Latin American and Latino/a Studies Concentration - Interdisciplinary Studies Major

Program Director: Dr. Nicole Fabricant
Liberal Arts Building 3355
Phone: 410-704-5221
Email: nfabricant@towson.edu

The Latin American and Latino/a Studies Concentration within the Interdisciplinary Studies major allows students to approach the study of Latin America and Latinos/as in the United States from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is an appropriate concentration for those intending to pursue Latin American and Latino/a Studies or Spanish at the graduate level, for those anticipating living or working in Latin America, or for those wishing to acquire expertise in Latin America for a career in government and/or business.

Training in Latin American and Latino/a studies is an excellent preparation for careers in education, business and government. Graduates find employment with businesses such as export/import companies, international banks, tour and travel companies and the international media. Government agencies, such as the State Department, seek individuals trained in Latin American and Latino/a studies. Employment opportunities exist for translators, researchers and in other areas.

Requirements for the Concentration

Students in the Latin American and Latino/a Studies Concentration complete SPAN 301 or its equivalent, and a minimum of 36 units. The concentration requires 6 units in foundations courses, 6 units in advanced study courses, a 6-unit capstone experience, and 18 units of electives. Students must complete a minimum of 6 units in at least three of the following disciplines: anthropology, art history, economics history, geography, music, applied music, political science, sociology or Spanish.

Foundations
LAST 100LATIN AMERICA: ISSUES AND APPROACHES3
HIST 122LATIN AMERICA: NATIONAL PERIOD3
Advanced Study
Select two of the following:6
TRADITION & REVOLUTION IN LATIN AMERICA
GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA
THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICAN
CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION OF LATIN AMERICA
HISPANIC POPULAR CULTURES
Capstone Experience
Latin American and Latino/a Studies students should plan early how they intend to fulfill their capstone requirement. Participation in the study abroad / away program in Latin America is strongly recommended:6
Option One (recommended)
Study Abroad / Away Experience in Latin America (see guidelines)
Option Two
Select two of the following:
MODEL ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
DIRECTED READINGS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
DIRECTED READINGS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
INTERNSHIP IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
HONORS THESIS (in Latin American and Latino/a Studies Themes) 1
Electives
Select six of the following approved courses in Latin American and Latino/a Studies:18
Anthropology
DRUGS IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
TRADITION & REVOLUTION IN LATIN AMERICA
TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY 2
SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY 2
INTERNSHIP IN ANTHROPOLOGY I 2
INTERNSHIP IN ANTHROPOLOGY II 2
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH 2
READINGS IN ANTHROPOLOGY (HONORS) 2
HONORS THESIS IN ANTHROPOLOGY 2
Art History
LATIN AMERICAN ART: 1800 TO PRESENT
Economics
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Geography
GEOGRAPHY OF LATIN AMERICA
SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOGRAPHY 2
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES SPECIAL TOPICS 2
SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPACE AND SOCIETY 2
SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY 2
TRAVEL AND STUDY 2
DIRECTED READNGS IN GEOGRAPHY 2
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN GEOGRAPHY 2
History
LATIN AMERICA: COLONIAL PERIOD
THE ANDEAN REPUBLICS
HISTORY OF MEXICO: NATIONAL PERIOD
HISTORICAL THEMES 2
INTERNSHIP 2
DIRECTED READING 2
HONORS DIRECTED READINGS 2
HONORS THESIS IN HISTORY 2
International Studies
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ABROAD 2
Latin American and Latino/a Studies
MODEL ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
SPECIAL TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
DIRECTED READINGS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
DIRECTED READINGS IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
INTERNSHIP IN LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINO/A STUDIES
Music Applied
ENSEMBLE: WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE 2
ENSEMBLE: WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Music
SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC HISTORY AND CULTURE 2
Political Science
THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICAN
LATIN AMERICAN POLICY OFTHE UNITED STATES
SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 2
SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 2
SPEC TOPICS POSC 2
SPEC TOPICS POSC 2
SPECIAL TOPICS POSC 2
SPEC TOPICS POSC 2
SPEC TOPICS POSC 2
SPEC TOPICS POSC 2
SPECIAL TOPICS IN POSC 2
SPEC TOPICS POSC 2
INDEPENDENT STUDY 2
INTERNSHIP I 2
DIRECTED READINGS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 2
HONORS THESIS IN POSC 2
Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OF IMMIGRATION
Spanish
COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION II
CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION OF LATIN AMERICA
SURVEY OF SPANISH-AMERICAN LITERATURE
SPANISH FOR BUSINESS
HISPANIC POPULAR CULTURES
SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPANISH 2
DIRECTED READINGS IN SPANISH LITERATURE 2
DIRECTED READINGS IN SPANISH 2
TRAVEL STUDY ABROAD 2
INTERNSHIP IN SPANISH 2
Total Units36
1

Open to departmental honors program students only.

2

When concerned with Latin America.

Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

First Year
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
FORL 1013FORL 2013
Core 1 (or Core 2)3LAST 1003
Core 43Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Elective3Core 33
Elective3Core 63
 15 15
Second Year
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
HIST 122 (Core 12)3Advanced Study Courses23
SPAN 301 (Core 5)3LAST Elective3
Core 93Core 74
Core 113Core 133
Elective3Elective3
 15 16
Third Year
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Advanced Study Courses23LAST Elective13
LAST Elective3LAST Elective 13
Core 84LAST Elective 13
Core 103Core 143
Elective3Elective3
 16 15
Fourth Year
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
LAST Elective13Capstone I13
Elective3Capstone II13
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective1
 15 13
Total Units 120
1

 PLEASE NOTE: The required course work for the major in the last three semesters is designed to be maximally flexible, affording study abroad opportunities, indepedent study possibilities, etc. 

2

Course options: ANTH 369, GEOG 461, POSC 351, SPAN 312SPAN 455 

  1. Students possess the ability to integrate knowledge and modes of thinking across two or more disciplines.
  2. Students communicate effectively in the presentation of interdisciplinary materials through various modes of transmission.
  3. Students conduct, analyze and apply research from two or more disciplines or through interdisciplinary research.