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Latin American Studies

The Latin American Studies Program (LASP) is interdisciplinary, focusing on the history, politics, social organization, economy, geography, music, religion, art, and literature of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Faculty members from across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences participate in the Latin American Studies Program as affiliated faculty members. Other University of Iowa faculty members occasionally offer courses and participate in the program's research, study, and interdisciplinary activities.

The Latin American Studies Program prepares students for graduate study or for Latin America-related careers in business, communications, government, bilingual/bicultural education, secondary teaching, community organizing, and international work.

In addition to its instructional activity, LASP sponsors a wide variety of activities, brings scholars of Latin America to campus, and fosters institutional linkages.

The Latin American Studies Program is administered by International Programs.

Undergraduate Programs

• Certificate in Latin American Studies
• Minor in Latin American studies

Certificate

The Certificate in Latin American Studies requires a minimum of 24 s.h. The certificate program is open to current University of Iowa undergraduate students (except those earning a major in international studies with an emphasis in Latin American studies) and to all individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are not enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the certificate. Completion of the certificate is noted on the student's transcript.

A student may earn the certificate or the minor in Latin American studies, but not both.

The 24 s.h. required for the certificate must be earned in LASP-approved courses (see "Associated Courses" and "Courses" below) and must include at least 12 s.h. of credit earned at The University of Iowa. All students develop an individual certificate plan of study in close cooperation with a LASP advisor. They may count a total of 12 s.h. of credit earned for majors, minors, and other certificates toward the Certificate in Latin American Studies. In some cases, students may be able to count certificate courses toward certain General Education Program requirements.

The Certificate in Latin American Studies requires the following course work.

The required Spanish and Portuguese courses (6 s.h.) must be chosen from the lists under "Associated Courses" and "Courses" below.

The required additional courses (12 s.h.) also must be chosen from the lists under "Associated Courses" and "Courses" below. They must include courses from at least two different departments, and they may include a maximum of one (3 s.h.) additional course in Spanish or Portuguese.

Study Abroad

The program highly recommends study abroad in Latin America. Students must have prior approval to apply credit from a study abroad program toward the certificate requirements; contact the Latin American Studies Program.

Minor

The minor in Latin American studies requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in LASP-approved courses (see "Associated Courses" and "Courses" below), including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. For the minor, 100-level courses are considered advanced. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.

A student may earn the minor or the certificate in Latin American studies, but not both.

Students may count a total of 6 s.h. earned for majors, certificates, and other minors toward the Latin American studies minor. The minor is interdisciplinary, so it may include a maximum of 6 s.h. of credit from any single department or program.

Students are strongly encouraged to take either or both of these for the minor. 

Study Abroad

The Latin American Studies Program highly recommends, but does not require, that students have an in-depth Latin American cultural experience, usually through study abroad, before completing their undergraduate requirements.

In cooperation with International Programs Study Abroad, LASP faculty members facilitate student participation in programs in many Latin American countries. University of Iowa students may enroll in programs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, and Uruguay. Programs range from intensive language study to group programs with a special focus. The University of Iowa cosponsors these programs through various consortiums.

Study abroad courses may be counted toward requirements for the certificate and the minor with prior approval from a LASP director.

Financial Support

Students are encouraged to apply for a Stanley Undergraduate Scholarship for International Research/Fieldwork through University of Iowa International Programs. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding University of Iowa undergraduates who, in close consultation with a faculty member, propose well-conceived, small-scale research or fieldwork projects that require travel abroad. Students may conduct projects while participating in a study abroad program and may combine the scholarship with other awards and financial assistance. For information regarding other scholarships, contact LASP advisors, International Programs staff, and the LASP director.

Activities

In addition to its instructional activity, LASP organizes a range of public programming activities each semester, including film series, photography and art exhibits, conferences, roundtable discussions, and lectures. Recent events have included an international conference on contemporary Cuba and speakers on cinema, indigenous movements, human rights, and art.

Associated Courses

The following courses are approved for the Latin American studies certificate and minor. Students may petition to include other courses that have significant Latin American content; consult the Latin American Studies Program.

Anthropology
 

Art
 

Cinema and Comparative Literature
 

Communication Studies
 

Dance
 

English
 

History
 

International Studies
 

Music
 

Political Science
 

Portuguese
 

Spanish
 

Rotating Topics

The focus of these courses changes from semester to semester. With prior approval, students may use these courses to satisfy requirements for the Latin American studies certificate or minor when the course focuses on Latin America.

Courses

All Latin American Studies Program courses are approved for the certificate and minor.