The UF Center for Latin American Studies was founded in 1930 and is one of the largest and most prestigious institutions of its kind in the United States. UF has approximately 180 faculty members whose teaching and research focus to a significant extent is on Latin America and the Caribbean. The Latin American Collection of the George A. Smathers Library is one of few stand-alone collections in the United States and features extraordinary holdings on Brazil, the Caribbean and other areas of Latin America.

This program is built upon the social sciences, humanities, languages and area studies. It requires 21 credits of 3000/4000-level coursework in Latin American and Caribbean area courses, intermediate proficiency in a language of Latin America and the Caribbean (typically Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole), a senior thesis and at least seven credits of IDS 4906.

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The interdisciplinary major in Latin American studies provides students with broad knowledge of contemporary and historical issues relevant to Latin America. The program offers training in areas such as the geography, history, society, economy, politics, religion, arts and culture of Latin America. Students will demonstrate or otherwise acquire proficiency in at least one major Latin American language and will learn how to identify and conduct relevant research or field work on a Latin America-related topic.

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to evaluate the significance, quality and veracity of information gathered from scholarly sources and to apply it effectively. They also will be able to construct analytical arguments and communicate their perspective confidently in spoken and written form.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in a major Latin American language as determined by successful course completion, adequate score on the AP or SAT II exams or individual oral examination (for native speakers).
• Satisfactorily complete IDS 4906 (capping 7-12 credits of thesis research), graded according to department rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Conduct interdisciplinary research on a Latin American topic and articulate research results clearly.

Critical Thinking

2. Critically evaluate the significance, quality and veracity of information gathered in the literature and apply it effectively.

Communication

3. Communicate effectively in spoken and written formats.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 3

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3
IDS 4906	I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
LAS 4935	I, R, A	I, R, A	I, R, A
These are the only required courses for this major (or equivalent with other prefixes).

Assessment Types

• Direct assessment of thesis and research paper

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