Undergraduate Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Website: https://coss.fsu.edu/lacs
Director: Lee Metcalf (Social Sciences); Director of Internships and Professional Development: Na'ama Nagar (Political Science)
The Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) is designed to inspire and develop knowledge and experience of the region. Interdisciplinary by design, cooperating departments support innovative blends of teaching and research with the goal of providing undergraduates a solid grasp of Latin America's present and past, and emphasizing major aspects of the region's unique structures. Additionally, majors and minors are encouraged to participate in the related programs in Costa Rica and Panama. As the intellectual home for an interdisciplinary community of scholars, students, and visitors, LACS supports a range of research and teaching amid a broader array of sponsored lectures, cultural events, and internships.
The baccalaureate program may be viewed as preparation for graduate school in various fields or as leading to professions in government and international service, multinational commerce, law, teaching, and translation.
Computer Skills Competency
All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. As necessary computer competency skills vary from discipline to discipline, each major determines the courses needed to satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate majors in Latin American and Caribbean studies satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C–" or higher in any course at FSU which meets the liberal studies computer competency designation, though it is strongly recommended that students take either CGS 2060 or CGS 2100 in order to satisfy this requirement.
Requirements for a Major in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Students majoring in the program are to construct their study program around four components: (1) two required courses, (2) a language requirement, (3) an area-specific coursework requirement, and (4) a concepts and theories coursework requirement. Required courses for all students in the major are LAS 2004 Professional Development for Latin American Caribbean Studies Major (one credit hour) and LAS 4910 Latin American Caribbean Studies Capstone Course (three credit hours). The total hour requirements for the major are 37 semester hours beyond the 36 hours of General Education requirements with a grade of "C–" or better in all major coursework. As this is an interdisciplinary program, no minor is required.
In addition to a 2.0 overall major GPA, all students must meet "mapping" requirements. See https://www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/ for more information.
Language Requirement
All students are also required to complete relevant area language coursework to the intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency to the intermediate college level in Spanish, Portuguese, French, or some other relevant area language (at 2200 level or equivalent course). Students are encouraged to bring their chosen language up to an effective level of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking by either taking additional coursework on the campus of Florida State University or by participating in a semester- or summer-abroad program in their relevant cultural area as such programs become available. These programs should be administered by, affiliated with, or approved by Florida State University. To encourage the achievement of language proficiency, language coursework hours taken beyond the intermediate college level may be counted toward the required 37 semester hours for the major.
Area Specific Course Requirement
Students are to select at least twenty-four semester hours of area specific coursework from the approved list of area-specific courses below. Note that special topic area-specific courses may be approved from time to time; for the most current list, students are encouraged to view the term-specific course lists posted on the International Studies Canvas site and available on the College's Office of Academic Affairs website, from a College academic advisor, and the program office in 211 Bellamy.
Concept and Theory Course Requirement
Students are to select at least 9 semester hours of coursework from among the concept and theory courses listed below. Students should carefully select these courses in consultation with their academic advisor to ensure that prior coursework meets any required prerequisites for the approved courses. Up to six hours of LAS 4945 Latin American and Caribbean Studies Internship may count towards the Concept and Theory Course requirements.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies Major with an emphasis in Business
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies with an emphasis in Business program combines the regular Latin American and Caribbean studies major with a planned series of business courses. This program has four components: (1) two required courses, (2) a language requirement, (3) an area-specific coursework requirement, and (4) a multinational business course sequence. Required courses for all students are LAS 2004 Professional Development for Latin American Caribbean Studies Major (one credit hour) and LAS 4910 Latin American Caribbean Studies Capstone Course (three credit hours). Relevant area language coursework through the intermediate (2200) level or demonstrated proficiency to the intermediate college level in Spanish, Portuguese, French, or some other relevant area language in required in addition to eighteen semester hours in Latin American and Caribbean Studies area specific coursework and fifteen semester hours in multinational business courses. The Latin American and Caribbean Studies coursework is to be selected from the approved area specific courses. There is no concepts and theories course requirement for this program. Students must select between two 15 semester hour business coursework options listed below in either the international marketing track or the international finance track. The prerequisites for both tracks include ECO 2013 and 2023, which may be taken as part of the student's 36 hours of General Education requirements. In addition, students opting for the international finance track must complete ACG 2021 as a prerequisite. Students should seek advising from the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program specialist in 211 Bellamy or the College's academic advising office about registering for business courses.
International Marketing/Management Track
MAN 3240 Organizational Behavior
MAN 3600 Multinational Business Operations (Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023)
MAR 3023 Basic Marketing Concepts (Prerequisite: ECO 2023)
And six hours selected from:
MAN 4401 Management of Labor and Industrial Relations (Corequisite: MAN 3240)
MAN 4605 Cross-Cultural Management (Prerequisite: MAN 3240)
MAN 4680 Selected Topics in International Management (Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023, MAN 3600)
MAN 4701 Business and Society (Prerequisite: MAN 3240 or MAN 3025)
MAR 4156 Multinational Marketing (Prerequisite: MAR 3023, MAN 3600)
- Or another related course approved by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program director
International Finance Track
FIN 3244 Financial Markets, Institutions, and International Finance Systems (Prerequisites: ACG 2021, ECO 2013)
FIN 3403 Financial Management of the Firm (Prerequisites: ACG 2021, ECO 2023)
MAN 3600 Multinational Business Operations (Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023)
And six hours selected from:
FIN 4424 Problems in Financial Management (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
FIN 4504 Investments (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
FIN 4514 Security Analysis and Portfolio Management (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 4504)
FIN 4604 Multinational Financial Management (Prerequisites: CGS 2518, FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
GEB 4455 Perspectives on Free Enterprise (Prerequisites: FIN 3244, FIN 3403)
- Or another related course approved by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program director
Study Abroad
While it is not required, students majoring in Latin American and Caribbean studies are strongly encouraged to study abroad. The programs in Panama and Costa Rica offer relevant coursework. See https://international.fsu.edu/ for more information on the various options available through Florida State International Programs
Students should consult with the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Director about any other study abroad programs they wish to pursue. Coursework taken in overseas locations must be approved in advance for credit toward the major.
Internship
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies program encourages students to take advantage of internships with an area focus. Students approved for academic credit in a Latin American and Caribbean Studies internship will be enrolled in and must satisfactorily complete LAS 4945 Latin American and Caribbean Studies Internship. Information on possible placements can be found on the International Studies Canvas site. All internships must be approved the semester before the internship takes place. See the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program specialist in 211 Bellamy for further information.
Honors in the Major
The Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers honors in the major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original work as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Office and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Second Majors
Majors in Latin American and Caribbean Studies may pursue a second major. When students pursue a second major, they may count six semester hours of overlapping coursework toward both majors.
Minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Students pursuing a minor in the program must complete eighteen semester hours of Latin American and Caribbean Studies coursework beyond the 36 hours of General Education requirement. In this case none of the broader comparative concepts and theories courses will count toward the eighteen-semester hour minimum. Students may select freely from all area-specific courses. Modern languages courses numbered above 2999 may count toward the minor. Nine of the eighteen semester hours must be numbered above 2999. A maximum combined total of six semester hours in Latin American and Caribbean Studies internship or directed individual study may apply to the minor.
Approved Courses
Note: Descriptions of specific courses can be found under the individual departments in which they are taught. In addition to the courses listed below, special topics courses may be approved by the program director in any particular term. These courses appear on the term course lists and are available at the International Studies Canvas Organization site, on the College's Office of Academic Affairs website at coss.fsu.edu/academics, and the program office in 211 Bellamy.
Area Specific Courses (twenty-four credit hours)
Note: Approved area specific coursework is organized here by department for ease of reference, but students may take any combination of courses from approved the approved list to meet the area specific requirement.
Art History
ARH 3612 Visual Cultures of the Americas (3)
ARH 4372 Spanish Colonial Art: The Hapsburg Period, 1492/1506–1700 (3)
ARH 4413 Spanish Colonial Art: The Bourbon Period, 1700–1821/1898 (3)
ARH 4653 Great Traditions in Mesoamerican Art and Culture (3)
ARH 4675 The Art and Culture of the Maya (3)
ARH 4882 Visual Cultures of the African Diaspora (3)
Communication
ADV 3410 Hispanic Marketing Communication (3)
Economics
ECS 3022 Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (3)
ECS 3600 Economics of Native Americans (3)
ECS 4013 Economics of Development (3)
ECS 4431 Economics of the Caribbean (3)
English
AML 3630 Latino/a Literature in English (3)
AML 3682 American Multi-Ethnic Literature (3)
IDS 2335 Central American Cinema (3)
LIT 3822 Latinx Drama (3)
Geography
GEA 4405 Latin America (3)
History
Note: All courses with the LAH prefix are on the list of courses approved for the Latin American and Caribbean Studies majors. In addition, the following courses are approved:
EUH 3530 England, the Empire and the Commonwealth (3)
HIS 3263 Pirates and Patriots in the Atlantic World (3)
IDS 2418 Empire and Revolution in Cold War Latin America (3)
IDS 3415 Guns, Drugs, and Slaves: The History of Trafficking in the Modern World (3)
Hospitality
HFT 4205 Conversational Spanish for Hospitality Managers (3)
Modern Languages and Linguistics
Note: All courses with the following prefixes taught through the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics are on the list of courses approved for the Latin American Studies majors: French: FRE, FRT, FRW: Portuguese: POR, PRT; Spanish: SPN, SPT, SPW. Those credit hours earned by taking courses through the intermediate (2200) level to fulfill the modern language requirement (which must be met by all Latin American Studies majors) cannot be counted toward the 40 hours of Latin American Studies major coursework. Students may, however, earn credit toward the major for additional courses in modern languages. All language and literature courses are taught primarily in the foreign language with the exception of courses in literature in translation (prefix ending in "T") and in film. Other courses may not necessarily require prerequisite language course background, though the student should verify any fluency prerequisites prior to enrolling in a language course.
Music
MUH 4541 Music of Latin America I (3)
MUH 4543 Music in the Caribbean (3)
MUN 2800r World Music Ensemble (0–1) (Caribbean Salsa Ensemble, Caribbean Steel Band Ensemble, Andean Music Ensemble)
Political Science
CPO 3303 Politics of Latin America (3)
INR 4244 Studies in International Politics: Latin America (3)
Religion
REL 3128r Topics in Religion in the Americas (3)
Sociology
SYD 2740 Sociology of Law and Hispanics (3)
SYD 4700 Race and Minority Group Relations (3)
Urban and Regional Planning
URP 4402 Sustainable Development Planning in the Americas (3)
Concept and Theory Courses (Nine Credit Hours)
Recommended Social Science Prerequisites - Concepts and Theories
CPO 2002 Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics (3)
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations (3)
Note: Prerequisites listed above are recommended prior to enrolling in upper-level coursework in the respective subject areas. The listed prerequisite coursework does itself count towards the Concepts and Theories requirement.
Other Concepts and Theories
ANT 2410 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANT 2416 Childhood Around the World (3)
ANT 3212 Peoples of the World (3)
ANT 3610 Language and Culture (3)
ANT 4241 Anthropology of Religion (3)
ARH 2000 Art, Architecture, and Artistic Vision (3)
ARH 2050 History and Criticism of Art I (3)
ARH 2051 History and Criticism of Art II (3)
CPO 3034 Politics of Developing Areas (3)
CPO 3055 Authoritarian Regimes (3)
CPO 3703 Comparative Democratic Institutions (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 3743 States and Markets (3) [with CPO 2002 as a prerequisite]
CPO 4057 Political Violence (3)
CPO 4504 Institutional Approaches to Democracies and Dictatorships (3)
ECO 3303 History of Economic Ideas (3)
ECO 4270 Economic Growth (3)
ECO 4704 International Trade (3) [with ECO 2013, ECO 2023, and ECO 3101 as prerequisites]
ECO 4713 International Finance (3) [with ECO 2013 and ECO 2023 as prerequisites]
ECP 3113 Economics of Population (3)
GEA 1000 World Geography (3)
GEO 1400 Human Geography (3)
GEO 3502 Economic Geography (3)
GEO 4251 Geography of Climate Change and Storms (3)
GEO 4300 Biogeography (3)
GEO 4357 Environmental Conflict and Economic Development (3)
GEO 4404 Black Geographies (3)
GEO 4412 Environment and Gender (3)
GEO 4421 Cultural Geography (3)
GEO 4450 Medical Geography (3)
GEO 4471 Political Geography (3)
GEO 4503 Globalization (3)
GEO 4505 Fossil Fuels and Environmental Conflicts (3)
HUM 3321 Multicultural Dimensions of Film and 20th-Century Culture (3)
IDH 3117 Social (In)Equalities: Social Construction of Difference and Inequalities (3)
IDS 2170 Music in the World (3)
IDS 2375 Third World Cinema (3)
IDS 2393 Hunger Games Trilogy: Collective Action and Social Movements (3)
IDS 2431 Thinking Beyond Ourselves: Global Perspectives (3)
IDS 2461 Music and International Human Rights (3)
INR 3004 Geography, History, and International Relations (3)
INR 3084 Terror and Politics (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 3502 International Organizations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 3603 Theories of International Relations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4011 Political Responses to Economic Globalization (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4075 International Human Rights (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4078 Confronting Human Rights Violations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4083 International Conflict (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4102 American Foreign Policy (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4124 Statecraft (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4334 American Defense Policy (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
INR 4702 Political Economy of International Relations (3) [with INR 2002 as prerequisite]
MUH 2051 Music in World Cultures (3)
PAD 3003 Public Administration in American Society (3)
PAD 3017 Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3)
PAD 4084 International Terrorism Policy (3)
PAD 4301 Disaster Management Planning for Urban Poor Communities (3)
PAD 4374 Introduction to Terrorism: Preparedness and Response (3)
PAD 4375 Advanced Topics in Terrorism (3) [with PAD 4374 as a prerequisite]
PAD 4382 Disaster Recovery and Mitigation (3)
PAD 4433 Women, Disasters, and Conflict (3)
PAD 4831 International Conflicts and Terrorism (3)
PAD 4833 International and Comparative Disaster Management (3)
PAD 4842 U.S. Intelligence Policy (3)
PHI 2010 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
PHI 2630 Ethical Issues and Life Choices (3)
PHI 3670 Ethical Theory (3)
PHI 3700 Philosophy of Religion (3)
PHI 3800 Philosophy of the Arts (3)
PHI 3882 Philosophy in Literature (3)
PHM 2300 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)
PHM 3331r Modern Political Thought (3)
PHM 3351 Philosophy of Human Rights (3)
PHM 3400 Philosophy of Law (3)
PHM 4340r Contemporary Political Thought (3)
REL 1300 Introduction to World Religions (3)
REL 3142 Religion, the Self and Society (3)
REL 3145 Gender and Religion (3)
REL 3152 Religion, Race and Ethnicity (3)
REL 3170 Religious Ethics and Moral Problems (3)
REL 3505 The Christian Tradition (3)
SYA 4010 Sociological Theory (3)
SYD 3020 Population and Society (3)
SYG 1000 Introductory Sociology (3)
SYG 2010 Social Problems (3)
SYO 3530 Social Classes and Inequality (3)
SYP 3000 Social Psychology of Groups (3)
SYP 3350 Collective Action and Social Movements (3)
SYP 3454 The Global Justice Movement (3)
SYP 3540 Sociology of Law (3)
URP 3000 Introduction to Planning and Urban Development (3)
URP 3527 Green Global Health (3)
URP 4022 Collective Decision Making (3)
URP 4408 Food Systems Planning (3)
URP 4612 Strategies for Urban and Regional Planning in Less Developed Countries (3)
URP 4618 Planning for Developing Regions (3)
URP 4811 Multicultural Urbanism (3)
URS 1006 World Cities: Quality of Life (3)
WOH 3440 History of Refugees, 0-2000 (3)
Note: See course descriptions for required prerequisites.
Definition of Prefix
LAS—Latin American Studies
Undergraduate Courses
LAS 2004. Professional Development for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Majors (1). (S/U grade only.) This course introduces the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) major and the ways in which student scan enhance their experience at Florida State University. This course allows students to reflect upon their goals and to explore opportunities available to them in order to tailor their academic experience and to help them attain their professional objectives.
LAS 4905r. Directed Individual Study (3). May be repeated to a maximum of six semester hours when content varies. Can be repeated within the same semester.
LAS 4910. Latin American Caribbean Studies Capstone Course (3). This course is designed for students to reflect on the value of an interdisciplinary major, to explain succinctly intended course of study, and to produce a piece of original interdisciplinary scholarship. Students are introduced to basic methods and techniques of research writing in a workshop setting with faculty support. Both written and oral communication of student research is emphasized.
LAS 4935r. Honors Work (3). This course allows students to participate in supervised research and produce a paper describing the results of that work. Open to participants in the University and department honors program. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.
LAS 4945. Latin American and Caribbean Studies Internship (3-6). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisites: 15 classroom hours beyond Liberal Studies, cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher, and instructor consent. This course is designed for students to gain real world experience through on-the-job practice. Interns can expect to gain valuable work experience, develop professional skills, cultivate valuable contacts, and investigate career options. The course allows students to receive academic credit for internship placement in approved agencies and organizations.