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Latin American, Latino & Caribbean Studies Advising Guide
Introduction
Using a
multidisciplinary approach, students in the Latin American, Latino and
Caribbean Studies major study the diverse, multilingual, multiethnic regions of
Latin America and the Caribbean and the cultural, linguistic, and
socio-political characteristics of the Latin American immigrant populations in
the United States. Students apply different methods of inquiry from various
perspectives and disciplines to gather information, evaluate arguments, and
analyze complex issues. A total of 11 courses are required for the LALC major
as described below.
Language Requirements
The LALC
majors are required to be able to read, write, and understand one of the three
main languages used in Latin America and the Caribbean (Spanish, Portuguese, or
French). For students fulfilling their language requirements for the LALC major
at Dickinson, this would mean a minimum of two courses beyond the intermediate
level required for all Dickinson students. Only one language course beyond the
required level will count as part of the 11 for the major.
Depending
on the specific region or topic of concentration, other languages used in Latin
America and the Caribbean may be approved as a substitute for a second
language. For example, someone working in the Netherland’s Antilles would study
Dutch or a student working in the highlands of Peru may elect to study Quechua
or Aymara in non-Dickinson programs.
In the case
of majors who are native speakers of Spanish, Portuguese, or French, the
language requirement can be waived. This should be done with the permission of
the LALC chair in consultation with the appropriate language faculty. In cases
where the waiver is granted, the student would take an additional elective to
complete the 11 courses required for the major.
Study
Abroad
LALC majors
are strongly urged to study at least one semester in an abroad program relevant
to their concentration, and whenever possible the majors should consider an entire
year abroad. Preference is given to the Dickinson
in South America Program (Cuenca, Ecuador and Mendoza, Argentina), the
Dickinson Program in Mexico (Querétaro), followed by the partner program in São
Paulo, Brazil and other partnerships that may develop. Only when a Dickinson or
a partner program does not meet the needs of the concentration should non-Dickinson
programs be considered.
Planning the
Major
Because of
the extensive geographic variation and virtually unlimited thematic
concentrations, students who declare a major in LALC are asked to discuss their
specific interests with contributing faculty and formulate a course plan for
completing the major.
The LALC
majors should plan on working with two faculty advisors and the major
chairperson. Of the two faculty advisors, one should be the principal
concentration advisor who will plan the courses with the student and in
consultation with other relevant faculty. A file will be kept on each major to
be reviewed every semester to make sure that all requirements are being met.
Latin American, Latino and
Caribbean Studies Minor
The minor consists of a
total of six courses as follows: LALC 101 and five other courses in at least
three different departments. Students pursuing the minor are encouraged to
select a concentration in case they later decide to major.
Course descriptions, requirements for the major: refer to the Academic Bulletin: Latin American Studies
or www.dickinson.edu/academics/resources/bulletin/Latin-American-Studies/