Latin American Studies
College of Humanities
3
Average
Class Size
12
Declared
Majors
Bennion
Center
Hinckley
Institute
Learning Abroad
Courses
Getting Started
- Take HIST 1300 - Latin American Civ to 1820 & HIST 1310 - Latin American Studies Civ Since 1820
- Begin language coursework at the 1010 level; check with an advisor if you have previous language experience
Making Progress
- Continue language & conversation coursework
- Take CLAC courses
- Earn credit towards your major through a learning abroad or global internship
Take Latin American Studies Electives such as:
- ANTH 3140 - Cultures of Latin America
- ARTH 3510 - Modern Latin American Art
- HIST 3300 - History of Mexico
- POLS 3500 - Democracy in Latin America
- GEOG 3670 - Geography of Latin America
Finishing Up
- Complete 5000+ level approved electives
- Finish language & conversation courses
- Complete your college experience by trying a CEL course, conducting research, completing an internship, or learning abroad
Community
Getting Started
- Attend a club meeting with the Spanish Club, Portuguese Club, Nahuatl Club, M.E.Ch.A, and/or Latinos in Action
- Live on the Go Global Floor
- Follow UofU Latin American Studies Program on Facebook & Instagram @uofu.ias
Making Progress
- Apply to live in the Humanities House
- Join a club & participate consistently
- Volunteer with Comunidades Unidas, the Dream Center, or the Bennion Center
- Become a peer mentor or an ambassador for international students with the International Student & Scholar Services Office
Finishing Up
- Get involved with the Alumni Association
- Apply for leadership within ASUU or campus clubs
- Get involved with the M.E.Ch.A High School Conference
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Meet with an advisor every semester
- Explore double majors & minors
- Attend a scholarship workshop
- Visit the Knowledge Commons
- Work on essays with the Writing Center
- Select complementary Gen Ed courses
Making Progress
- Try job shadowing & conduct informational interviews
- Apply for a local internship through the Humanities Internship Coordinator
- Take a research methods course related to your interests
- Attend Marriott Library workshops
- Attend an Office of Undergraduate Research Workshop & apply for research opportunities through UROP
- Create your graduation plan
- Declare a second major or minor if desired
Finishing Up
- Present research at a conference
- Take a test prep course for your graduate school applications (GRE, GMAT, etc.) at Continuing Education and Community Engagement
- Attend an academic/professional conference
Transformation
Getting Started
- Participate in a Bennion Center Saturday Service Project
- Utilize faculty office hours
- Attend a Learning Abroad 101 session
- Attend Hinckley Forums
Making Progress
- Go on an Alternative Break or Learning Abroad trip
- Chat about goal-setting outside of the classroom with your advisor
- Apply for fellowships (Goff, Sorenson, Sustainability Scholars, etc.)
- Attend the Learning Abroad Returnee Student Panel
- Compete in HIP Talks at the Hinckley Institute
- Apply to be an Alternative Break Student Site Leader
- Identify a faculty mentor
- Take a Hinckley course; HNKLY 3910, HNKLY 4905, or HNKLY 4914
Finishing Up
- Apply for the Oxford Human Rights Consortium
- Apply for post-grad fellowships
- Complete a global internship
- Submit to the Hinckley Research Journal
Impact
Getting Started
- Live in the Bennion Service House
- Brainstorm a list of topics you care about
- Connect to campus events & use your Arts Pass
- Attend MUSE Casual Fridays
Making Progress
- Apply to the Bennion Scholars Program
- Identify a community or topic where you want to make an impact
- Seek out leadership opportunities through Student Leadership & Involvement
- Apply to a MUSE Scholar
- Work with your faculty mentor on an impact project
- Connect with a MUSE professor
Finishing Up
- Apply for Presidential Ambassadorship
- Become a mentor for other students
- Complete the Bennion Scholars Capstone
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate your Handshake account
- Find different career paths at the Going Global Career Panel
- Visit the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
- Explore careers through CPDC workshops, Meet & Eats, & Career Treks
Making Progress
- Apply for a job on campus
- Make internship connections with networkers at the Going Global Career Panel
- Attend the Career Fair
- Draft your resume & use walk-in hours for feedback at CPDC
- Speak with your advisor about alumni you can connect with
- Create a LinkedIn Profile & review alumni profiles
- Register for HUM 3960 Humanities Career Compass
Finishing Up
- Join AlumniFire
- Network for career paths & future job opportunities at the Going Global Career Panel
- Attend the Career Conference
- Practice mock interviews
- Meet with a Career Coach
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Latin American Studies at the University of Utah provides a deep understanding of the peoples, politics, and history of Latin America. Through the rigorous study of languages, societies, and culture, you will gain a rigorous foundation for understanding global issues and their impact on Latin America.
In this major, students will develop analytical and methodological tools from a variety of disciplines. With coursework grounded in language, you will gain or expand on your proficiency in Portuguese, Nahuatl, Quechua, or Spanish. You will also select a variety of Latin America-focused classes from across campus. This interdisciplinary approach gives you the flexibility to pair your major with pre-health courses, a minor, a second major, and/or experiential learning activities related to your academic and career goals.
You'll be able to practice critical language and cultural skills through first-hand experience by studying abroad, completing internships in a related field, researching a project with faculty, or working directly with local communities. The critical language and intercultural skills gained as a Latin American Studies major are applicable both domestically and internationally in fields such as education, healthcare, non-profits, business, and many others.
In this major, students will develop analytical and methodological tools from a variety of disciplines. With coursework grounded in language, you will gain or expand on your proficiency in Portuguese, Nahuatl, Quechua, or Spanish. You will also select a variety of Latin America-focused classes from across campus. This interdisciplinary approach gives you the flexibility to pair your major with pre-health courses, a minor, a second major, and/or experiential learning activities related to your academic and career goals.
You'll be able to practice critical language and cultural skills through first-hand experience by studying abroad, completing internships in a related field, researching a project with faculty, or working directly with local communities. The critical language and intercultural skills gained as a Latin American Studies major are applicable both domestically and internationally in fields such as education, healthcare, non-profits, business, and many others.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop or expand proficiency in a foreign language(s) in order to navigate a Latin American nation and communicate with its people.
- Build a base of Latin America-oriented knowledge, skills, and global awareness that equips you for an international career.
- Demonstrate an understanding of history, cultures, politics, and fundamental ideas and institutions of Latin America.
- Analyze and communicate about contemporary issues of Latin America and/or Latin American Diasporas through a critical, interdisciplinary lens.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.