UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AND MINOR IN LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES

Latin American Studies Certificate and Minor
The Latin American Studies certificate and minor, provides a comprehensive view of Latin America from the perspectives of anthropology, geography, political science, economics, Spanish and Portuguese literatures, communication, history, sociology, and other fields. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the University's Study Abroad Programs in Latin America and to spend a summer, semester, or year abroad.

The Certificate
The undergraduate Certificate Program constitutes the heart of the Latin American Studies offerings. The Certificate Program enables students, regardless of their major, to develop a concentration in Latin American/Latino Studies as a supplement to their regular disciplinary studies. Students entering the Certificate Program have an opportunity to study the Latin American area from the perspective of diverse disciplines and points of view, culminating in an integrating interdisciplinary seminar in the senior year. Those students who fulfill the requirements of the program are awarded a Certificate in Latin American Studies attesting to their achievements in language and area studies.

There are two tracks within the Certificate Program, and their requirements are listed below. One track emphasizes language proficiency, and the other area studies. Students wishing further information or those who intend to complete the program, should contact the chief advisor.

Requirements may be satisfied by both regular course offerings and special topics and seminars. A list of available courses that may be applied to the requirements is compiled every semester, and may be obtained at the Center. These typically include offerings in Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Latin American Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Portuguese, Sociology, Spanish, and Women Studies. Appropriate courses from the Five College offerings may also be used to fulfill requirements. See notes below.

Track A: Language Emphasis
1. Languages
a. Students must demonstrate a practical working knowledge, defined as the ability to engage in ordinary conversations and to read mature but nontechnical material, of Spanish or Portuguese. This knowledge may be demonstrated by examination or by satisfactory performance in either SPAN 311 or 312; or either PORT 311 or 312 .

b. Completion of the two beginning semesters of the other language (Spanish or Portuguese), or demonstration of equivalent competency by examination.

2. Area Studies
Successful completion of four courses with Latin American or Latino studies content selected from at least three distinct disciplines. A list of available courses that may be applied to the requirements is compiled every semester, and may be obtained at the Center.

3. Interdisciplirnary Course
All Certificate students must complete LAT AM 394 Interdisciplinary Seminar on Latin America.

Track B: Area Studies Emphasis
1. Languages
Students must demonstrate a practical working knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese. For details see above under Track A, la.

2. Area Studies
Successful completion of six courses with Latin American or Latino studies content selected from at least three distinct disciplines, with no more than three from any one discipline. A list of available courses that may be applied to the requirements is compiled every semester, and may be obtained at the Center.

3. Interdisciplinary Course
All Certificate students must complete LAT AM 394 Interdisciplinary Seminar on Latin America.

The Minor
The Minor in Latin American Studies, which does not replace the Certificate, is intended for those students who do not have the degree of language competence required for the certificate, but who are interested in developing an area specialization for their majors. Requirements include a minimum of six 3-credit courses selected from at least three distinct approved disciplines, with no more than two from any one discipline.

Some students may be sufficiently certain of their career goals so that they wish to concentrate on earning an interdisciplinary baccalaureate degree in Latin American Studies instead of a regular discipline. For the student whose future work will be entirely in Latin America or who intends to enter an interdisciplinary postgraduate Latin American Studies program, it is possible to major in Latin American Studies through the University's Bachelors Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) Program.

Notes on Requirements:
1. All courses applied to the requirements of the Certificate and the Minor must be completed with grades of “C” or better.
2. At least one half of the courses for the Certificate and the Minor must be completed on the University’s Amherst campus.
3. Courses completed at other institutions, including the Five Colleges, must be approved by petition to the Chief Advisor of the program.
4. Students may take the Interdisciplinary Seminar, LAT AM 394, prior to their senior year. If their major requires many senior- level courses, students are encouraged to fulfill Certificate Program requirements as early as possible.
5. The Certificate is awarded at the time of graduation, and will not be awarded if Bachelor’s Degree requirements are not completed.

Career Opportunities
The main goal of the Latin American Studies Certificate and Minor Programs is to enable students, regardless of their major, to develop a concentration in the area as a supplement to their regular disciplinary studies. This concentration has proved very helpful in preparing students for the following types of occupations: U.S. Governmental Agencies (State Department, Foreign Service, U.S. Information Service, Agency for International Development, etc.); International Development Organizations (Organization of American States, Inter-American Development Bank); multinational corporations with branches in Latin America; and domestic, state and local agencies serving Hispanics. For some jobs, additional graduate work in either Latin American Studies or a traditional discipline may be necessary. Many students go on to pursue M.A. or Ph.D. degrees.