2023-2024

Latin American Studies (Minor)


Anne E. Henderson, Ph.D., Coordinator

The Latin American Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary program for traditional undergraduate students offering the opportunity to focus on the rich diversity of the Latin American region. The combination of courses in the history, culture, politics, and economics of the region, combined with proficiency in Spanish, enhances student awareness and understanding of this complex area and its people.

The Program is designed for students who wish to specialize in Latin America and those for whom a deeper knowledge of the region would complement careers in business, education, foreign affairs, government, journalism, law, medicine, religion or humanitarian work.

The Minor consists of six courses (18 credits) and must include two courses in Spanish above the General Education Requirement (one skills course, and one literature or culture course). The remaining four courses may be selected from business, economics, history or political science, according to individual interests. No more than two courses applied to the student's Major may be applied to the Latin American Studies Minor.

Study abroad is strongly recommended. No more than two courses toward the Minor may be taken through any one study abroad program. One study tour to Latin America may count toward the Minor. One course or study tour from any area school participating in the consortium may count toward the Minor, subject to approval by the Notre Dame Minor advisor.

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Program of Study

One skills course in Spanish, chosen from
LSP-233 Spanish for Oral Proficiency
LSP-234 Spanish for Written Proficiency
LSP-301/302 Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition I, II

One literature or culture course in Spanish, chosen from
LSP-258 Readings in Hispanic Literature
LSP-310 Survey of Masterpieces in Latin American Literature I
LSP-311 Survey of Masterpieces in Latin American Literature II
LSP-359 Latin American Culture and Civilization
LSP-401 Topics in Spanish
LSP-463 Independent Study

Four courses from the following list
BUS-350 International Business
ECO-404 International Economics
ECO-411 Topics in Economics (if related to Latin America)
HIS-252 Latin American History and Politics
HIS/POL-325 Revolution and Terrorism
POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations
POL-370 Honors: Model OAS
POL-440 Global Issues
POL/HIS/LSP-427 Study Tour to Latin America

Independent Study courses in Latin American culture, history, political science, economics or business.

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Courses

BUS-350 International Business

Critically analyzes factors affecting business operations in the global marketplace. Introduces theories and practical strategies for evaluating constraints and opportunities resulting from economic, cultural, legal, and ethical differences to political and financial realities at home and abroad. Provides hands-on opportunities for analyzing international business opportunities, developing international competitive strategies, and for comparing and contrasting different entry modes. Prerequisites: ECO-211 or ECO-212. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]

ECO-404 International Economics

Examines international trade theory, international trade policy and international finance from multi-country and multicultural perspectives. Applies economic models to explain the benefits from trade and its effect on the distribution of income among different groups within a country. Studies the impact of protectionist policies on the standard of living of both importing and exporting countries. Describes the balance of payments and develops models of exchange rates. Investigates international capital and finance issues in light of the current economy. Fulfills eneral education requirement in cross cultural studies. Prerequisite: ECO-211 or ECO-212. [3 credits]

ECO-411 Topics in Economics

Provides opportunities to pursue special topics of current interest in the field of economics. [3 credits]

HIS-252 Latin American History and Politics

Analyzes the history and politics of Latin America, studying how socieities evolved from the colonial period through independence and the formation of nations, military and personal dictatorships, and the current era of imperfect democratization. The course compares how the countries of Latin America have contended with issues of power and inequality, including income disparities, racial and ethnic discrimination, forced megration, environmental injustice, patriarchal gender norms, cultural divisions, and the fole of religion. It also evaluates the complex history of Latin American countries' unequal relationship with the United States. Fulfills general education requirements in history and impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]

HIS-325 Revolution and Terrorism

Traces the causes, patterns and outcomes of 20th century Revolutions, and analyzes the similarities and differences between revolutionary movements and guerrilla and terrorist groups. The course looks at the ideological, ethnic and religious terrorist groups with a special emphasis on religious terrorism and its worldwide impact. Fulfills general education requirements in history and cross-cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]

HIS-427 Study Tour

Combines study with travel to various parts of the world. Organized by faculty members of the department. Offered periodically in summer and Winterim. [ 3 credits ]

LSP-233 Spanish for Oral Proficiency

Offers intensive oral-aural practice, with emphasis on the language used in daily life. Serves those who wish to perfect pronunciation and increase fluency in Spanish through extensive use of multimedia materials and interaction with native speakers. Independent lab work required. Fulfills the general education language requirement. Prerequisite: LSP-103 or placement. [3 credits]

LSP-234 Spanish for Written Proficiency

Aims to increase proficiency in the written use of the language. Provides a review of grammar and extensive practice based on cultural themes of the Hispanic world. Uses multimedia materials and reading selections from contemporary Latin American authors and publications. Focuses on various issues such as women's roles and human rights. Fulfills the general education language requirement. Prerequisite: LSP-103 or placement. [3 credits]

LSP-301 Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition I

Gives special attention to the idiomatic use of language and to the finer points of Spanish grammar. Based on writings and media sources dealing with present-day events and cultural issues. Analysis of structure and style. Fulfills the general education language requirement. Required of all majors and minors. Prerequisite: LSP-233 and 234 or equivalent. [3 credits]

LSP-302 Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition II

Gives special attention to the idiomatic use of language and to the finer points of Spanish grammar. Based on writings and media sources dealing with present-day events and cultural issues. Analysis of structure and style. Fulfills the general education language requirement. Prerequisite: LSP-233 and 234 or equivalent. Required of all majors and minors. [3 credits]

LSP-310 Survey of Masterpieces in Latin American Literature I

Introduces students to Latin American literature and thought in their historical and social dimensions through a close study of selected masterpieces from the 1800s to the present. Prerequisite: LSP-258 or permission. Fulfills the General Education literature and cross-cultural studies requirements. [3 credits]

LSP-311 Survey of Masterpieces in Latin American Literature II

Introduces students to Latin American literature and thought in their historical and social dimensions through a close study of selected masterpieces from the 1800s to the present. Prerequisite: LSP-258 or permission. Fulfills the general education literature and cross-cultural studies requirements. [3 credits]

LSP-359 Latin American Culture and Civilization

Provides an introductory study of the main features of Latin American political and cultural history. Includes artistic and literary movements. This course is given in Spanish and is designed for students who have advanced knowledge of the language. Fulfills the General Education cross-cultural studies requirement. Prerequisite: LSP-233/234 required, LSP-301 recommended. [3 credits]

LSP-427 Short Term Academic Experience in a Spanish-Speaking Country

Visits cities and sites of historical and cultural importance in one Spanish-speaking country. Prior to the tour, students will attend preparatory lectures and complete preliminary readings. Research related to the tour usually will be completed within a month after return. Fulfills the culture and civilization requirement for the Spanish major and minor. [3 credits]

LSP-463 Independent Study

Allows the student to undertake an individual program of study in language, linguistics, literature or civilization under the guidance of a member of the department. [3 credits]

POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations

Introduces students to economic, political and cultural issues of development and underdevelopment in Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]

POL-370 Hrs: Model Organization of American States (OAS)

Prepares students to participate in the Model Organization of American States (Model OAS) competition, which takes place at OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C. in the spring. A team of 10 Notre Dame students, representing an assigned country, debates other colleges and universities from the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean on issues such as democratization, regional integration, poverty, environmental problems and human rights issues. In addition to becoming familiar with hemispheric issues, students learn leadership, cooperation, persuasion and diplomatic skills. Prerequisite: Morrissy scholar and permission. Fulfills general education requirement in social science and cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]

POL-427 Study Tour

Combines study with travel to various parts of the world. Organized by faculty members of the department. Offered periodically in Summer and Winterim. [3 credits]

POL-440 Global Issues

Examines five to six major topics that interconnect or divide the contemporary world. Democracy, the global economy, religion and ethnicity, global migration, population trends, women, the environment, and technology and communication are some of the issues we visit. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. Prerequisite: POL-103. [3 credits]