Latin American Area Studies (LAAS) is an interdisciplinary program at Morris. Latin American countries have been our allies, our enemies, our trading partners, and our friends. Our history is entangled with the history of the region south of the US border. We influence their culture, and they influence ours. In LAAS, we study Latin American history and culture using a wide variety of perspectives and methods. When you study in the LAAS discipline you will acquire a basic introduction to Latin American cultures and societies; the means essential to gain an understanding of Latin America and its diverse peoples; and an understanding of Latin America in a comparative perspective. Objectives--To provide a basic introduction to the cultures and societies of Latin America, to provide the means essential to gain an understanding of Latin America and its diverse peoples, and to place Latin America in a comparative perspective. To meet these objectives, three of our core courses engage students in learning about the histories, contemporary events, and research resources on Latin America. In addition, all of our electives courses introduce students to a diversity of significant topics on Latin America, ranging from language proficiency, literature courses on Latin American cultures, issues of social justice, human rights, development, politics, economics, revolutions, and more. Our Senior Capstone course immerses students in gaining a deeper understanding of selected topics on Latin America with a comparative perspective in mind. Together, our courses engender greater comprehension of Latin America, language comprehension and communication skills, important analytical skills, greater inter-cultural sensitivity and empathy, and ability to conduct research and compose well-written research papers. Student Learning Objectives: 1. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world through in-depth study in a particular field (Latin American countries, histories, and cultures) and engagement in big questions related to Latin America (e.g., economic and political transformations). 2. Intellectual and practical skills through development of research and analytic skills (course essays, LAAS 3201 Bibliographic Tools and Journals in LAAS; senior capstone course). 3. An understanding of the roles of individuals in society through gaining intercultural knowledge and competence (all courses). 4. Capacity for integrative learning through requirement of 20 electives credits in three different disciplines. Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Ability to think critically and communicate effectively, through informed understandings of Latin America, on issues of historical, social, economic, and political processes affecting the region. 2. Ability to locate relevant research resources and apply them in conducting research on Latin America. 3. Ability to competently compare and contrast the different countries and regions of Latin America from the perspectives of its diverse human populations and societies. 4. Skills in understanding Latin America utilizing an inter-disciplinary perspective.

Students must enroll through the LAAS coordinator. Students are required to complete Span 1001, 1002 (or 1003), 2001, and 2002 prior to or during enrollment in the major (the requirement may be waived by testing out of Span 2002). Students are encouraged to use elective credits to acquaint themselves with as many academic fields of Latin American studies as possible. Students may have up to a three-course overlap with any other major. Additional overlap must be approved by the LAAS coordinator. No grades below C- are allowed. Courses may not be taken S-N, unless offered S-N only. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the major to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced.