Latin American and Latino Studies B.A.

Information and Policies

Introduction

A degree in Latin American and Latino studies (LALS) trains students to be critical and analytical thinkers, to be active, engaged global citizens, and to be skilled strategic activists in making the world a more just place for all. An LALS bachelor of arts (B.A.) prepares students to learn from and work with people from a variety of cultures and perspectives, to understand the complexity of our current political, social, and cultural moment, and to use skills from many disciplines and fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Critical Thinking. Ability to analyze from a transnational/transborder/translocal perspective—to see the interconnections between Latin American and Latino issues, people, ideas, problems, and solutions. This includes key skills, such as understanding sources, comparing arguments, analysis, and historical perspective.
2. Research Methods. Working knowledge of social scientific and/or humanistic approaches to LALS relevant topics. This includes acquiring qualitative and quantitative skills, gathering or obtaining research data, finding/using primary sources, and other research methods.
3. Communication. Key communication skills, including written, oral presentation, and digital, including an understanding of media sources and ability to apply media literacy to cross-cultural analysis.
4. Lifelong Learning Skills. Acquisition of practical hands-on skills in community engagement, cross-cultural fluency, familiarity with Latin America, and familiarity with Latino experience acquired through experiential learning while working with community and civic organizations.

Academic Advising for the Program

Advising information for new and continuing students is available on the LALS Advising website. Make an appointment with an advisor or peer advisor through Navigate Slug Success or contact us at any time at lalsadvising@ucsc.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

LALS Undergraduate Program
32 Merrill Academic Building
(831) 459-2119
lalsadvising@ucsc.edu

Getting Started in the Major: Frosh

Students interested in the LALS major are encouraged to enroll in the required LALS lower-division course, chosen from LALS 1 or LALS 5 or LALS 10, and/or the required lower-division elective course as soon as possible, to confirm their interest in the major and to qualify to declare the major.

Transfer Information and Policy

Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) welcomes transfer students. Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to the University of California, Santa Cruz. Find this information and more online at our LALS Undergraduate Program site.

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students interested in transferring to UC Santa Cruz as an LALS major are encouraged to enroll in courses that satisfy the lower-division requirements prior to transfer. Visit Assist.org to review transfer articulations and contact the LALS undergraduate advisor with any questions.

Getting Started in the Major: Transfer Students

Transfer students must complete one LALS course taught at UC Santa Cruz to qualify to declare the LALS major. Students should contact the LALS undergraduate advisor if they have questions about transfer credit and to make an academic plan.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

LALS Major

To declare an LALS major, students must successfully complete any one LALS course with a grade of C or better or Pass.

LALS Major with Language Intensive Concentration

In addition to completing any one LALS course with a grade of C or better or Pass to declare the major, students pursuing the Language Intensive Concentration must have a viable plan for establishing proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, or another approved language in sufficient time to take the required two courses taught in the second language by the expected graduation term.

Appeal Process

Students who did not satisfy the major declaration requirement but believe there are extenuating circumstances may file a written appeal. Appeals should be submitted to undergraduate advising by sending an email to lalsadvising@ucsc.edu. Students must file the appeal within 15 days of denial of major declaration. The department will notify the student and college of the decision within 15 days of the receipt of the appeal.

How to Declare a Major

Students may declare the major through the MyUCSC portal. Any questions should be directed to the LALS undergraduate advisor.

Letter Grade Policy

The program does not have a letter grade policy. Major and minor requirements will be met with grades of C or better or Pass, within the parameters of the UC Santa Cruz Pass/No Pass grading policy.

Course Substitution Policy

Students may use up to two courses taken outside the LALS Department at UC Santa Cruz toward major requirements. This includes courses taken at UC Santa Cruz in non-LALS departments and all courses taken at other institutions, including through study abroad programs. Students may review a list of pre-approved substitutions that satisfy the lower- and upper-division elective requirements. Students may contact the undergraduate advisor to inquire about additional courses that may be approved to count as electives or if they plan to study abroad. Transfer students who have completed LALS-related work prior to transfer should contact the undergraduate advisor to ask about transfer credit.

Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy

LALS students are encouraged to consider double major and major/minor plans. Contact the undergraduate advisor for more information.

Study Abroad

The LALS Department encourages students to participate in Global Learning programs whenever possible. We offer a summer Global Internship program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that satisfies an elective requirement in LALS. There are also many other learning programs offered throughout the academic year in: California, Washington, D.C., Latin America, and elsewhere across the globe. Find out more on the Global Learning website or visit their offices on campus.

Honors

LALS awards honors in the major based on overall student academic performance in courses that count toward the major. To receive the strongest consideration for honors in the major, the following grade point average (GPA) criteria must be met: highest honors, 4.0; honors, 3.7.

Latin American and Latino Studies Major

Course Requirements

The LALS major requires 10 courses with two labs: two 5-credit lower-division courses (or equivalent), two upper-division core courses and a core writing lab, five 5-credit upper-division electives, and the senior seminar and writing lab.

Lower-Division Requirements

One LALS Introductory Course

One lower-division elective

One 5-credit course from from LALS courses numbered 1-99, including additional LALS introductory courses (LALS 1, 5, or 10). Students may also review the list of pre-approved outside electives found in the Course Substitution Policy. A maximum of two courses taken outside of the LALS Department at UC Santa Cruz may be used toward major requirements.

Upper-Division Requirements

LALS Core Courses

Five Upper-Division LALS Electives

Students take five additional 5-credit electives chosen from LALS 101-194. Students may substitute up to two courses outside the LALS Department at UC Santa Cruz toward major requirements. See the Course Substitution Policy in the Information and Policies section for more details. Students may review the list of pre-approved outside electives, which count toward this two-course limit. Students who wish to use an independent study course to satisfy an elective requirement should contact the undergraduate advisor.

Senior Seminar

All students complete one senior seminar (LALS 194 A-Z, excluding L) and a writing lab (LALS 194L). This requirement satisfies the Comprehensive Requirement.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement for the Latin American and Latino Studies B.A. is met by completing:

Comprehensive Requirement

The Comprehensive Requirement is fulfilled by completing one senior seminar (LALS 194 A-Z, excluding L) and a writing lab (LALS 194L).

Planners

The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.

Four-Year Sample Planner for Frosh Students (can be completed in three years)

*or LALS 5 or LALS 10 when offered.

**WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year.

Two-Year Sample Planner for Transfer Students

*If not already satisfied by transfer credit.

Latin American and Latino Studies Language Intensive Concentration

The LALS B.A. with Language Intensive Concentration requires 13 courses and two labs: three lower-division courses, two upper-division core courses and one core lab, seven upper-division electives--two or more must be taken in second language(s)--and the senior seminar and lab.

Lower-Division Requirements

One LALS Introductory Course

Two lower-division electives

Two 5-credit courses chosen from LALS courses numbered 1-99 including additional LALS introductory courses (LALS 1, 5, or 10). Students may also review the list of pre-approved outside electives found in the Course Substitution Policy. A maximum of two courses taken outside of the LALS Department at UC Santa Cruz may be used toward major requirements.

Upper-Division Requirements

LALS Core Courses

Seven Upper-Division LALS Electives

Students take seven additional elective courses, with two or more taught primarily in a second language. Students may choose these electives from LALS 101-194 or the list of courses taught primarily in Spanish below. Students may also choose courses from the pre-approved outside electives list. Note that courses on the pre-approved outside electives list, as well as non-LALS courses on the list of courses taught primarily in Spanish, count toward the limit of two outside courses described in the Course Substitution Policy.

Courses taught primarily in Spanish

At least two elective courses must be taught in a second language(s) of Spanish, Portuguese, or another approved language. Courses taken in a language other than Spanish may require study abroad/study at another university.

Students can self-place into LALS courses taught in Spanish; other departments may have prerequisites for their approved electives. See the undergraduate advisor for more information.

Senior Seminar

The Comprehensive Requirement is fulfilled by completing one senior seminar (LALS 194 A-Z, excluding L) and a writing lab (LALS 194L).

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement for the Latin American and Latino Studies Language Intensive Concentration is met by completing:

Comprehensive Requirement

All students complete one senior seminar (LALS 194 A-Z, excluding L) and a writing lab (LALS 194L).

Planners

The tables below are for informational purposes and do not reflect all university, general education, and credit requirements. See Undergraduate Graduation Requirements for more information.

Four-Year Sample Planner for Frosh Students

*or LALS 5 or LALS 10 when offered.

** WRIT 2 should be taken in or before spring quarter of the second year.

Two-Year Sample Planner for Transfer Students

Plan assumes language preparation prior to transfer sufficient to place student in SPAN 4 or SPHS 4 (Spanish for Heritage Speakers 4).

*If not already satisfied by transfer credit.