Major in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
The Program in Latin American, Caribbean, & Latinx Studies promotes the study of the histories, cultures, societies, and political systems of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latinx communities at the Johns Hopkins University. LACLxS’s curricular offerings and extracurricular activities provide undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to explore the rich political, aesthetic, intellectual, and scientific traditions of Latinx, Latin American and Caribbean peoples. Drawing on faculty expertise across the disciplines, LACLxS aims to generate new perspectives on Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Latinx experience in the United States. LACLxS offers an undergraduate major and minor.
Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies Major Requirements
The program requires a distribution of courses across disciplines, though students may choose to emphasize a particular area of specialization (e.g., politics, health, literature). The major is also particularly well suited to double majors with International Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures, and other social sciences and humanities departments. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. Seven of the 12 courses required for the major are required to be taken at JHU, and students planning to study abroad should discuss their course of study with the LACLxS director of undergraduate studies prior to their time away. All courses must be taken for a letter grade and be completed with a grade of C- or better. No more than two independent studies are acceptable toward the major.
Core Course Requirement
- AS.361.100 Introduction to Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Departmental and Program Courses
Students must take courses from at least three different departments or programs as they meet these requirements. Courses cross-listed in multiple departments will count toward the home department (defined by the department number) of the person teaching the course. No more than four courses from the Modern Languages and Literatures Department may count towards the major.
- Five courses at the 300-level or above focused on Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinx Studies. No more than two courses can be from any single department or program. For those students choosing the honors track described below, the two thesis seminars will count toward this requirement.
- Six additional courses at any level relevant or with reference to Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinx Studies. Up to three of these courses may be at the 100-level.
Language Proficiency
- Language proficiency (i.e., reading fluidity and basic conversational skills) through the intermediate level in Snish, Portuguese, Kreyol, or an Indigenous language. Language requirements can be waived for those who demonstrate a suitable proficiency.
- Two language study courses (AS.210.xxx) can count toward the overall course requirements for the major. Language courses that were waived cannot count toward the 12 courses required for the major, only toward the language proficiency requirement.
Writing in the Major
Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability coursework in one major. For this major, students would be able to fulfill this requirement by selecting 6 credits courses that are designated as Writing and Communications courses. These courses may overlap with two of the 12 required LACLxS courses. The courses may be at any level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LACLxS Introductory Course | ||
| AS.361.100 | Introduction to Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies | 3 |
| Language Coursework | ||
| Language proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, Kreyol or indigenous language, through the intermediate level * | 0-20 | |
| LACLxS Coursework | ||
| Five 300 level or higher courses relating to Latin America, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies | 15 | |
| Six additional courses at any level related to Latin America, the Caribbean or Latinx Studies. Up to three of these courses can be at the 100-level | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 36-56 | |
* Language requirements can be waived for those who demonstrate a suitable proficiency.
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AS.210.111 or 171 | 4 | AS.210.112 or 172 | 4 |
| 100-200 level LACLxS cross-listed course | AS.361.100 | 3 | |
| 4 | 7 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AS.210.211 or 288 | 3 | 100/200 level LACLxS cross-listed course | 3 |
| AS.361.300 | 3 | AS.210.212 | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 300+ level LACLxS cross-listed course | 3 | 300+ level LACLxS cross-listed course | 3 |
| AS.210.311 (Optional) | 3 | AS.210.312 (Optional) | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 300+ level LACLxS cross-listed course | 3 | 300+ level LACLxS cross-listed course | 3 |
| 300+ level LACLxS cross-listed course | 3 | LACLxS cross-listed course at 100-400 level | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Total Credits 47 | |||
Honors
To be considered for honors in LACLxS, students must maintain at least a 3.3 GPA in their major courses and complete an honors thesis. Honors students are required to undertake a two-semester independent course of study in their senior year during which they will prepare an honors thesis in consultation with a faculty advisor in the student’s particular area of interest. For the first semester of honors, students may take either a senior honors seminar in a relevant discipline, subject to approval from the director of undergraduate studies, or AS.361.XXX Senior Honors in LACLxS I with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students taking a departmental honors thesis do so in the understanding that they must write separate theses for each major. Upon successful completion of the first semester of honors, students will enroll in the LACLxS Senior Honors Thesis course with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (AS.361.XXX Senior Honors in LACLxS II). Both semesters of Senior Thesis in LACLxS may count as electives toward the LACLxS major or minor. Students must receive a B+ or better in both semesters of the thesis course. Those interested in pursuing honors should submit an application, including a research topic proposal, by May of their junior year. Approval will depend on students meeting the 3.3 GPA requirement.