We offer small, intimate classes where students can critically explore various facets of Latina/o social, political, and cultural life. LLS faculty—trained in diverse disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, history, media studies, literature, performance studies, public health, and ethnic studies—are excellent teachers and scholars, deeply committed to working with students. Our goal is to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to be active and conscientious participants in a global world.

Undergraduate students also have the option to pursue a minor in Latina/Latino studies.

Explore what you can do with a degree in Latina/Latino studies.

2018 graduating class

Requirements

Students must complete 34 hours of required and elective courses: 28 hours of core courses and 6 hours of electives, with at least 12 hours being at the 300-400 level. Also, students must complete an additional 18 hours of supporting coursework.

Latina/Latino Studies Major checklist

Core Courses (28 hours)

woman speaking to class at podium

 Literature, Media, and Culture

  • LLS 240: Latina/o Popular Culture
  • LLS 242: Intro to Latina/o Literature
  • LLS 250: Latina/os on the Bronze Screen
  • LLS 259: Latina/o Anthropology
  • LLS 357: Literatures of the Displaced
  • LLS 360: Contemporary US Latina/o Lit
  • LLS 365: Chicana/Latina Autobiography, Memoir, Testimonio
  • LLS 375: Latina/o Media in the US
  • LLS 410: Writing Latina/o Chicago
  • LLS 435: Commodifying Difference
  • LLS 458: Latina/o Performance
  • LLS 472: Border Latina, Latino Cultures
students at table

 Race, Gender, and Sexuality

  • LLS 230: Latina/o Genders & Sexualities
  • LLS 235: Race and the Politics of Reproduction
  • LLS 265: Politics of Hip Hop
  • LLS 320: Gender & Latina/o Migration
  • LLS 355: Race and Mixed Race
  • LLS 387: Race, Gender and the Body
  • LLS 392: Chicanas & Latinas: Self & Society
  • LLS 442: Latina Literature
  • LLS 465: Race, Sex, and Deviance
  • LLS 479: Race, Medicine, and Society
students in class

 History, Politics, and Society

  • LLS 220: Latina/o Migration
  • LLS 238: Latina/o Social Movements
  • LLS 278: Mapping Latina/o Inequalities
  • LLS 279: Mexican-American History
  • LLS 280: Caribbean Latina/o Migration
  • LLS 343: Criminalization and Punishment
  • LLS 368: Latinas/os & Public Policy
  • LLS 370: Latina/o Ethnography
  • LLS 379: Latina/os and the City
  • LLS 382: Race and Migration in Chicago
  • LLS 468: Latinas/os & the Law
  • LLS 473: Immigration, Health & Society

LLS Electives (6 hours)

Six hours of electives must be selected from the above categories and an approved course list maintained by the Latina/Latino Studies office and the LLS advisor.

Supporting Coursework (18 hours)

Eighteen hours of supporting coursework must be chosen in consultation with an advisor; may be a campus-approved minor.

Total Credit Hours (52 hours)

  • 28 hours Core Courses
  • 6 hours LLS Electives
  • 18 hours Supporting Coursework
  • 52 HOURS TOTAL

Note: Twelve hours of advanced (300- and 400-level) courses must be taken on this campus.

Body

Departmental Distinction

To be eligible for departmental distinction, a student must achieve at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major, and complete a senior honors thesis. Students graduating with at least a 3.5 GPA in the major will be awarded Distinction; those with at least a 3.7 GPA in the major will be given High Distinction.

Questions? Make an appointment with our advisor