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UWM

Academic Catalog 2020-2021
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  • Letters and Science (College of)»
  • Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies»
  • Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S Latinx Studies, BA

Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies

  • Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S Latinx Studies, BA
bnr-latin-american-carribean-studies
College of Letters and Science

Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S Latinx Studies, BA

  • Overview
  • Requirements
  • Advising
  • Honors

UWM students interested in pursuing advanced knowledge about the varied cultures, histories, languages, and origins that are included within Latinx populations have three different programs to choose from, including a major and two different certificates.

UWM students in the Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL) major learn about the many different histories, cultures, and modern issues of Latinx peoples from all three regions - Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. It is among a small handful of programs nationwide to explore both Latinx communities in the U.S. as well as those in Latin America and the Caribbean; most programs focus on one or the other. Coursework spans several departments, including history, sociology, the arts, political science, anthropology, languages and literature, giving students many different lenses through which to look.

Many students choose this major because they intend to work with the Latinx population in some way. They may be going into health services, education, manufacturing, business, nonprofit work, social services, trade, or government work. Regardless of industry, they understand that the impact of globalization is growing and they recognize the increasing importance of Latin American countries and Latinx communities in the U.S. as political and economic forces.

Students more interested in the experience of Latinx communities within the United States might find our certificate in Latino Studies well-suited to their personal and professional goals. A certificate is similar to a minor in terms of number of credits, but like the interdisciplinary LACUSL major mentioned above, it draws on classes from many different subject areas. Students can expect to take classes from history, English, Spanish, educational policy, and sociology.

Students more interested in Latin America and the Caribbean should explore the certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies in more detail. 

Both certificates are excellent complements to other majors both within the College of Letters & Science as well as professional degrees such as business, education, nursing or health sciences.

Numerous study abroad opportunities are available to students in any of these programs, including short-term and longer-length. Most students start planning their study abroad experience early in sophomore year for trips that take place in junior year. Popular destinations include Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile.

Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree

Complete 120 credits including 90 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 90 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.

To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.

University General Education Requirements (GER)

Course List
Code Title Credits
Oral and Written Communication
Part A
Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course:
ENGLISH 102College Writing and Research (or equivalent)
Part B
Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement
Quantitative Literacy
Part A
Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department)
MATH 102
Mathematical Literacy for College Students II
MATH 103
Contemporary Applications of Mathematics
MATH 105
Introduction to College Algebra
MATH 108
Algebraic Literacy II
MATH 111
Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1
or PHILOS 111
Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning
MATH 116
College Algebra
Or equivalent course
Part B
Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement
Arts
Select 3 credits3
Humanities
Select 6 credits6
Social Sciences
Select 6 credits6
Natural Sciences
Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab)6
UWM Foreign Language Requirement
Complete Foreign Language Requirement through:
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language
Or equivalent
UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement
One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement
1

 Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.

College of Letters & Science Requirements

I. English Composition Requirement

Students must satisfy the English Composition Requirement with one of the following options:

1) Completing ENGLISH 102 with a grade of C or higher; or

2) by placing beyond ENGLISH 102 on the English Placement Test (EPT) (or other assessment as determined by the English Department); or

3) transferring a course of at least 2.5 equivalent credits from another institution that is equivalent to English 102, or a UWM higher-level expository writing course, with a grade of C or higher.

Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part A. The College of Letters & Science does not have a specific requirement for a writing course beyond English 102, but students must complete the university-wide requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part B listed above.

II. Mathematics and Formal Reasoning

To satisfy the Mathematics and Formal Reasoning Requirement, students must satisfy the following two requirements:

1. Achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) or earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course:

Course List
Code Title Credits
MATH 102Mathematical Literacy for College Students II3
MATH 103Contemporary Applications of Mathematics3
MATH 105Introduction to College Algebra3
MATH 108Algebraic Literacy II3
MATH 111Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 13
or PHILOS 111 Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning
MATH 116College Algebra3
MATH 175Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I3
1

 Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.

Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part A, listed above.

2. Complete one course (at least 3 credits) at the 200 level or above chosen from courses in Mathematics, PHILOS 211, or Letters and Science statistics courses:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Complete one of the following:
3 or more credits in any 200-level or above Math course
AFRIC 220
Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies
ANTHRO 568
Introduction to Anthropological Statistics
ATM SCI 500
Statistical Methods in Atmospheric Sciences
BIO SCI 465
Biostatistics
ECON 210
Economic Statistics
GEOG 247
Quantitative Analysis in Geography
HIST 595
The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data
MTHSTAT 215
Elementary Statistical Analysis
PHILOS 211
Elementary Logic
POL SCI 390
Political Data Analysis
POL SCI 392
Survey Research
PSYCH 210
Psychological Statistics
SOCIOL 261
Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology

Note: This requirement is NOT the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part B. To complete the BA, students must take one of the L&S approved courses. Not all of the courses listed here will satisfy the QL-B requirement.

III. Foreign Language Requirement 

Placement testing may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work.

Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Foreign Language GER, but not vice versa.

Course List
Code Title Credits
Completed in one of the following ways:0-18
Successful completion of the 4th semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language)
Successful completion of the 3rd semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) PLUS the 2nd semester of college work or equivalent in another language other than English (including American Sign Language)

IV. International Requirement 

See Approved Courses for the L&S International Requirement for course options.  

Course List
Code Title Credits
Completed in one of the following ways:9
Complete 3 courses (min. 9 cr) in a single foreign language (not including literature-in-translation or American Sign Language) at the 3rd semester level and above
Complete 3 non-language courses (min. 9 credits) with an international content chosen from at least 2 curricular areas.
Complete 9 credits in combination of the two options above.

V. Breadth Requirement

Along with completing the University General Education Requirements of 3 credits in the Arts (A); 6 credits in the Humanities (HU), Social Sciences (SS), and Natural Sciences (NS/NS+); and a course with the Cultural Diversity (CD/+) designation, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.

Course List
Code Title Credits
Arts
Select 3 credits3
Humanities
Complete 12 credits of L&S courses with Humanities Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single subject area. *12
Social Sciences
Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Social Science Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. *12
Natural Sciences
Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Natural Sciences Breadth designation, including at least one laboratory or field course; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. *12
Cultural Diversity
Complete 3 credits in a course with Cultural Diversity (CD) designation. **3
*

Students should check their course selections carefully with the list of approved L&S Breadth Courses.  Students are advised to select at least 6 credits worth of courses in each of the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences areas that can satisfy both the campus-wide General Education Requirements and the L&S Breadth requirement.

**

Students are advised to select a course that satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement as well as a Humanities or Social Science breadth/GER requirement. 

 VI. The Major

The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM.  In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.  Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments.  Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA.  The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.

Research Requirement

Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty.  A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.

VII. The Minor

The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM.  In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.

Major Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits in the major, at least 15 of which must be taken at the advanced level (300 and above) in residence at UWM. The College requires that all students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.

With approval of program coordinator, a relevant course not currently listed above may be substituted.

The following are required:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Core
Introductory
LACS 101Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies3
LATINO 101Introduction to Latino Studies3
Latinx and Latin American-Caribbean Integrative Content
Select two of the following:6
COMPLIT 365
Literatures and Cultures of the Americas: (subtitle)
CURRINS 550
Using Children's Literature to Explore Latin Am/Latino Cultural Heritage
ENGLISH 316
World Cinema: (with appropriate subtitle)
ENGLISH 394
Theories of Mass Culture: (Latino and Latin American Popular Culture)
HIST 372
Topics in Global History:
LACUSL 200
Special Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:
LACUSL 300
Advanced Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:
LACUSL/THEATRE 324
Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre
LACUSL 699
Advanced Independent Study
Capstone
LACUSL 680LACUSL Senior Research Project 13
or LACUSL 699 Advanced Independent Study
Electives
Select 18 credits (see below)18
Total Credits33
1

 In semesters when LACUSL 680 is not offered, students may complete the capstone requirement by taking LACUSL 699, with an appropriate faculty member from the LACUSL associated faculty. L&S guidelines require that the student:

  1. conduct independent research;
  2. evaluate and integrate prior research; and
  3. present the findings in a professional manner and context; and that the sponsoring faculty member provide clear guidelines on how performance will be evaluated.

The student also may substitute an existing course in one of the curricular codes represented by the major's electives, provided that it satisfies the L&S research requirement for that major and provided that the major research project undertaken as part of that course has a distinctly LACUSL topic.

Electives

Electives may be selected from integrated courses as well as from the three course clusters listed below. Students must take at least two courses from Artistic Expression, at least two from Social and Natural Sciences, and up to two from Language and Communication Skills. At least three different departmental curricular codes must be represented among the electives. A course taken to satisfy the Integrative requirement may not count as an elective. A maximum of 3 credits in an internship (LACUSL 289 or LACUSL 489) may count as an elective for the major.

With approval of program coordinator, a relevant course not currently listed below may be substituted.

Artistic Expression

Course List
Code Title Credits
ARTHIST 104African, New World and Oceanic Art and Architecture3
ARTHIST 251Introduction to the Art and Architecture of Latin America3
ARTHIST 367Latin American Modernisms3
ARTHIST 373Art of Ancient Mexico and Central America3
ARTHIST 375Art of the Aztec Empire3
COMPLIT 365Literatures and Cultures of the Americas:3
CURRINS 550Using Children's Literature to Explore Latin Am/Latino Cultural Heritage3
DANCE 414Dance Composition III2-3
ENGLISH 279Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature:3
ENGLISH 316World Cinema:3
ENGLISH 374Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature3
ENGLISH 394Theories of Mass Culture:3
ENGLISH 523Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature:3
LACUSL/THEATRE 324Theatre in the Americas: Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Theatre3
PORTUGS 225Understanding Brazil:3
PORTUGS 360Luso-Brazilian Culture:3
PORTUGS 380Luso-Brazilian Literature in Translation:3
PORTUGS 457Seminar in Luso-Brazilian Literature3
SPANISH 371Introduction to Latino Literature in English3
SPANISH 373Topics in Latino Literature in English:3
SPANISH 472Survey of Spanish-American Literature and Civilization3
SPANISH 507Seminar in Spanish-American Literature:3
SPANISH 575Seminar in 18th & 19th Century Spanish-American Literature & Civilization:3
SPANISH 577Seminar in Modern Spanish-American Literature and Civilization:3

Social and Natural Sciences

Course List
Code Title Credits
AFRIC 320Black Cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean3
AFRIC 334Survey of Black American and Black Brazilian Societies3
AFRIC 414The Black Woman in America, Africa, and the Caribbean3
AFRIC 418Race, Class, and Gender in Latin America and the Caribbean3
ANTHRO 225The Aztec Empire3
ANTHRO 309Archaeology of Central and South America3
ANTHRO 310Archaeology of Middle America3
ANTHRO 311The World of the Ancient Maya3
ANTHRO 497Study Abroad: (Peru Past and Present, Archaeological Perspectives)1-12
ATM SCI 297/497Study Abroad: (Air Pollution and Ancient Cultures)1-12
BIO SCI 297/ATM SCI 497Study Abroad: (Tropical Biology)1-12
ECON 353Economic Development3
ED POL 212Educational Issues in Spanish Speaking Communities3
ED POL 460The Chicano Experience3
ED POL 560Education and Hispanics3
ETHNIC 102Transnational Migrations: Asian-, Arab-, Euro-American and Latino Identity3
ETHNIC 245Indians, Artists, and Conquistadores: The U.S. Southwest3
GEOG 421Geography of Latin America3
HIST 180Latin American Society and Culture3
HIST 267The History of Latinos in the United States3
HIST 290Topics in Global History: (Ethnicity and Media: U.S., Latin America, and Caribbean)3
HIST 372Topics in Global History: (“Latino aLatin American/Caribbean Cities [previously offered as UrbPlan 692] or History of Media)3
HIST 393History of Mexico3
HIST 400Topics in Latin American and Caribbean History:3
HIST 404Topics in American History: (Tale of Two Cities – Milwaukee and Los Angeles)3
HIST 436Immigrant America Since 18803
LACUSL 200Special Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:3
LACUSL 300Advanced Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies:3
POL SCI 325Latin American Politics3
POL SCI 326Brazilian Politics and Society3
POL SCI 346U.S.-Latin American Relations3
SOCIOL 323Perspectives on Latino Communities3

Language and Communication Skills

Students are allowed to count up to two courses from this cluster. Courses from this cluster are not required.

Course List
Code Title Credits
ANTHRO/LINGUIS 570Issues in Bilingualism3
COMMUN 350Intercultural Communication3
COMMUN 550International and Global Communication3
COMMUN 675Communication in International Mediation and Peacebuilding3
CURRINS 542History and Politics of Second Language Education3
ENGLISH 404Language, Power, and Identity3
ETHNIC 200Racial Minorities in the United States3
FRENCH 303Conversation and Composition: Intermediate Level3
FRENCH 311French for International Business/Professional Communication: Oral Emphasis3
FRENCH 325Intensive Grammar and Usage3
FRENCH 361French for International Business/Professional Communication: Writing Focus3
FRENCH 401French for Reading Knowledge3
JAMS 450Race and Ethnicity in the Media3
LINGUIS 420Introduction to Second Language Acquisition3
PORTUGS 310Advanced Composition and Conversation3
PORTUGS 446The Portuguese-Speaking World: Sociolinguistic Perspectives3
SOCIOL 324Race and Ethnicity in Global Contexts3
SPANISH 308Advanced Writing and Reading3
SPANISH 318Advanced Speaking and Listening3
SPANISH 319Advanced Speaking and Listening for Heritage Speakers3
SPANISH 332Business and Legal Spanish I3
SPANISH 338Spanish for Health Professionals3
SPANISH 341Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics3
SPANISH 342Business and Legal Spanish II3
SPANISH 348Introduction to Translation: English to Spanish3
SPANISH 350Introduction to Literary Analysis3
SPANISH 388Health Issues in the Hispanic World3
SPANISH 446Hispanic Sociolinguistics3
SPANISH 541History of the Spanish Language3
SPANISH 595Spanish for Reading Knowledge3
A 3-credit internship course may count toward elective credit:3
LACS 289
Internship in Latin American/Caribbean Studies, Lower Division
LACS 489
Internship in Latin American/Caribbean Studies, Upper Division
LACUSL 289
Internship-Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies, Lower Divison
LACUSL 489
Internship in Latin American, Caribbean, and US Latinx Studies, Upper Level
LATINO 289
Internship in Latino Studies, Lower Division
LATINO 489
Internship in Latino Studies, Upper Division

Letters & Science Advising

The College of Letters and Science provides general academic advising for all students with a major in the College, particularly as it relates to campus' general education requirements and the College's degree requirements. We also provide specialized advising for pre-professional students (pre-med, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, etc.) regardless if their major is in Letters and Science or not. Prospective students, including high school students and students seeking to transfer to a program in Letters and Science may also receive advising from our admissions counselors. 

Upon admission, students are assigned an advisor in the College advising office. Academic advising is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment. Appointments outside of these times may be available and phone appointments are available for online students. The advising office is located on the first floor of Holton Hall. Current students should call (414) 229-4654 to schedule an appointment or use the Navigate website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor; online scheduling is only available if you already have a Letters & Science advisor assigned to you. Prospective students should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.

When students declare a major, they will receive an additional faculty advisor located within the major department who will assist with requirements for that major. Students should read the "Declaration of Major" information on the website of the major that they are interested in. In some cases, the student will need to choose a faculty advisor as part of the declaration process.

All students are cautioned to consult their Letters & Science academic advisor AND their major advisor prior to each registration period to ensure they understand all requirements. Do not rely on pre-printed sample plans, as they are intended to be samples only and may not be right for your particular situation.

Honors in the College of Letters and Science

Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Thesis

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.

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Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latinx Studies

  • Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S Latinx Studies, BA
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Contact Information

Current Students contact Advisor Alida Cardos Whaley, alida@uwm.eduProspective Students contact a Letters & Science Admissions Counselor at(414) 229-7711 or let-sci@uwm.edu

https://uwm.edu/latin-american-caribbean-us-latino-studies/undergraduate/

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Our Catalog is a general source of information about course offerings, academic programs and requirements, expenses, rules, and policies. The University reserves the right to change the information published in this Catalog without notice. Students are advised to consult with their individual School/College or department for the most up-to-date information about program requirements.

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