THE PROGRAM: LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN AREA STUDIES (LACAS)

The LACAS Mission

The purpose of the Binghamton University Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies (LACAS) Program is to further scholarship and education on Latin America and the Caribbean. We define this region broadly to include the Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Creole and Portuguese speaking countries of the Americas and the experiences of peoples of Latin American and Caribbean descent in the United States and Canada.

To realize this purpose the committee is dedicated to three goals:

promoting scholarship on, and scholarly exchange with, the region,
educating students and the general public on the region through teaching and educational exchanges, and
fostering the heritage, achievements, and accomplishments of peoples of Latin American and Caribbean descent in the United States and Canada. (From “The Principles of Operation of the Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies Program,” revised on April 30, 1993).

Undergraduate Programs

The Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Latin America, the Caribbean and peoples of Latin American and Caribbean descent in the United States. By combining interdisciplinary coursework with fieldwork in the United States, the Caribbean and/or Latin America, the program offers a wide range of educational possibilities to students seeking careers in teaching and research in these regions, or careers in international, social service, educational or political organizations engaged in promoting the economic, social and cultural life of the peoples of Latin America, the Caribbean and U.S. Latin@s. Students may complete their degrees through coursework and seek honors with study-abroad and independent-study options. LACAS is unique in its emphasis on supervising independent and socially relevant student research.

LACAS Major

The undergraduate Major in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies is a well-established program that began in 1973. To qualify for the major, students must:

Complete a minimum of 10 courses selected from among those parented by or cross-listed with LACAS; courses with content on U.S. Latin@s, the Caribbean and/or Latin America; or any other course approved by the LACAS Committee. The following requirements apply:
- At least one course in each of three separate departments and/or programs;
- Two of the following three courses: LACS 105, LACS 106, LACS 107. None of these can be taken for Pass/Fail;
- One course in library research (e.g., LACS 271) or research methodology, in which the major project focuses on Latin America and/or the Caribbean. The course cannot be taken for Pass/Fail;
- One literature course related to Latin America and/or the Caribbean;
- Five advanced courses (300 level or above), of which one must be 400 level (excluding LACS 491);
- No more than half of the courses may be taken outside Binghamton University;
- No more than one of the non-required courses can be taken for Pass/Fail.
Show a proficiency in a language relevant to the area of specialization (e.g., Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Creole, Dutch). The LACAS language requirement can be met through one or more of the following means:
- By taking an intermediate level course in a language relevant to the LACAS major (e.g., SPAN 211, SPAN 212, SPAN 215, SPAN 244, FREN 211, FREN 215).
- If a student has taken the Advanced Placement Test in High School in a language relevant to the LACAS major (e.g., Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Creole, Dutch).
- By taking the CLEP, or College Level Examination Program in a language relevant to the LACAS major (e.g., Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Creole, Dutch). (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html).
- Students who are native or heritage speakers in a language relevant to the LACAS major may request a waiver of the requirement from the program.

Students whose language of preference is not offered by the university or tested by the Advanced Placement Test in High School or CLEP will be formally evaluated by a professor appointed by the LACAS Director for that purpose.

LACAS Senior Thesis and Honors Program

To be eligible to earn honors in the Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies Program, a student majoring in LACAS must have:

a grade-point average of 3.5 or above in LACAS courses by the beginning of the first semester of their fourth year;
a 3.0 or above overall GPA by the beginning of the first semester of their fourth year; and
completed an independent study course (LACS 497) that results in a research paper that is judged to be of honors quality (grade of A), or earn honors in the Senior Thesis course (LACS 498). The work is evaluated by a committee designated by the LACAS Director.

Anyone interested in pursuing LACAS Honors should declare it by the end of the second semester of their junior year in order to allow for adequate planning of the independent research project. Contact the LACAS Director or Associate Director for more information

Fieldwork and LACAS' Senior Thesis and Honors Program

Students may pursue fieldwork research as part of their fulfillment towards the requirements for a LACAS Senior Thesis and Honors Thesis. The fieldwork can be carried out in one of the following: (a) Latin America; (b) the Caribbean; or (c) in Latin@/Chican@/Caribbean communities in Binghamton or other parts the United States.

For students interested in study abroad, LACAS maintains a research program in Latin America and recognizes SUNY study-abroad programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The fieldwork site would be chosen in consultation with the LACAS Director or Associate Director, and according to a research proposal developed by the student during the semester prior to their fieldwork but no later than the end of the second semester of their junior year.

All students pursuing fieldwork must take LACS 271 or a research methodology course (LACS 497, SOC 305 or similar) prior to beginning their study. In addition, they must meet the following course requirements depending on their chosen research site:

Students who undertake fieldwork locally must register for a minimum of eight (up to 12) independent study/field research credits with LACAS during the semester of research (LACS 496 and LACS 497).
Students conducting fieldwork elsewhere in the U.S. sign up for LACS 496 and LACS 497 and must be supervised by a LACAS affiliated faculty coordinator on site.
Students conducting fieldwork abroad register through the Office of International Programs for LACS 496 and LACS 497.

At the completion of their fieldwork, students register for LACS 498 (LACAS Senior Thesis). At that time, students write up the results of their fieldwork in a senior thesis. An A grade in the Senior Thesis would result in the student being granted Honors.

For more information contact the LACAS Director or Associate Director.

LACAS Minor

The Minor in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies is designed for undergraduates who wish to graduate with formal recognition for coursework in the field without undertaking all the requirements of a major. To qualify for the LACAS minor, a student must complete a minimum of six courses selected from among those: parented by/or crosslisted with LACAS; courses with content on U.S. Latin@s, the Caribbean and/or Latin America; or any other course approved by the LACAS Committee. The following stipulations apply:

at least one course must be a 300-level course (excluding LACS 395);
at least one other course must be a 400-level course (excluding LACS 491);
LACS 105. The course cannot be taken for Pass/Fail;
at least one of the following two courses: LACS 106, LACS 107. None of these can be taken for Pass/Fail;
only one of the non-required courses can be taken for Pass/Fail;
only one of the six courses can be LACS 395 or LACS 397.
no more than half the courses may be taken outside Binghamton.

Any student interested in pursuing a LACAS minor should meet with the LACAS Director or Associate Director to discuss the requirements and their plan of study.

LACAS Undergraduate Majors and Minors

Clarifications and Recommendations

Students interested in the major or minor should keep the following in mind:

The main difference between the major and the minor is that the major requires a minimum of 10 courses and the minor requires a minimum of six courses;
The Honors Program includes the design and execution of a research project that can include fieldwork abroad;
Depending on the nature of the courses, some courses taken in Latin American and/or Caribbean universities may be used to fulfill part of the requirements for the major or the minor;
It is strongly recommended (but not required) that students interested in the LACAS major combine that major with a major or minor in another department or program. This ensures further background in a related field;
In accordance with normal Harpur College policy, students may use the same course(s) to fulfill part of the course requirements for both their LACAS major and a second major. At least four of the courses for student’s LACAS minor must be in addition to those counted towards the student’s major.

Graduate Certificate Program

The LACAS interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies offers an opportunity for graduate students to receive special recognition for work in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies. The requirements of the program are above and beyond those of a specific department, although work in the program may usually be used to satisfy a number of departmental requirements. In general, it is expected that candidates for the certificate need not complete more than two or three courses beyond the number required by their department for the advanced degree.

Students who receive the graduate certificate in effect have two credentials: the MA or PhD in an established discipline and a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies. Admission to the program requires previous admission to a department of study and approval by the LACAS Director.

Certificate requirements

To qualify for a graduate certificate in Latin American and Caribbean area studies, students must:

be admitted to an existing degree program;
take a minimum of four courses directly relevant to Latin America and the Caribbean area in at least two departments for a total of 16 credit hours;
maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0;
take all courses used to complete the certificate with a normal grading option;show evidence of proficiency in a language relevant to the Latin America and Caribbean area other than English (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Creole, Dutch or another language where primary interests indicate a need). In practice, this level of proficiency includes a basic competence in reading, speaking and understanding the spoken language. Where necessary, the proficiency exams will be devised by a committee composed of LACAS professors.

Students can transfer graduate-level work from an accredited institution toward the completion of the Certificate. Transfer courses must have been taken not more than two years prior to admission to the certificate program. Only courses for "normal grading" will be accepted. The grade of transfer work must be B or better. Course credit for Pass or Satisfactory cannot be transferred.

Students who wish to transfer courses taken toward a degree in a BU school must have the written approval of the department offering the Certificate and the Graduate School.

Students who wish to enter the program must complete the online registration form available on the website of the Graduate School.

For more information contact the LACAS Director.