Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies
Latin American Studies offers a BA and minor that provides an interdisciplinary perspective on this complex and diverse region of the world, with a special focus on Mexico and Central America. The curriculum for the major is designed for both breadth and depth in order to accommodate students' various interests and career goals. A major or minor in Latin American Studies is a valuable adjunct to a BA in such related fields as anthropology, foreign language, geography, history, international relations, or political science.
The Latin American Studies Program allows you to study with experts in the region from departments across the campus. It can help prepare you for a variety of careers in our rapidly globalizing world, including business, education, journalism, recreation and travel. In addition, it can enhance your job opportunities with both government and non-governmental agencies.
Our unique semester-long cultural immersion program is designed to complement the major and minor in Latin American Studies at Chico State. This program combines on-campus academic preparation for ten weeks followed by experiential education for six weeks in Merida, Mexico. During the overseas segment, each student lives with a Mexican family and works at an unpaid internship with a school, government agency, or private business.
The idea behind the Cultural Immersion Program is to experience life as you would have if you had been a Mexican. This is your chance to be an insider, rather than merely a tourist! The program is limited to twenty students per semester who are accompanied throughout by a Chico State faculty member. This program provides a unique opportunity for the student not only to experience a foreign culture from the inside, but also to benefit from a personalized educational experience which is very rare in a state university.
As an educational bonus, completion of the Cultural Immersion Program fulfills the University's Upper Division General Education requirement (Theme I). With just two additional classes you can claim a minor in Latin American Studies.
For more information contact Dr. Stephen E. Lewis, Coordinator of Latin American Studies Program at 530-898-6244 or by e-mail: slewis2@csuchico.edu