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Frequently Asked Questions about Latin American & Caribbean StudiesCan I really major in Latin American studies?Yes! The University of Michigan has offered an undergraduate concentration in Latin American and Caribbean Studies since 1984. If you are interested in Latin America and the Caribbean, but cannot devote the time needed to complete a major, you can now elect LACS as your Academic Minor. What is the difference between a LACS major and a Spanish major?The Spanish major is based on your knowledge of the Spanish language and your coursework in Spanish classes, which are mainly literature classes. Having a B.A. in Spanish tells people that you know a lot about Spanish language and literature. (You could get a Spanish degree without ever taking a single course on Latin America, if you concentrate on the literature of Spain.) The LACS major covers the anthropology, history, and politics of Latin America and the Caribbean, in addition to its language and literature. A LACS degree tells people that you have a well-rounded, academically sound knowledge of broad aspects of the regions society and culture. (Of course, there is nothing to keep you from doing concentrations in both LACS and Spanish! The two majors are very easy to combine.) What do I have to do to concentrate in LACS?The basic requirements are:
Is it possible to do a double concentration with LACS and another major?Yes, it certainly is! In fact, we encourage you to have a double major, if you are so inclined. Each year at least half our graduating concentrators complete degrees in more than one program. A double major is particularly easy to accomplish with programs that offer a large number of courses that count toward a LACS major, such as Anthropology, History, and Spanish, because you can apply these credit hours toward more than one major. Students with sufficient interest (and with the help of good planning) have also been able to double-major with Economics, English, French, Political Science, and other departments and programs. Another option is to combine a LACS major with a minor in another field (or another concentration with a LACS minor). One new minor that might be combined with LACS is the minor in International Studies. (Bear in mind that, by LSA rules, only one course may be double counted for both your major and your minor.) I'd like to study abroad. Can the courses I take count toward my major?Absolutely! The University's Office of International Programs (G513 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1349; tel: 313-764-4311) sponsors several Study Abroad programs in Latin America, and also offers counseling and assistance for students looking for programs sponsored elsewhere. The U-M programs include:
If you participate in one of these - or if you go on a study program to Latin America sponsored by another university and receive accreditation for it through LS&A - then every course on the local country, the Caribbean, or Latin America generally that you take (at the equivalent of the 300 level or above) will count toward your LACS major. (Language acquisition courses do not count, however.) Credits earned in University of Michigan study-abroad programs (run through the OIP) normally show up automatically on your UM transcript. (Check with the OIP for details.) To find out if credits will transfer to the University of Michigan from a non-UM study abroad program, ask the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to pre-evaluate the credits for the program. Submit the information online at www.admissions.umich.edu/oor. You can expect a response by email within 10-15 days. What about the thesis?The thesis requirement might seem intimidating at first, but all the students who go through the program discover that writing their thesis is a rewarding and fulfilling experience -- and not as hard as they had feared! Most LACS seniors enjoy researching and writing their senior thesis, and they learn a tremendous amount in the process. (Click here for titles of senior theses from past years.) Don't think of it as a thesis, but as a research paper. The thesis-writing course earns 3 credit hours, and should take no more of your study time than the average course. The difference is, you yourself choose the topic, do the research, find the professor who wants to work with you - and the only assignment is that one paper!
What can I do with this degree after I graduate?Latin America - and the Latino community in the United States - are growing in economic importance. More and more employers are aware of the importance of having employees who have the background and the skills to communicate intelligently with people from this vital region. Recent Latin American and Caribbean Studies majors have gone on to get graduate degrees in Law, Public Health, Public Planning, Natural Resources, Business, Medicine, Education, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Spanish, and other programs at top-ranked universities. They have gotten jobs in such careers as:
How do I sign up?Please contact David Frye, the LACS Undergraduate Advisor, at 647-0844, or send me an email to: dfrye@umich.edu.
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