Latin American Studies

Latin America is a region of great diversity, drama, and interest. Its physical beauty and extravagance is matched by the compelling nature of its vibrant social, cultural, and political life. The region’s economic significance to us is now coming into clearer focus, and has led to Canada’s membership in the Organization of American States, a trade agreement between Chile and Canada, and the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico. A major testing ground for competing development paths, Latin America offers valuable insights into the world’s future — and sobering reflections about its past.

The multi-disciplinary courses described in the Course Descriptions section will introduce students to many facets of the Latin American reality. From literature to sport, music to politics, we will begin to understand this complex and important region, and with the help of our imaginations (and the occasional study tour), breathe in some of its excitement.

UCFV offers a minor and an extended minor in Latin American Studies as part of its Bachelor of Arts program. You can also specialize in Latin American studies by completing the International and Development Studies option within UCFV’s Associate of Arts degree program. See the Associate of Arts degree section.

Students are given the opportunity to continue their studies in Latin America through study tours and field schools. In addition, UCFV has a formal agreement with the Autonomous University of Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico, to allow students to study at a Mexican university. Informal links exist with other universities and institutes in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Chile. In recent years, UCFV students have completed a co-op education work placement in Nicaragua and in Brazil, and it is hoped that further placements can be arranged.

This section specifies the extended minor and minor discipline requirements only. Please refer to the Bachelor of Arts section for additional BA requirements.

LAS extended minor requirements

Lower-level requirements: 21 credits

• Latin American Studies 100 or 102
• Latin American Studies 110 or History 261
• Latin American Studies 200
• Latin American Studies 201
• Six credits from: Spanish 101, 102, 201, 202
• Three credits chosen from: LAS 100, 102, 110; ANTH 220; GEOG 233; HIST 261, 262; SOC 250; SPAN 201, 202.

Note: Students may not use one course to meet two criteria.

Upper-level requirements
16 credits selected from the following:

• LAS 312
• LAS 402
• LAS 498
• Geography 343
• Geography 433A
• History 459
• SCMS 310 A–G*
• SCMS 363
• SCMS 388
• SCMS 440A
• SCMS 463
• SCMS 470A

Note: No more than eight credits can be taken in SCMS 310 A–G.

LAS minor requirements

Lower-level requirements: 12 credits

• Latin American Studies 100 or 102
• Latin American Studies 200
• Six credits from 100–200-level Latin American Studies or Latin American content courses: Latin American Studies 100, 102, 110, 201, Anthropology 220, Sociology 250, History 261, 262, Geography 233A

Upper-level requirements
16 credits selected from the following:

• LAS 312
• LAS 402
• LAS 498
• Geography 343
• Geography 433A
• History 459
• SCMS 310 A–G*
• SCMS 363
• SCMS 388
• SCMS 440A
• SCMS 463
• SCMS 470A

Note: No more than eight credits can be taken in SCMS 310 A–G.

Faculty

Jean Ballard, BA, MA (Calgary), Department Head

Teresa Arroliga-Piper, BEd (UNAN–Managua)

Bob Everton, BA (SFU), MA (SFU)

David Gibson, BA (UC–Santa Barbara), MA (UC–Davis)

Ian Joyce, BSc (Glasgow), MA, PhD (SFU)

Stephen Piper, BA (Sask), MA (Queen’s)

Chad Reimer, PhD (York)

Colin Ridgewell, BSc (Hons) (Southampton), MA (SFU)

Staff

Lesley Poh, Department Assistant

The LAS program is administered through the Social, Cultural, and Media Studies (SCMS) department.

To course descriptions index
Return to Faculty of Arts and Applied Arts index
Calendar home page/index