(Major Code: 03081) (SIMS Code: 114301)
General Information
The Master of Arts degree administered by the center is an interdisciplinary program drawing on the expertise of an outstanding Latin Americanist faculty from the following departments: Anthropology, Art, Communication, Comparative Literature, Economics, Geography, History, Journalism, Music, Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Health, Sociology, Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures, Women’s Studies, and the Fowler College of Business.
Research interests and areas of expertise of the faculty include: applied social science, art and art history, demography, economic development, education, food and nutrition, health, immigration, Indigenous cultures and languages, land tenure systems, the Latin American press, mental health and aging in Mexico, religion, social movements, Spanish American prose, poetry and criticism, theatre, transborder populations and life, U.S.-Latin American relations, and the U.S.-Mexico border.
Admission to the Degree Curriculum
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration , the student must present the Bachelor of Arts degree with not less than 18 units of courses of Latin American content in three areas. A student whose preparation is deemed insufficient by his graduate adviser or by the Latin American Studies committee will be required to complete specified courses in addition to the minimum of 30 units required for the degree.
Advancement to Candidacy
All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees . Moreover, students must demonstrate an oral and reading proficiency in Spanish through either the satisfactory completion of an oral and a written examination, or: (1) complete Spanish 302 with a grade of B (3.0) or better, or (2) complete three units of 500-level or graduate coursework in Spanish with a grade of B (3.0) or better, or (3) pass the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) oral proficiency examination in Spanish with a score of 2.0 or above. In addition, students must complete either Portuguese 101 or one semester of an indigenous Latin American language (such as Mixtec, Náhuatl, or Zapotec) with a grade of B (3.0) or better. Coursework at or above the 500-level may be included as a part of the official program with the approval of the graduate coordinator.
Specific Requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the Master of Arts degree, as described in Requirements for Master’s Degrees , the student must complete at least 30 units of upper division and graduate coursework, including LATAM 600 and LATAM 601 , with not less than 24 units in courses of Latin American content selected from those listed below and distributed as follows:
| |
600- and 700-numbered Courses |
500-, 600-, and 700-numbered Courses |
|
| Department A |
6 units |
6 units |
|
| Department B |
3 units |
3 units |
|
| Department C |
3 units |
3 units |
|
| Total |
12 units |
12 units |
|
The total program shall include a minimum of 18 units in 600- and 700-numbered courses. Students may select either Plan A or Plan B in consultation with the graduate adviser. In addition to meeting the distribution requirements given above, students electing Plan A must complete the 799A (Thesis) course and present their thesis research as an oral examination with all committee members present. Successful presentation of thesis research is a requirement for the degree. Students electing Plan B must pass a comprehensive written and oral examination in lieu of the thesis.
All programs will be approved by the Latin American Studies committee.
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