Latin American and Latino Studies/Education, Democracy, and Justice B.A.

Information and Policies

Introduction

A combined major in Latin American and Latino studies (LALS, pronounced el-ay-el-es) and education, democracy, and justice (EDJ, pronounced "edge") builds on both departments’ interdisciplinary social justice orientations to bridge theory and practice, with core required courses and elective field experiences that incorporate history and insights from participatory forms of research and community organizing to highlight the relationships between educational justice, Latina/o/x studies, democratic politics, race studies, and social change.

LALS courses train 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. Study in LALS 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. LALS investigates the historical, economic, social, and cultural processes that are shaping and transforming the Americas region, including California. By viewing societies as interrelated—specifically U.S. Latino/a communities and Latin American/Caribbean communities—LALS analyzes how local, regional, global, and transnational dimensions affect histories, politics, ethnicities, races, and cultures.

EDJ courses provide opportunities to examine critical questions, theories, practices, and research in the field of education, considered broadly and not only in relation to formal schooling. Courses in the major provide the conceptual knowledge for students to engage in critical thinking about social and policy contexts as well as everyday practices affecting inequitable structures in schooling, society, and culture that have enduring impacts on the quality of our democracy and communities.

Students choosing a combined major in LALS and EDJ will find themselves prepared for a wide variety of careers and/or graduate study, including teaching credential programs and/or masters degrees in education, Ph.D. programs, public policy, educational administration, and inclusive student outreach programming. Students may also choose to complete a second major or minor program alongside the combined major, to focus in a specific area of instruction in preparation for a single subject teaching credential.

Academic Advising for the Program

The combined major in LALS and EDJ is housed in the LALS Department, and the LALS undergraduate advisor should be the first point of contact for majors and prospective majors. Students are also welcome to meet with an EDJ advisor or peer advisor to discuss elective options and course planning as needed.

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

EDJ Undergraduate Advising
educationadvising@ucsc.edu

Getting Started in the Major

Students interested in the combined major in LALS and EDJ should complete one LALS lower-division course, chosen from LALS 1 or LALS 5 or LALS 10, and EDUC 60 in their first year, which will qualify them to declare the major. Students will also need proficiency in the Spanish language sufficient to take an elective course taught in Spanish by the senior year. Students are encouraged to meet with the LALS undergraduate advisor to create an academic plan.

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. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the key theoretical perspectives and existing research on innovative teaching and learning approaches that value and promote historically disadvantaged and underserved communities and their cultural and linguistic resources. Students will demonstrate knowledge of broad historical, social, and political contexts that impact equal opportunity to learn and contribute to society, and the role that education and schooling can play in expanding opportunity.

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. Students will apply critical perspectives in reflecting on and/or conducting research and/or fieldwork, and present their findings in multi-modal forms.

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. Students will demonstrate oral and written communication skills through individual and group presentations and assignments in their courses.

4. Language. Proficiency in Spanish.

5. 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. Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of transformative teaching and learning principles that can be applied in a wide range of learning environments and youth serving educational organizations.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

Students must complete the required lower-division courses with grades of C or better or Pass before the major can be declared.

One EDJ course:

One course chosen from:

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.

Transfer Information and Policy

Students planning to declare in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission.

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Students interested in transferring to UC Santa Cruz as a combined LALS and EDJ 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 advisors for LALS and EDJ with any questions.

Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student

Transfer students must complete the lower-division course requirements to declare the combined major in LALS and EDJ, and should focus on completing these classes as soon as they start at UCSC (if they have not completed these courses prior to transfer). Students should contact advisors for LALS and EDJ with questions regarding transferable coursework.

Letter Grade Policy

The program does not have a letter grade policy. Major 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.

Education Abroad Program (EAP)

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. And there are 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

For combined majors, academic performance must meet the criteria in both departments to be awarded honors. Honors can only be conferred if both departments agree.

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.

A student with a major GPA of 3.75 or better qualifies for honors in the EDJ major. A student with a major GPA of 3.90 or better qualifies for highest honors in the major. Courses and credits taken at UC Santa Cruz to satisfy the major requirements are used to calculate the major GPA. Courses transferred from other institutions (with the exception of study abroad programs through UCSC) are not calculated into the major GPA.

Requirements and Planners

Course Requirements

Combined LALS and EDJ majors are required to take 11 5-credit courses and two writing labs. One of the courses must be taught in Spanish.

Lower-Division Requirements

Take this course:

Plus one course chosen from:

Upper-Division Requirements

Take the following courses:

Plus one course chosen from:

Upper-Division Elective Courses

Up to three elective substitutions are allowed (with department approval) if the student completes an education abroad program. Students must work with the undergraduate advisors on course substitution petitions. One elective course must be taught in Spanish.

Three EDUC Courses

Three 5-credit EDUC courses from 102-187.

Two LALS Courses

Two 5-credit LALS electives numbered 101-190.

Spanish language LALS courses

At least one elective must be taught in Spanish. The following LALS courses are taught primarily in Spanish. Pre-approved outside electives and study abroad courses taught in Spanish may be approved to satisfy the Spanish-language elective requirement. Contact the LALS advisor for more information.

Comprehensive Requirement

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 combined LALS and EDJ B.A. is met by completing:

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.

Sample Four-Year Planner for Frosh

*Complete lower-division requirements when possible during the first year (LALS 1, 5, or 10 satisfies LALS lower-division requirement).

Sample Two-Year Planner for Transfer Students

To graduate in two years, students must enter at the level of SPAN 2 or above to complete the required elective taught in Spanish by the sixth quarter of enrollment. Plan assumes entry at SPAN 4 or SPHS (Spanish for Heritage Speakers) 4. Spanish instruction is not a requirement of the major if the student is already proficient in Spanish.

*If not already completed with transfer credit.

**If lower-division requirements and Spanish language proficiency are complete prior to transfer, contact the LALS undergraduate advisor to discuss enrollment options and create an academic plan.