Undergraduate Minor

• Gain familiarity with social, cultural, political, and economic developments in a historical context;
• Understand changing and contested constructions of identities and belief systems among the diverse peoples of the region;
• Reflect on relations between political and governmental structures and changing social and cultural formations;
• Demonstrate oral proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese with a basis of grammar, vocabulary, accent, fluency, together with knowledge of literary and cultural productions;
• Develop skills of analytical and integrative thinking to communicate effectively for different audiences and purposes by writing and speaking within the context of the Senior Thesis;
• Illustrate basic and advanced qualitative and/or quantitative research skills (depending on the theme of Senior Thesis), including fluency with relevant print and virtual bibliographic and research guides.

To earn the Minor in Latin American Studies, students must meet the following criteria:

Language Proficiency: Minor students must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese in one of the following ways: completion of language coursework through Advanced II, successful completion of one 3000- or 4000-level course taught in either Spanish or Portuguese, or successful completion of Georgetown’s language proficiency exam (administered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese).

Coursework: Minor students must receive a B+ average or better in four core courses, one chosen from each of four categories:

• Government – LASP 3502 or GOVT 4456: Latin American Government and Politics. Offered once each year, with preference given to sophomores and juniors pursuing the minor.
• History – HIST 1501, 1503 or HIST 1504: Latin American Civilization I or II or The Americas I or II (Fall, Spring).
• Economics – LASP 3501: Economic Development of Latin America. Offered once each year, with preference given to sophomores and juniors pursuing the minor.
• Literature, Culture, and Language Studies – PORT 3261, SPAN 3261, SPAN 3262, SPAN 3267, or a 4000-level survey course in Latin American Literature, Culture, or Language.

An additional elective course is required for the minor. This course must have a Latin America and the Caribbean focus and may be chosen from the Culture and Politics, Economics, Government, History, International Affairs, Latin American Studies, Sociology, Spanish, Portuguese, or Theology course offerings.

Thesis Courses: The sixth requirement for the minor is the thesis process (comprising two courses: LASP 4501-01 in the fall [1 credit] and LASP 4502-01 in the spring [3 credits]), through which students research, write, and present a substantial thesis. With the guidance of the CLAS Director of Academic Affairs, students should decide on their thesis topic and adviser during the first semester of their senior year and should enroll in LASP 4501-01. Second semester of senior year is when the majority of thesis writing takes place, and students should be enrolled in LASP 4502-01.

Students must achieve at least a B+ in the Thesis Seminar in order to earn the minor. Failure to meet these requirements and deadlines is grounds for dismissal from pursuit of the minor.

English is the lingua franca for the Minor in Latin American Studies.  As such, the thesis must be written in English.

In rare instances, a student who is writing a thesis focused on Latin America or the Caribbean for their major, another minor, or a certificate may petition CLAS to waive the thesis requirement for the Latin American Studies minor. These petitions will be considered on a case-by-base basis. A waiver will be granted if (and only if) the student’s thesis has a substantial focus on Latin America or the Caribbean. If the thesis requirement for the Latin American Studies minor is waived, the student will be required to take an additional elective course for the Latin American Studies minor.

If you’re passionate about delving into the diverse narratives of this dynamic region, you might be considering pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies. To help guide you through this exciting academic journey, here’s a step-by-step guide on declaring your minor:

Timeline:

The minor declaration period kicks off at the conclusion of Add-Drop in September and extends until the Friday before Spring Break in your sophomore year. It’s crucial to initiate the process during this window to ensure a seamless experience.

Steps to Declare:

1. Fill out the Minor Declaration Form: Begin by completing the Minor Declaration Form, which serves as the starting point for officially declaring your intention to pursue the Latin American Studies minor.
2. Minor Declaration Statement (Optional): Take the opportunity to reflect on your interest in Latin American Studies by writing an optional Minor Declaration Statement. This brief essay provides you with a chance to articulate your motivations, goals, and aspirations related to the minor.
3. Attach Minor Declaration Statement (Optional): If you choose to write a Minor Declaration Statement, attach it to the completed form. This step allows you to share more about your passion for Latin American Studies and how it aligns with your academic journey.
4. Schedule an Appointment with Julie McMurtry: To finalize your declaration, sign up for a minor declaration appointment with Julie McMurtry, our dedicated advisor. Use the following link to schedule your appointment: Julie McMurtry’s Calendly.

Contact Information: Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us at clas@georgetown.edu or contact Julie McMurtry directly at Julie.McMurtry@georgetown.edu. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

No more than one of the six required minor courses may be taken at universities other than Georgetown. This includes coursework completed as part of a Georgetown study abroad program. Any non-GU courses must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the CLAS Director of Academic Affairs.

Students should meet with the Associate Director during their sophomore year to: (1) indicate an interest in pursuing the minor, (2) take inventory of the classes taken toward the minor, and (3) make sure that all paperwork is in order. Students must achieve at least a B+ in the Thesis Seminar in order to earn the minor credential.

Students must declare their intention to pursue the minor in Latin American Studies by spring break of their junior year.  The process of declaring pursuit of the minor begins with completion of the Minor Declaration Form.

Substitutions for any requirement must be pre-approved by the CLAS Director of Academic Affairs. It is much more likely that minor requirement substitutions will be approved for the elective course than for the core courses. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that written approval for any substitutions becomes a part of the student’s file at CLAS.

Students who are pursuing the minor may not double-count courses for their major with the minor. The student and the student’s undergraduate advisor bear all responsibility for ensuring that courses are counted properly. Students must maintain at least a B+ average in the five courses and must receive a B+ or higher in the thesis seminar in order to successfully earn the minor credential. Failure to do so will result in a student being dropped from the minor program.

If you are not ready to declare the minor but are passionate about Latin America and the Caribbean and eager to engage with CLAS, Please fill out this form. We look forward to hearing from you.