Rationale for a LAS Major
The region of Latin America has experienced two dramatic economic and political experiments since the mid to late 1980s. The emergence of large economies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile has made the region more important for the US economic health. In fact, Brazil is routinely predicted to be a top six economy in terms of GDP in the next decade by economic analysts, which would mean that there would be a continental shift in the economic balance of power in Latin America. Politically, the region has been amazingly receptive to democratic governance in recent decades. It has seen regular and peaceful transition of power from one contender to another after a particular electoral cycle, a fact unseen in the previous 200 years of political history. These two facts, together with the relative decline of US influence in the region, could become catalyst to innovative economic and political experiments that a Major in Latin American Studies would most credibly focus and analyze.
Requirements for the Major
The new Major will require 10 courses with a minimum of 30 credits:
- Language Requirement: Two (2) courses of advanced Spanish or advanced Portuguese language or literature courses.
- One Capstone Seminar (LAS 3950 or SOC 6500).
- Three Broad thematic courses, one each in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and History.
- One course in Research Methods.
- Three Electives with options for Internship and independent study.
- One semester of Study Abroad: Students are mandated to spend a semester abroad at a university in Latin America and can satisfy multiple requirements of acquiring linguistic skills, cultural immersion, and course requirements.
Requirements for the Minor
A LAS Minor will require 7 courses with a minimum of 21 credits:
- Language Requirement: Two (2) courses of intermediate Spanish or intermediate Portuguese language.
- One Capstone Seminar (LAS 3950 or LAS 6500)
- Four electives (4 courses)
Overseas Programs
Program in Chile
The Program offers all undergraduates a unique six week summer experience annually at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso in Chile. Participants can earn six Villanova credits by taking two courses from the offerings in language, literature, economics, politics, culture, and social issues. Students are placed individually with carefully selected Chilean families in order to have an opportunity to be part of the daily life of the city and its people.
Program in Costa Rica
The Program strongly encourages students to use the short and long academic programs offered through our partner institution, International Center for Development Studies (ICDS), in San José, Costa Rica. ICDS’s programs exclusively cater to student needs in the areas of sustainable development, environment, justice, and human rights. Students may earn anywhere from 6 to 15 credits by spending six weeks to a semester, even a year, at ICDS and hone their skills in analyzing the real problems of Latin America today.
Internship
The Program also offers exciting internship opportunities in both Costa Rica and Chile. Students participate in challenging ongoing projects and asked to produce reports at the end of the assignment. The United Nations Program for Crime Prevention, The Inter-American Court for Human Rights, Chiquita Bananas, and the Chilean National Legislature are only a few of many prominent institutions in the region that offer our students internship opportunities. All internship requests must be processed through the College’s Office of Internships in close collaboration with the Office of International Studies.
