Requirements for the Major in Latin American Studies
A total of 10 courses, including Introduction to Latin American Studies (Latin American Studies 271), Advanced Spanish Grammar (Spanish 231), two Latin American literature courses at the 200 level or above, one Latin American history survey course (History 171 or 172), four additional courses on Latin America at the 200 level or above from at least three disciplines other than literature, and one senior seminar or senior project.

Students must receive a grade of C- or better for a course to count toward the major. No major requirements may be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory. The point scale for retention of the major applies to all courses taken to fulfill the major.

Majors are required to spend at least one semester in Latin America matriculated in a program that offers university-level courses (not in a language acquisition program); all course work abroad must be conducted in either Spanish or Portuguese. All study abroad plans must be approved by the director of the Latin American Studies Program. No more than the equivalent of four semester courses of foreign study or transfer credit may be counted toward the major. A minimum grade point average of 2.7 is required for admission to study abroad.

Note: Students wishing to fulfill the advanced grammar requirement in Portuguese must enroll, after securing the approval of the director of the Latin American Studies Program, in either a one-semester language program abroad (which will not replace the study abroad requirement) or in an intensive summer language program that certifies advanced proficiency.

Honors in Latin American Studies
Students majoring in Latin American studies with a 3.3 major average or better at the end of their sixth semester (including course work done abroad) may apply for admission to the honors program by May 1 of their junior year. Permission is required. It involves a year-long independent research project that replaces the senior seminar requirement. Successful completion of the work of the honors thesis and of the major will enable the student to graduate "With Honors in Latin American Studies."

Course Offerings

271f Introduction to Latin American Studies An intensive introduction to the field of Latin American studies through selected debates on identity, culture, politics, and development. The course integrates materials from disparate fields and media in order to examine key topics such as Mexican national identity, Brazilian urbanization, military rule in Chile, ethnic conflict in Guatemala, and Latinos in the United States. Students will read key Latin American works in translation, consult Latin American news sources, and use films, music, and dance in this interdisciplinary course. Also listed as History 271 (q.v.). Four credit hours. INSTRUCTOR

483f, 483j, 484s Senior Honors Thesis A year-long research project for senior majors, resulting in a written thesis to be publicly presented and defended. Students may register either for two credits in the fall, January, and spring terms or for three credits in the fall and spring terms. Prerequisite: a 3.3 or higher major average at the end of the junior year and permission of the Latin American Studies Advisory Committee. Two or three credit hours. FACULTY

491f, 492s Independent Study An independent study project devoted to a topic chosen by the student with the approval of an advisor. Only independent studies taken with a Colby faculty member and approved by the director of the Latin American Studies Program may count toward fulfilling major requirements. One to four credit hours. FACULTY

494fs Senior Project An independent study taken in the senior year that can be substituted for the senior seminar requirement. It can either be taken freestanding for four credits or in association with a seminar-style 200- or 300-level class for two credits. The former option requires prior course work in the chosen field and the approval of an appropriate supervisor. Permission to take the latter option is at the discretion of the instructor and the program director. Two or four credit hours. FACULTY