LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM
2013-2014

Professors: James McGuire, Government; Ann M. Wightman, History

Associate Professors:  Robert Conn, Romance Languages and Literatures; Fernando Degiovanni, Romance Languages and Literatures, Chair

Assistant Professor:  Melanie Khamis, Economics; Maria Ospina, Romance Languages and Literatures

Departmental Advising Experts 2012-2013: Fernando Degiovanni, Robert Conn

Department/Program Home Page

Latin American studies (LAST) is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide an integrated view of Mesoamerica, South America, and the Caribbean. This interdisciplinary approach is complemented by concentration in a specific department. A student who completes the program will receive a degree in Latin American studies with concentration in a particular department. A double major in the department of concentration is an option for Latin American studies majors.

The Major Program. Twelve semester courses are required to complete the LAST major, (1) six in LAST and at least six in a department of concentration; or (2) seven in LAST and five in a department concentration. The five or six courses in the concentration need not be cross-listed with LAST. Acceptable departments of concentration are those with an affiliated LAST faculty member, currently economics, earth and environmental sciences, government, history, music, religion, sociology, Spanish, and theater.   With the approval of the Chair, students may concentrate in other departments that have faculty members with substantial knowledge of and interest in Latin America and/or the Caribbean.  LAST majors may not concentrate in another program (e.g., AMST) or in a college (e.g., CSS).

Mandatory LAST courses at Wesleyan. Of the twelve courses required to complete the LAST major, at least eight must be taken at Wesleyan. On petition to the chair, an exception may be made for (1) students who transferred to Wesleyan and who seek LAST major credit for courses taken at their previous institution(s), or (2) students participating in the Twelve College Exchange Program who seek LAST major credit for courses taken at one of the other participating colleges.

Of the twelve courses required to complete the LAST major, three are mandatory: LAST 200 (Colonialism and Its Consequences in the Americas), LAST 226 (Spanish American Literature and Civilization), and LAST 245 (Survey of Latin American History). Each of these mandatory courses must be taken at Wesleyan.

One additional LAST-cross-listed social science course is also mandatory. It, too, must be taken at Wesleyan.

Additional requirements for the major. Majors must also complete the LAST research requirement by writing a paper at least 20 pages in length that is centrally concerned with Latin America, that is on a topic of the major's own choosing, and that receives a grade of B- or better. For additional details concerning the research requirements click here.  Departmental honors are awarded to majors who complete a senior thesis of exceptional quality and who have a distinguish record of course work in the program. For additional details concerning the honors program click here.

LAST majors must also complete   Stage II of the General Education Expectations.

To graduate as a LAST major, students must maintain an average of B- or better in all courses taken at Wesleyan that are cross-listed in the LAST major, whether or not the student elects to place these courses on the senior concentration form.

Non-LAST courses at Wesleyan that may count toward the LAST major. In exceptional circumstances, Wesleyan courses that have significant Latin American content but are not cross-listed with LAST may count toward the major. Students must petition the LAST chair to obtain LAST major credit for such courses.

Courses at Wesleyan that may NOT count toward the LAST major. 

• No Spanish language courses may count toward the LAST major -- only Spanish literature courses. SPAN221 counts. No 100-level Spanish courses will be accepted for credit toward the LAST major.
• No more than one music course involving primarily or exclusively performance may count toward the LAST major.
• No student forum courses may count toward the LAST major. Also, LAST does not sponsor student forum courses.
• No more than one introductory (100-level) course in a student's department of concentration may count toward the LAST major.
• No more than one thesis tutorial credit may count toward the LAST major.

Courses taken at other institutions in the United States. No course taken at another institution in United States may count toward the LAST major, whether taken during the summer or during the academic year. On petition to the chair, an exception may be made (1) for students who transferred to Wesleyan and who seek LAST major credit for courses taken at their previous institution(s), or (2) for students participating in the Twelve College Exchange Program who seek LAST major credit for courses taken at one of the other participating colleges.