Latin American Studies Certificate

The Undergraduate Certificate in Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who want to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree as well as a credential that indicates a concentration in this area of the world. The Certificate program is flexible enough so that students can take courses in a wide range of fields—at least three different disciplines—and so that they can apply certain credits to their General Education requirements. The program requires fulfillment of a number of foreign language credits (Spanish or Portuguese), while it strongly encourages study abroad.

The Latin American Certificate is designed to provide students with expertise in the Latin American region, with a focus on its dynamic societies, cultures, politics, economies and histories. Students majoring in a variety of disciplines, ranging from business, history, economics, education and medical fields, and who plan careers that involve work in or related to Latin America, or the Latino population in the United States, would benefit from the in-depth training and language skills offered by the Certificate. Likewise, this program provides a broad but focused background for those interested in pursuing advanced studies in academic or applied fields related to Latin America or the Latino experience, and for those contemplating work in the governmental or non-governmental sectors.

Requirements

-A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required

-Language: Students must demonstrate competency in Spanish or Portuguese by completing a minimum of 3 credits in Spanish or Portuguese at the fourth semester (202) or above at the University of Akron , or the equivalent at any other accredited institution.

Interdisciplinary electives:

Choose 15 credits, from at least three departments: (preliminary list)

3350: 353 Geography of Latin America (3 credits)
3400: 291 World Civ: Latin America (2 credits)
3400: 377 History of Women in Latin America (3 credits)
3400: 378 Spanish Conquest and Colonization of the Americas (3 credits)
3400: 379 Modern Latin America (3 credits)
3400: 417 Latin America and the United States (3 credits)
3400: 418 History of Brazil since 1500 (3 credits)
3400: 409 Imperial Spain: 1469-1700 (3 credits)
3850: 311 Spanish/Spanish American Cultural Experience (1-6 credits)
3850: 350 The Literature of Spanish America in Translation (3 credits)
3850: 408 Survey of Hispanic Literature: Spanish America (4 credits)
3850: 432 Hispanic Culture: Spanish America (4 credits)
3850: 414 Cultural Politics in the River Plate (4 credits)
3850: 427 Latino Cultures in the USA (4 credits)
3850: 425 20th Century Spanish American Novel (4 credits)
3850: 430 Women in 20th century Hispanic Literature (4 credits)

Electives can also be chosen from the following list of courses with comparative content, subject to the director’s approval:

3230: 472 Selected Topics in Archeology/ Anthropology (3 credits)
3250: 460 Economics of Developing Countries (3 credits)
3400: 373 Selected Topics in History: Other ( Latin America ) (3 credits)
3400: 496 Special Studies in History: Other ( Latin America ) (3 credits)
3700: 311 Developing States in World Politics (3 credits)
3700: 312 Politics of International Trade (3 credits)
3700: 376 Politics of Developing Nations (3 credits)
6800: 421 International Business Practices (3 credits)
6800: 305 International Business (3 credits)
6800: 405 Multi-national Corporations (3 credits)

-Other comparative courses that are not printed in the list above might be offered that may fulfill some of the electives requirement. Therefore students must consult the program director to plan a course of study.

Other Activities:

The program offers additional credits for participation in Study Abroad programs in Latin America and Spain.

Latin American Studies Faculty:

Dr. Martha S. Santos, Director, Department of History
Dr. Parizad Dejbord, Department of Modern Languages
Dr. Maria-Alejandra Zanetta, Department of Modern Languages
Dr. Rose Brougham, Department of Modern Languages
Dr. Robert Barrett , Department of Geography and Planning
Dr. Michael Shott, Chair, Department of Classical Studies and Anthropology
Ms. Carmella Farruggia, World Civilizations: Latin America, Department of History

Why Study Latin America at UA?

• Relations between the United States and Latin America have changed significantly by the escalating processes of globalization and regional economic diversification that characterize our age.
• Latin American countries play an increasingly larger role in economic exchanges with the United States
• Brazil is playing a leading role in negotiating and altering the terms of trade between developing and industrialized countries, and these negotiations directly impinge in commercial relations between Latin America and the United States.
• Hispanic Americans or Latinos who trace their ancestry to Latin America are the fastest growing minority population in the United States . Their language, traditions, and labor increasingly affect economics, politics and culture in the United States.
• UA is dedicated to fostering global dialogue and interdisciplinary studies.