Program Guide

International Affairs (Latin American and Caribbean Studies)

College: Social Sciences and Public Policy
Degree: BS and BA
Specialized Admission: No

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The undergraduate program in Latin American Caribbean Studies is designated for: (1) general liberal arts students who wish to learn more about the peoples and civilizations of this vital area; (2) students who wish to pursue graduate work in this field; and (3) students who seek employment in or relating to Latin America and the Caribbean. As this program is interdivisional in nature, students take courses in anthropology, art, communications, economics, geography, history, humanities, languages, music, philosophy, political science, religion and sociology.

Prerequisite Coursework: None
There are no prerequisite coursework for the major, but students are encouraged to take lower level introductory courses in some of the related disciplines. Such courses serve as background for the major and may meet prerequisites for more advanced courses in the major.

Students are encouraged to begin study in a relevant area language and to take any culture and history courses that relate to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
Students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with a minimum FSU GPA of 2.00 and most of the General Education requirements met, including freshman English composition and mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: 40 hours

40 hours required beyond General Education requirements or an AA Degree with a grade of C minus or higher in each course and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. All coursework must be selected from the approved list of courses that can be found in the FSU Undergraduate Bulletin. Students majoring in the program are to construct their study program around four components, in consultation with an advisor.

The components are:

1). International Affairs Core Courses (4 hours) - INS 2010 (1) Professional Development for International Affairs Majors and INS 3003 (3) Introduction to International Affairs.

2). Area-Specific Courses (24 hours) - A minimum of 24 hours from the approved list of area-specific courses (see advisor).

3). 12 hours of additional elective coursework from the general International Affairs or respective area-specific course list (see advisor).

4). Respective language requirement.

Students majoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies are required to complete relevant area language coursework to the intermediate level or demonstrate proficiency to the intermediate college level in Spanish, Portuguese, French, or other approved Latin American Caribbean language (at 2200 level or equivalent course). Students will be encouraged to bring their chosen language up to an effective level of proficiency in both reading and speaking by either taking additional coursework on the FSU campus or by participating in a semester or summer abroad program in their relevant cultural area as such programs become available. To encourage the achievement of language proficiency, language coursework hours taken beyond the intermediate foreign language requirement may be counted towards the required 40 hours for the major.

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3) or CGS 2100 (3) or other University approved Digital Literacy course will meet the requirement for this major.

Oral Communication Competency: (3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with an approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 40*
Minor Coursework 0
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Communication Competency 3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

*NOTE: Hours taken to meet General Education or AA requirements cannot be used to fulfill the 40 hours required in the Latin American and Caribbean Studies major.

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu.

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major:Sinologist, Foreign Service Officer, Intelligence Specialist, Teacher, Journalist, Import/Export Trade Specialist.

Graduates of the Latin American & Caribbean Studies program are prepared for work similar to those in the broad field of International Affairs, but obviously in a specialized area. Government, Teaching and Business are the primary employers.