Discover the Latin American studies curriculum
Latin American Studies at USD offers the study of the complex historical formation of Latin America and its cultural and ethnic diversity, from the foundation of Amerindian civilizations, the European conquest and the impact of the African slave trade to the challenges of the 21st century.
18 units
Minor
The Latin American studies minor teaches students to articulate important connections between local and world societies in the context of the Latin American experience. Minors need to satisfy language and study abroad requirements.
The Latin American Studies Minor
The Latin American Studies minor requires 18 units.
Language Requirement: Students must take at least three (3) units of a Latin American language (Spanish, Portuguese, French, or any language indigenous to the region) equivalent to USD courses numbered 101, 102, 201, 202 or 212, or 301 or 311. Other language courses may be used to fulfill the language requirement only with approval of the program director.
Area Studies Requirement: Students must take fifteen (15) units of approved Latin American Studies courses. A minimum of nine (9) units must be taken at the upper division level.
Interdisciplinary Requirement: Students must take courses from at least two academic disciplines.
Study Abroad Requirement: Students must complete three (3) units of study — which count toward the minor’s total 18 units — in a Latin American country with a USD affiliated program. Students unable to participate in a study abroad program may, with approval of the program director, fulfill this requirement by participating in a USD-sponsored service-learning trip to Latin America, or by successfully completing an internship or community-based project focused on a Latin American topic.
Please see the full course descriptions under the appropriate departmental listings. In addition to the curriculum below, there may be additional courses offered — including special topics and courses offered less frequently — in any given semester, which may count toward the minor. Please consult with the program director.
Latin American Studies Courses
Please see the full course descriptions under the appropriate departmental listings. In addition to the curriculum below, there may be additional courses offered — including Honors, special topics, and courses offered less frequently — in any given semester, which may count toward the minor. Please consult with the program director.
ANTH 327 | South American Indian Cultures | 3 |
ANTH 328 | Caribbean Cultures | 3 |
ANTH 334 | South American Archaeology | 3 |
COMM 480 | Advanced Topics in International Media (when taught as Latin America Media Systems) | 3 |
ECON 335 | Economic Development of Latin America | 3 |
ECON 339 | Latin America Business Environment | 3 |
ETHN 240 | Introduction To Chicano/Latino Studies | 3 |
ETHN 343 | Chicano San Diego | 3 |
ETHN 361 | Immigration at US-Mexico Border: Ethnicity, Race & Gender (when taught as Latin America through Film) | 3 |
HIST 361 | Modern Latin America | 3 |
HIST 362 | Topics in Latin America History | 3 |
HIST 363 | History of Brazil | 3 |
HIST 383 | Chicano/a/x History | 3 |
HIST 384 | History of Mexico | 3 |
LANG 194 | Special Topics in Language, Literature or Culture (when taught as Social Justice in Latin America) | 3 |
LATS 294 | Special Topics in Latin American Studies | 1-3 |
LATS 494 | Special Topics in Latin American Studies | 1-3 |
LATS 499 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
PHIL 494 | Special Topics in Philosophy (when taught as Latin American Thought) | 3 |
POLS 357 | Politics in Latin America | 3 |
POLS 366 | Politics in Mexico | 3 |
POLS 374 | U.S.-Latin American Relations | 3 |
POLS 494 | Special Topics in International Relations (when taught as Latin American Politics and Film) | 1-4 |
SPAN 194 | Special Topics in Spanish | 3 |
SPAN 294 | Special Topics in Spanish (when taught as Narratives of the Mexico/US Border) | 3 |
SPAN 304 | Cultural History of Latin America | 3 |
SPAN 305 | Spanish for the Professions and Social Change | 3 |
SPAN 360 | Survey of Latin American Literature | 3 |
SPAN 434 | The "New" World | 3 |
SPAN 448 | Latin American Short Story | 3 |
SPAN 449 | Latin American Novel | 3 |
SPAN 451 | Latin American Poetry | 3 |
SPAN 453 | Mexican Literature and Culture | 3 |
SPAN 456 | Humans Rights in Latin American Cultural Production | 3 |
SPAN 458 | Jewish Latin America | 3 |
SPAN 494 | Special Topics in Spanish (when taught as Afro-Caribbean Literature, Border Narratives, or Travels through Central American Literature and Culture) | 3 |
THRS 121 | Chicanx Religious Identities | 3 |
THRS 358 | Latinoa Catholicism | 3 |
Additional courses may be used to satisfy the elective requirement in the Latin American Studies minor, if the focus is Latin America or Latinx issues in the United States. Examples include: COMM 480 , ETHN 361, etc. Consult the Program Director and the Latin American Studies website for information about these courses.