Major and Concentration

The major in Latin American and Caribbean Studies stresses knowledge of a dynamic, historically deep and extensive region, but it also focuses on social, political, and cultural phenomena that transcend physical boundaries. The major thus reflects multidisciplinary dialogues that are transnational yet remain anchored in the common historical experience of Latin American societies. Thanks to the broad range of courses on Latin America offered in different departments of instruction and centers at Columbia, the major provides a multidisciplinary training on politics, history, culture, economy and society.

 

Requirements for the Major and Concentration

For the major, a minimum of 31 points (a minimum of 10 courses) is needed to fulfill the requirements for a major in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Up to 12 credits for in your discipline of choice can be earned through study abroad.

Declare a Major or Concentration

Download the form: Major
Download the form: Concentration

As of Fall 2024, the concentration will no longer be offered.  Continuing students prior to Fall 2024 may choose to continue in the concentration or change to a minor. 

For a concentration, a minimum of 18 credits (a minimum of 6 courses) is needed to fulfill the requirements. Up to 6 credits for the discipline of choice can be earned through study abroad.

Students are strongly encouraged to explore study abroad options before their junior year. Upon return, students should submit syllabi and all coursework related to each course taken abroad for approval by the director of undergraduate studies.

Students are responsible for tracking their progress toward completing the required coursework. 

For the major, students must take five courses from the following fourteen core courses; three of the fourteen are required for a concentration.  One of these courses must be Primary Texts of Latin American Civilization (LACV CC1020); Latin American Civilization I (HIST UN2660) or Latin American Civilization II (HIST UN2661):

  1. ASF GU4100: Slavery and Freedom in Latin America
  2. CLEN GU4644: Revolution in/on the Caribbean
  3. LACV CC1020: Primary Texts of Latin American Civilization
  4. HIST UN1786: History of the City in Latin America
  5. HIST UN2618: The Modern Caribbean
  6. HIST UN2660: Latin American Civilization I
  7. HIST UN2661: Latin American Civilization II
  8. HIST BC2664: Reproducing Inequalities: Families in Latin America
  9. HIST BC2681: Women and Gender in Latin America
  10. HIST GU4301: Politics and Justice in Latin America through Crime Fiction
  11. POLS UN3560: Political Urban Development in Latin America
  12. POLS V3565: Drugs and Politics in the Americas
  13. POLS GU4461: Latin American Politics
  14. SPAN UN3300: Advanced Language through Content (with Latin American focus)

As of Fall 2024, HIST BC2676: Latin America: Migration, Race, and Ethnicity will no longer be part of the core course.  However, students will still get credit if taken before the change or as discipline of choice.  

Students must complete one course on Spanish, Portuguese, or an Indigenous language at the intermediate or advanced level. If students can demonstrate advance knowledge of one of these languages, they can replace this course with a course on other languages at any level.

For the major, students must take four courses in a discipline of choice or specialization (for example, History or Political Science) with substantive focus on Latin America. Of these four courses, one must be a seminar within the choice or specialization, at least two courses must be within the choice or specialization, and one course may be outside of their choice or specialization.

For the concentration, students must take two courses in a discipline of choice or specialization with substantive focus on Latin America. Of these two courses, one must be a seminar within the choice or specialization, and the other must be within the choice or specialization.

The director of undergraduate studies advises students on areas of specialization and must approve courses with substantial Latin American or Caribbean contents not included in the list of eligible courses. Current students should become familiar with the requirements and policies of Columbia College.