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Latin American, Latino/a, and Caribbean Studies

Latin American Latino/a & Caribbean Studies offers an interdisciplinary major based on mutually enriching perspectives in the humanities, fine arts, and social and physical sciences. Courses examine and analyze Latin American and Caribbean cultures, economies, social and political systems, literature, art, music, history, and geography across the hemisphere.

What is Latin American, Latino/a and Caribbean Studies?

Latin American, Latino/a and Caribbean Studies (LAS), in the Department of Global and Intercultural Studies, offers a major and minor that explore Latin American and Caribbean cultures, economies, social and political systems, literature, art, music, history, and geography across the hemisphere. Opportunities to study abroad and to engage with Latin American communities in Ohio promote the active application of international knowledge to vital issues in today's changing world.

Our Major and Minor

Our Major Requirements

Courses examine and analyze Latin American and Caribbean cultures, economies, social and political systems, literature, art, music, history, and geography across the hemisphere.

Opportunities to study abroad and to engage with Latin American communities in Ohio promote the active application of international knowledge to issues vital to today's changing world.

Our Minor Requirements

All students must complete at least 18 credit hours. In addition to taking an introductory LAS course, students must take 6 additional credits of LAS courses, or their cross-listed equivalents, as part of their core courses, including at least one LAS course at the 300-level or higher. At least 9 credit hours that count toward the LAS minor must come from outside of the student's major.

Learning Outcomes

At graduation, we expect that our majors can master the following critical thinking skills providing a strong foundation for the other skill sets learned during your time as Latin American, Latino/a, and Caribbean Studies major or minor.

Attain familiarity with Latin American and Latino/a cultures and experiences that lead them to act as informed and engaged global citizens

Develop an ability to discern the validity of popular and scholarly sources and arguments addressing contentious Latin American and Latina/o issues

Present the results of their research persuasively and accurately in digital formats aimed at various audiences

Demonstrate the ability to identify and use analytical skills and knowledge necessary for engaged citizenship in a participatory democracy.

Writing in LAS

Our Student Research and Projects

Honors in LAS

A student earns a LAS Honors designation on her/his graduation transcript by fulfilling the following 4 requirements:

  • Complete all requirements to earn a Major in LAS.
  • During senior year, complete a 4- to 6-semester hour independent research project and paper (e.g., Dean's Scholar, Undergraduate Summer Scholar projects) under the mentorship of a LAS faculty member; earn an A- or above for this research project registered under LAS 480 (departmental honors research course number).
  • Present the research at the Miami University Undergraduate Research Forum, or a comparable outlet for research presentations.
  • Graduate with a 3.5 or higher GPA in the LAS major.