Undergraduate Degree

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:

1. A broad exposure to Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian studies by requiring students to take area and language specific content courses.
2. Flexibility, which allows students to take courses of interest, study abroad, and develop innovative academic projects.
3. Access and opportunity to earn Honors in the LACIS major.
4. Basic working knowledge in Spanish and/or Portuguese and the opportunity to study Quichua and Maya Yucatec.
5. Career-related advice and opportunities including volunteer work and internships with international organizations working in the Latin American and Caribbean area.

Requirements:

A minimum of 40 credits is required for the LACIS major. Upon declaration of the LACIS major, an assessment file is opened for each student which will include:

1. Writing samples
2. Results of an oral proficiency interview (not required for Spanish or Portuguese majors)
3. An electronic exit survey

Introductory requirement: Choose one of the following four options:

• History 260: Latin America: An Introduction
• History 242: Latin America: 1898-Present
• LACIS/Pol Sci 268: Us & Latin America from the Colonial Era to the Present: A Critical Survey

Language: Students must either complete or test out of the fourth semester of Spanish or Portuguese as well as complete four courses in Spanish and/or Portuguese language, literature, and civilization above the second-year level. In addition to the four courses required for the program, non-Spanish/LACIS Double Majors are required to take a Spanish proficiency exam prior to graduation.  Please consult the information about this exam in the Spanish and Portuguese Department.

Area of Concentration: Students must take at least five courses with 25% Latin American, Caribbean, and/or Iberian content in an area of concentration which the student self-selects. The concentration may be disciplinary (history, anthropology etc.) or topical (poverty, gender, social justice etc). The courses in the area of concentration CAN NOT be Spanish or Portuguese language or literature courses. Study abroad courses often satisfy major requirements, but you should consult with your advisor before and during your study abroad program to be sure that the credits transfer (please note that questions regarding course equivalencies for approved study abroad programs should be directed to the Study Abroad Office. Courses for the concentration can be chosen from the LACIS Course Master List, but note that this list does not reflect current offerings. LACIS also publishes a list of courses that are being offered in the upcoming semester which count towards the major. Students are required to submit a proposed area of concentration statement to the LACIS Advisor shortly after declaring the LACIS Major. Please complete this form and email it to Sarah Ripp or turn it into 209 Ingraham Hall. Ideally, students should submit a one paragraph description of their intended area of concentration to the LACIS Advisor prior to their junior year for approval. Sample Areas of Concentration.

Breadth Requirement: Students must complete three courses outside the area of concentration which can be either:

• Additional courses in Spanish and/or Portuguese language, literature, and civilization over the 220 level; and/or
• Courses in Quichua and Yucatec Maya; and/or
• Additional Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian courses

Study Abroad/International Internship (Optional)

Students are encouraged, but not required, to study abroad. Living and studying in a foreign country provides a great introduction to the culture and valuable language practice. In addition, participating in a study abroad program often proves to be a valuable personal experience. For information about the multitude of UW study abroad programs in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, visit the Study Abroad Program website.

You may also wish to consider undertake an international internship.  Please reach out to Carly Stingl, a LACIS alumna! and advisor for the International Internships Program, who cultivates and recruits for internships in the LACIS region.

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.

Questions? Take a look at our FAQ page.