B.A./B.S. Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies
The aim of the major is providing students with a solid knowledge to understand the social and cultural processes that occur in Latin America, Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal, from a multidisciplinary perspective. Our undergraduate program offers a wide range of courses in fields such as anthropology, business, economics, geography, history, journalism, political science, sociology, Spanish, Portuguese, among others.
The program offers the following advantages:
- A broad exposure to Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian studies by requiring students to take area and language specific content courses.
- Flexibility, which allows students to take courses of interest, study abroad, and develop innovative academic projects.
- Access and opportunity to earn Honors in the LACIS major.
- Working knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese PLUS the unique opportunity to study Ecuadorean Quichua and Yucatec Maya.
- Career-related advice and opportunities including volunteer work and internships with international organizations working in the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian areas.
Requirements:
Upon declaration of the LACIS major, an assessment file is opened for each student which will include:
- Writing samples
- Results of an oral proficiency exam (not required for Spanish or Portuguese majors). Students are asked to contact the S&P Department directly to schedule this proficiency exam prior to graduation. Interview can be accessed HERE.
- An electronic exit survey (sent to all declared majors in their final semester.
Introductory requirement (1 Course):
- History 260: Latin America: An Introduction (Typically offered each spring in person and each summer virtually)
- History 242: Latin America: 1898-Present
- LACIS/Pol Sci 268: Us & Latin America from the Colonial Era to the Present: A Critical Survey
Depth/Interdisciplinary Requirement (2 Courses):
- (1 Course): Humanities/Education/Politics
- (1 Course): Agriculture/Environment/Economy/Health
Depth/Interdisciplinary Requirement (3 Courses):
- Three courses with a common theme (selected from a list of options OR courses of your choosing with approval from your LACIS advisor).
Language & Culture Requirement (3 Courses):
- Three courses above the 220 level in Spanish and/or Portuguese. Students may also take courses in Yucatec Maya, and Ecuadorian Quechua which count towards this requirement at the elementary level and beyond.
LACIS Seminar (1 Course):
- LACIS 440 (3 Credits)
- SPANISH 445 OR 470
Other Notes
Students are encouraged to declare this major by the end of their sophomore year if possible. Those considering a major in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian studies are encouraged to consult the undergraduate advisor during their freshman or early sophomore year, since a number of L&S requirements in humanities and social sciences may be met by some courses in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian studies. Students who enter the university without previous training in Spanish or Portuguese are urged to begin language study freshman year. All students are required to fulfill the L&S requirement of at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major completed in residence. Courses designated as “advanced” (300-699, with the exception of Portuguese 301-302) count toward this requirement.
Students should contact Sarah Ripp, LACIS’ undergraduate advisor, at skripp@wisc.edu, to determine which courses may satisfy major requirements.
Career Opportunities
So, you’re getting a degree! Presumably, you now have an above average familiarity with Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Iberian Peninsula, you can speak Spanish or Portuguese with some proficiency, and you hope to utilize the degree in a professional setting. The following is a broad list of options for employment, geared towards (but not exclusively for) those with a new B.A., and some helpful resources to pursue one or all of them. There are ample choices for even the most discriminating of newly endowed specialists, but finding that ideal situation will require a modicum of effort on your part: research and writing do not end with the oral exam!
What follows should be helpful to most graduates and pre-graduates of the program, though it is by no means exhaustive, and does not eliminate the need for some active research on your part. There is a tremendous wealth of information right here on campus, and somewhere within could be the ticket to your golden opportunity! The above-mentioned links are certainly not the only options available. You could become an independent consultant to a number of corporations, work for a Washington “think tank,” get involved in journalism, do translation for a publishing house, continue your education and study immigration law, work for an NGO, teach secondary school or community college courses, sell real estate with your Dad, or wait tables at your favorite restaurant. The options available to someone with a well-rounded interdisciplinary degree and a proficiency in a foreign language are as diverse as the people who seek them out, and your own creativity and long-term goals are the most critical factors in finding the right position for you. Remember as you embark on the search that patience is critical. Finding the right position may well require taking a job you don’t want to a place where you do want to be working. Be flexible, be patient, take the time to write reams of letters, and be confident that you are the right candidate for whatever you want!
Use the resources available at UW – you can find everything you seek or at least find out how to find it, right here on campus. Polish your resume, and make the effort to tailor it to each job you apply for. And remember every stodgy old uncle, every annoying friend of your father’s, every old professor, every contact you’ve ever made, and don’t be shy about re-establishing old connections – in many cases a passing comment can lead to the perfect situation! You will probably find the information contained in this document (PDF) very helpful as you begin your job search; it lists tips provided by hiring managers from various industries regarding how to best market oneself, etc.
Questions? Take a look at our FAQ page.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Languages
Academic Advising
Wondering how you can incorporate an interest in Latin America, Caribbean, or Iberian peninsula into your academic trajectory or professional career path? Schedule an appointment with an LACIS advisor today!
LACIS Courses
As an interdisciplinary field, many courses offered at the University fall under LACIS. Explore them here!
Study Abroad and International Internships
Explore more than 260 programs through the UW-Madison study abroad program search, including numerous opportunities in the LACIS region.
