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Concentration Program Description

The Interdepartmental Concentration Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies is designed to provide students with a rigorous, multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. A broad base of knowledge is established by the requirement of a core of upper-level work in languages, the social sciences, and the humanities. Analytical depth is demonstrated through the completion of a senior thesis under appropriate faculty supervision.

LACS may be elected as an interdepartmental concentration program.

Prerequisites. None.

Concentration Program. 30 credits at the 300-level or above, beyond the language requirement, are necessary to complete the concentration program. Among the 30 credits students must choose at least one course from each of the disciplines of Anthropology, History, Literature, and Political Science, as well as the thesis. The thesis is written during the senior year, while enrolled in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 399, the Thesis-Writer's Seminar, for 3 credits. (Permission of the instructor is required for enrollment in 399.)

Language Requirement. Competence in Spanish or Portuguese (equivalent to Spanish 275 or the intensive Spanish program at the Residential College, or Portuguese 232) should be achieved as early as possible in the program. Students are encouraged to go beyond this, either with further work in the language chosen or by achieving competence in the other major language.

Required Courses. In choosing the 30 hours of upper-level courses, students must include at least one course from each of the following areas:

Anthropology: 319 (Introduction to Latin American Society and Culture), 414 (Introduction to Caribbean Societies and Cultures), or another upper-level Anthropology course on Latin America.

History: 347 (Latin America: The Colonial Period), or 348 (Latin America: The National Period), or another upper-level History course on Latin America.

Literature: Spanish 381, Spanish 382 (Introduction to Latin American Literature, I and II), Portuguese 473 (Introduction to Brazilian Literature), or another upper-level course in Latin American literature.

Political Science: 347 (Government and Politics of Latin America), or another upper-level course in Latin American politics.

Elective Courses. The remainder of the 30 credits may be drawn from upper-level courses, from any department, that deal with Latin America and the Caribbean. These change from year to year. The Program will normally make available during pre-registration a list of courses relating to Latin America and the Caribbean offered the following term. Students should consult with their individual faculty advisor and with the Undergraduate Advisor concerning appropriate courses for their program. It is particularly important for students to enroll during their sophomore and junior years in courses that will provide the necessary background for their subsequent thesis research.

Senior Thesis. The senior thesis is a project intended to deepen the student's understanding of a specific issue or problem in the field, while drawing together his or her work in separate disciplines. It provides an opportunity to work closely with an individual faculty member, and to explore further issues that may have arisen in the student's earlier course work and research. It represents a significant amount of work. Students should begin planning the thesis during the junior year, and should approach a faculty member at that time about directing the thesis. A prospectus and preliminary bibliography should be submitted to the faculty advisor during the Fall Term of the senior year, and the thesis itself is due toward the end of the Winter Term. More detailed guidelines for the thesis may be obtained from the Director. The senior thesis constitutes a major commitment. Students interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies who do not wish to devote a considerable amount of energy in this senior year to a major research and writing project should choose a departmental or an individual concentration program, rather than this interdepartmental concentration program. Concentrators should enroll in the Thesis Seminar, Latin American and Caribbean Studies 399, for the term which they intend to complete the senior thesis. On successfully completing the thesis they will receive three credits toward the concentration.

Faculty Advisors: For a list of Faculty Advisors, please click here.

Advising. Prospective concentrators should consult the Director or the Undergraduate Advisor for guidance on courses (appointments with the Undergraduate Advisor, David Frye, are scheduled by telephone, 647-0844, or by email, dfrye@umich.edu). Walk-ins are always welcome, but please call ahead to check on the schedule of the person you would like to speak with. Normally, a concentration plan should reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the program and the themes that a student wishes to develop. Students should file a tentative concentration plan with the Program in their junior year, and update it prior to graduation.

The University of Michigan Interdepartmental Concentration Program
Latin American & Caribbean Studies (LACS, Division 415)
2607 School of Social Work Building
(1080 South University)
tel: (734) 763-0553 - fax: (734) 615-8880
email: lacs.office@umich.edu

Richard Turits (CAAS & History), Director

David Frye (Anthropology), Program Associate and Undergraduate Advisor