Latin American Studies Minor

The Latin American Studies Minor is a 15-credit cultural studies program designed to offer Becton College students an interdisciplinary minor that incorporates a Latin American-centered curriculum to include the Spanish Language as well as Literature and History. Students can also earn credit through courses linked to short-term study abroad in Latin America offered at Becton College, while they can also earn credit from a full semester study abroad program in Latin America.

“Minoring in Latin American Studies not only allowed me to expand my horizons beyond my major, but it let me explore a passion and helped me to create a better understanding of the world around me. There is a special connection made when given the opportunity to understand and appreciate the culture, struggles, and voices of the Latin American people who came before us. Through this minor, I was able to learn how the world was and is, but also how it could be.”

Christina Batista, former Latin American Studies student

Students who complete this minor will be able to improve their bilingual skills, understand the complex social, economic, cultural, and political characteristics of Latin America and the Latinx communities in the US, participate in special academic events, and have access to bilingual internships in important local organizations and institutions.

The best students in the program will be able to join the FDU Latin Americanists, an elite group of students trained to organize and participate in events and activities. They represent FDU locally, nationally, and internationally, and promote awareness about Latin American history and culture as well as the Latinx heritage in the US.

Faculty and Staff

Program Requirements

From the 15 credits available:

• Students need a minimum of 6 credits in History and 6 credits in Language and Literature
• Students can take the remaining 3 credits in either Language and Literature or History

History Courses

Required History Courses (Pick 2 or 3 Courses)

• HIST 2501 Colonial Latin America
• HIST 2502 Modern Latin America
• HIST 2506 Pre-Columbian Americas
• HIST 2503 Post-Columbian Native American History
• HIST 2504 Crime & Punishment in Latin America
• HIST 3251 Gender and Race in Latin America
• HIST 3252 Dictatorship in Latin America
• HIST 2510 Latin American History in Film

Language and Literature Courses

Required Language and Literature Courses (Pick 1 or 2 Courses)

• SPAN 1002 Beginning Spanish II
• SPAN 2003 Spanish Conversation I * 
• SPAN 2004 Spanish Conversation II *
• SPAN 2009 Spanish for Professions
• SPAN 3411 Latin American Culture and Civilization (Spanish)

Elective Language and Literature Courses (Pick 0 to 2 Courses)

• SPAN 2006 Music in Spanish: Writing and Conversation
• SPAN 2007 Hispanic Current Events: Writing & Conversation
• SPAN 2008 Hispanic Film: Writing and Conversation
• SPAN 2507 Latin American Culture & Civilization (English)
• SPAN 2530 Latin American Film
• SPAN 3431 Latin American Short Stories
• SPAN 3463 The Hispanic Essay
• SPAN 3310 Latin American Women Writers
• SPAN 3441 Latin American Theater
• SPAN 4440 The Hispanic Novel
• SPAN 4477 Honors Research and Thesis
• SPAN 4498 Internship
• SPAN 4800 Senior Independent Study

OR in conjunction with:

Study Abroad (Short-term of 3-6 credits or full semester study abroad of up to 15 credits is highly recommended. Students will receive credit for relevant courses approved by the Department of Social Sciences & History for Latin American and/or Spanish-centered curriculum.)

Additional courses will be added to this list as additional course offerings become available.