Latin American and Latinx Studies, Culture and Society Emphasis, Major

Liberal Arts (Code 341-202)

University Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)39
Liberal Education Core36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total2.00 average
Resident2.00 average
Major2.00 average
Minor2.00 average
Certificate2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total30
Senior year23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence21
Certificate25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.
1

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

2

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATIONCredit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree creditmaximum 12
Major, Standardmaximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensivemaximum 2 courses
Minormaximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree creditmaximum ¼ of total
Major or minormaximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree creditmaximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, dramamaximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, dramamaximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-Systemno maximum
Other extension/correspondencemaximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFImaximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTSa minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): HumanitiesTwo (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine ArtsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral CommunicationTwo (2) learning experiences
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): MathematicsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): CreativityOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and InclusivityTwo (2) learning experiences
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global PerspectivesOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental IssuesOne (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): IntegrationTwo (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning30 hours

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 341-202)

Minimum 36 semester credits including: 1
Required Courses-15 to 17 credits
LAS 150Introduction to Latin American and Latinx Studies3
LAS 222Introduction to U.S. Latino History and Culture3
LAS 450Capstone for Latin American and Latinx Studies (minimum one credit)1-3
SPAN 201Intermediate Spanish I4
SPAN 202Intermediate Spanish II4
Electives-a minimum of 19 credits
At least 12 credits from the following:12
Indigenous Theory and Methodologies
Language in Culture and Society
Ancient Art and Architecture of Mexico and Central America
Art of Tawantinsuyo
Economic Development of Latin America
Women and Economic Development
Sustainability Basics and Beyond
Water Problems, Water Solutions
International Environmental Problems and Policy
Social Foundations: Human Relations
Second Language Acquisition Theory
Latin American Literature in Translation
Planet Earth: Human Geography
Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment
Geography of Latin America
Latin American History: Colonial to the Present
Latin America Through Independence
Latin America Since Independence
Honors Colloquium in Humanities with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (when offered as Crossing Borders: Discourses from Latin America)
Music and Dance of Latin America
Latinx Health and Migration to the U.S.
Domestic Immersion Experience
International Immersion Experience
Directed Studies
Independent Study - Juniors
Internship 2
Special Topics
Internship with Immersion 2
Independent Study - Seniors
Mathematics in Latin American Cultures
Community and Public Health Nursing
Cross Cultural Health
Global Health
Introduction to Public Health
Environmental Ethics
Politics of Latin America
Indigenous Religions of the Americas
Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
Social Class and Inequality
Seminar in Hispanic Linguistics Research
Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Women of Color Feminisms
Transnational Feminism
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Advanced Travel Seminar (when offered as Women in Nicaragua)
Maximum of nine credits from the following:9
Conversation and Composition I
Conversation and Composition II
Phonetics and Pronunciation
Spanish for Business
Latin American Civilization
Latin American Civilization: Regional Focus
Survey of Hispanic Linguistics
Survey of Latin American Literature
Advanced Conversation
The Craft of Translation
Advanced Grammar
Spanish Sociolinguistics in Latin America/USA
Spanish for Health Professions
Spanish Business Writing
Topics in Latin American Literature
The Novel in Latin America I: 1850-1950
The Novel in Latin America II: 1950-Present
Latin American Modernismo
Latin American Literature and Film
Women in Latin American Literature
Special Topics (Latin American or Linguistics topics only)
Language Immersion Requirement 3
1

or equivalent courses offered in the study abroad programs

2

Students may earn a total of six credits from LAS 488 and LAS 498, but only three credits can count for the major.

3

Language Immersion Requirement: The Latin American and Latinx Studies, Culture and Society Emphasis, Major requires an immersion experience in a country of Latin America or participation in a faculty-led immersion experience focused on Latinx communities in the US. There are a variety of options for fulfilling the immersion requirement, including semester and summer programs abroad of a minimum three weeks' duration, Faculty-Led International Immersion Experiences (FLIIEs) and Domestic Intercultural Immersions (DIIs) of any duration that have been approved by the Latin American and Latinx Studies Program, National Student Exchange, internships, and volunteer work. No home stay during immersion is required for this major. Please consult with your advisor early on in your studies to choose the immersion experience that will work best for you. Because course offerings in study abroad programs vary, please consult with the Center for International Education  and your Latin American and Latinx Studies advisor early on in your studies to choose the time, program, and courses that will work best if you plan to fulfill your immersion experience through study abroad. Courses taken during study abroad may satisfy some of the requirements for the major or Liberal Education (LE) experiences and reduce time to graduation.

Note: Students who pursue Latin American and Latinx Studies and Spanish liberal arts program combinations will need to earn at least 48 unique credits between any major-minor or  major-certificate program combinations and 54 unique credits between any major-major program combinations for purposes of meeting graduation requirements for first and second degree programs. For other program combinations involving Latin American and Latinx Studies programs, students must earn a minimum of 48 unique credits for purposes of meeting graduation requirements for first and second degree programs. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Describe the diverse cultures, modes of communication, environments, and/or systems of knowledge and values as they pertain to Latin America, the Caribbean, and/or Latinos/Hispanics in the United States.
  • Explain global relationships of power, acknowledging multiple perspectives as they pertain to Latin America, the Caribbean, and/or Latinos/Hispanics in the United States.
  • Articulate how individual and/or collective decisions have global implications and appraise the need for personal and/or collective responsibility in creating more just global practices.
  • Communicate with proficiency in a non-English target language of Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos/Hispanics in the United States.1

1The desired benchmark for linguistic proficiency in the target language for the LAS Culture and Society Emphasis major is the Intermediate Mid level or above according to the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. Presently the target language in Latin American and Latinx Studies is Spanish. With the consent of the LAS Steering Committee students may work to develop proficiency in other languages spoken in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sample Degree Plan

Latin American and Latinx Studies, Culture and Society Emphasis, Major, B.A.a 

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

(Plan assumes language placement into SPAN 201 level.)
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SPAN 201Intermediate Spanish I (LE-S1 through placement; LE-R2)4
SECOND SEMESTER
SPAN 202Intermediate Spanish II (LE-S1 through placement; LE-R2)4
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
LAS 150Introduction to Latin American and Latinx Studies (LE-R2, LE-I1)3
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)5
OR
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
LE Option as needed3
LAS 222Introduction to U.S. Latino History and Culture (LE-K3, LE-R1, DDIV)3
LE Option: Skills 2 (LE-S2) Mathematics b, c 4
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences, w/lab d4
TOTAL FIRST YEAR30
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
Second program or LAS Elective e18
LE Option - select as needed3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1) Natural Sciences6
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities f3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR30
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND OR THIRD YEAR (SUGGESTED TIMING)
Complete immersion experience. See major requirements and consult with LAS advisor.
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
Second program or LAS Elective e9
LE Option - select as needed3
LE Option: Integration (LE-I1) b, g3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (LE-K2) Social Sciences3
LE Option: Skills 3 (LE-S3) Creativity3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts b, h3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity b, i3
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (LE-R3) Civic and Environmental Issues j3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
LAS 450Capstone for Latin American and Latinx Studies *1-3
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
Second program or LAS Elective e12
Second program or LAS Elective e15
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR28-30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

*This course can be taken for variable credit (1-3 credits)

The “SECOND PROGRAM or LAS ELECTIVE” courses above are placeholders. Students with a standard major are required to have a second program (second major, a minor, or a certificate). Each major, minor or certificate has its own requirements beyond the number of credits, and it is the student’s responsibility to investigate those and to be sure to have fulfilled those requirements. The total number of credits in this plan sums up to 121-123. Please take care to keep track of your overall credit total. You need a total of 120 credits to graduate; remedial level courses such as  MATH 10, and MATH 20 do not count towards the overall credit count.  Electives need to be carefully selected to ensure that a student’s degree comprises at least 39 credits of upper division courses (300-400 level). Taking some courses during the summer or winterim will help you to spread out your course load, which may help you do better in classes while still graduating within four years.  

a

Students who pursue Latin American and Latinx Studies and Spanish liberal arts program combinations will need to earn at least 48 unique credits between any major-minor or major-certificate program combinations and 54 unique credits between any major-major program combinations being used for the purpose of meeting graduation requirements for first and second degree programs.

b

A number of specific LE core elective courses are suggested throughout this plan because they are courses from the English language LAS electives (of which you have to take at least 12 credits for the LAS Culture and Society Emphasis Major) that also help you meet your LE learning outcomes; choosing these courses will help you graduate sooner. However, you are free to choose any other course to meet these LE learning outcomes.  

c

Suggested LAS elective for this LE outcome (S2): MATH 107 Mathematics in Latin American Cultures (S2). 

d

Suggested LAS elective for this LE outcome (K2L)ENV 101 Sustainability Basics and Beyond (K2, K2L; R3). 

e

The LAS Culture and Society Emphasis Major is a standard, 36 credit major which consists of 15-17 credits of required courses and at least 19 credits of elective courses, which can be fulfilled completely from a list of LAS Humanities and Social Sciences electives offered in English in other departments and programs but can include an optional maximum of 9 credits from a selected list of courses in Spanish. The courses mentioned in these notes to fulfill the LE requirements add up to more than the the required 19 elective credits. You should therefore prioritize this placeholder elective space to take courses that satisfy the requirements of your second program (second major, minor, or certificate). Please consult the latest catalog for the most complete lists of courses from which to choose. While students are encouraged to take additional courses in LAS, electives beyond program requirements can be selected from any discipline as long as the student meets the course prerequisites.

f

The following courses have no prerequisites and fulfill both the K3 and R3 learning outcomes: LAS 324 Latinx Health and Migration to the U.S., CJ 207 Rhetoric and SocietyPHIL 120 Ethical Reasoning, and WGSS 210 Culture of Third Wave Feminism. PHIL 320 Environmental Ethics also fulfills both K3 and R3 but has some restrictions (see catalog for details). If a course is taken that meets only K3 or R3, the other learning outcome must be met through another course or experience. Inquire with the respective departments as to when each course is offered.Of the courses above, only LAS 324 and PHIL 320 count as LAS Humanities and Social Sciences electives. 

g

Suggested LAS electives for this LE outcome (I1): PH 225/NRSG 225 Introduction to Public Health (I1; R1 + DD) or GEOG 178 Conservation of the Environment (I1; K1); the latter has a prerequisite.

h

Suggested LAS electives for this LE outcome (K4): ARTH 335/AIS 335 Ancient Art and Architecture of Mexico and Central America (K4) or ARTH 337/AIS 337 Art of Tawantinsuyo (K4).

i

Suggested LAS electives for this LE outcome (R1 + DD): ANTH 315 Language in Culture and Society, PH 225/NRSG 225 Introduction to Public Health (I1; R1 + DD); ES 385 Social Foundations: Human Relations (R1 + DD); SOC 312 Race and Ethnicity in the US (R1 + DD) or SOC 314 Social Class and Inequality (R1 + DD), WGSS 100 Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, or WGSS 315 Women of Color Feminisms. SOC 312, SOC 314 and WGSS 315 all have prerequisites. NRSG 389 also has an R1 + DD designation and counts as one of the English language LAS electives; it is typically offered online in Summer and WinterimHNRS 132 and ENGL 268 carry R1 + DD and when focused on Latinx/Hispanic related topics can be petitioned to count as LAS Humanities and Social Sciences elective.

j

Suggested LAS electives for this LE outcome (R3): ENV 101 Sustainability Basics and Beyond (K2, K2L; R3), ENV 140 Water Problems, Water Solutions (K2, R3), ENV 378/GEOG 178 International Environmental Problems and Policy (I1; R3), LAS 324 Latinx Health and Migration to the U.S. (K3; R3), or PHIL 320 Environmental Ethics (K3;R3). See footnote G above for courses that do not count as LAS Humanities and Social Sciences electives but which satisfy both the K3 and R3 learning outcomes. If a course is taken that meets only K3 or R3, the other learning outcome must be met through another course or experience. HNRS 187 carries R3 and when focused on Latin American related topics can be petitioned to count as an LAS Humanities and Social Sciences electives. 

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements). 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices. The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.