-level courses in the Spanish department that are required are always taught in the language.

Students are strongly encouraged to complete the non-Spanish 300-level course prior to writing their integrative exercise, and to select a 300-level course in a discipline appropriate to the focus of their anticipated comps topic. Students who complete this requirement with a 300-level history course must take at least one approved sociology and anthropology or political science course as an elective.

Up to 27 credits from work in approved off-campus programs may be counted as electives for the major. Credits in natural science courses taken in Latin America may be applied toward the electives requirement if the director approves. Up to twelve elective credits may be comparative or Latino in focus (Economics 240, 241, Religion 227, Sociology/Anthropology 203, 233). No more than four courses (twenty-four credits) in any one discipline may apply to the major.

Elective Courses:

The Latin American Studies Minor provides students with a framework for developing a deeper understanding of Latin American history, society, and culture from an interdisciplinary perspective, and is intended to complement a disciplinary major. Minors pursue a program of study combining language training with courses in the humanities and social sciences, culminating in an integrative seminar.

Students interested in exploring Latin American Studies as a possible minor are strongly encouraged to enroll in at least one of several gateway courses early in their career at Carleton. Those designated courses are:

HIST 170: Modern Latin America: Modern Latin America, 1810-present
POSC 221: Latin American Politics: Latin American Politics
SOAN 353: Ethnography of Latin America (not offered 2024-25): Ethnography of Latin America, and
SPAN 242: Introduction to Latin American Literature: Introduction to Latin American Literature.

HIST 170: Modern Latin America Modern Latin America, 1810-present (not offered 2022-23)
LTAM 300: Issues in Latin American Studies Issues in Latin American Studies
LTAM 398: Latin American Forum Latin American Forum
6 credits in Latin American Literature (above Spanish 219 and not in translation) from the list below
18 elective credits
- 6 credits from the list below in an advanced course in the Social Sciences (200-300 level in Economics, Political Science, or Sociology/Anthropology)
- 12 credits focusing on Latin American (and/or US. Latino Literature) from the list below or relevant off-campus studies programs (Carleton or non-Carleton affiliated).
Students must also complete Spanish 204 or equivalent

Electives may be chosen from the following list:

LTAM 101 Elementary Portuguese

LTAM 110 Portuguese for Spanish Speakers

LTAM 113 Archeology of Ancient Latin America

LTAM 220 Eating the Americas: 5,000 Years of Food

LTAM 230 Ancient People of the Andes

LTAM 300 Issues in Latin American Studies

LTAM 330 Ancient Peoples of the Andes

LTAM 398 Latin American Forum

LTAM 400 Integrative Exercise

About Latin American Studies

Requirements for the Latin American Studies Major