Are you interested in learning more about Latin America?
The Latin American Studies Certificate is an invitation to study the histories, arts, literatures, philosophies, politics, and communications of this dynamic region with the world-class faculty of CLAS. We follow a multidisciplinary model, allowing you to explore our courses in History, Geography, Spanish, Ethnic Studies, Philosophy, Anthropology, and Political Science. This wide range of disciplines allows you to chart your own path and to study Latin America in its own terms: come learn about Indigenous cultures, colonization, the works of García Márquez, liberation movements, dialogues between European and Indigenous philosophies, Afro-Latin American religiosity, twentieth-century revolutions, US-Latin American relations, cuisines and their cultural meanings, and much more.
Our certificate has just twelve credits, it allows for double-dipping, and it has a bilingual option. This means that many of our majors and core courses in CLAS also count towards this certificate. Our certificate is easy to complete. Choose your courses from the two menus below: a short list of Core courses that study the region as a whole, and a longer list of electives that focus on specific aspects of the region. Just make sure you that your courses cover at least two disciplines (course prefixes like HIST, GEOG, SPAN, PHIL, etc).
Who is this for?
Anyone interested in developing a greater understanding of Latin America and its relations to the rest of the world. Maybe you have taken Spanish language courses and want to gain a greater cultural context; or conversely, you have familiarity with Spanish and have always wanted to use your skills to deepen your understanding. Or perhaps you are interested in what the voices, experiences, and lessons that this region offers for understanding the world. The certificate caters to all of these paths.
This deeper understanding of the region gives you the cultural context for a wide range of careers in international affairs, business, government service, international and community organizations, journalism, education, arts and culture, and much more. The certificate is also designed to connect with your major.
¡El certificado también es bilingüe! Los cursos de literatura latinoamericana se dan en español, y los cursos de historia te permitirán investigar y escribir en español.
Questions? Interested in Applying?
Contact Dr. Ryan Crewe at ryan.crewe@ucdenver.edu and indicate your student ID number, major(s), and expected graduation. Or drop by Dr. Crewe’s office in Student Commons 3114 during office hours published on the History Department website.
Certificate Requirements
= 12 credit hours (4 courses).
= Take two courses (6 credits) in the list of Core Courses, which examine Latin America on a regional/hemispheric scale.
= Take two courses from the Electives list (6 credits).
- Make sure you take courses with at least two course prefixes (ie, courses in at least two disciplines).
*Core Courses: 6 credits. Take two of the following courses:
Take one of these three courses:
HIST 3350 – Colonial Latin America (Fall semesters every other year)
HIST 3460 – Modern Latin America (Fall semesters every other year)
SPAN 3213 - Contemporary Latin American Culture and Institutions (every Spring)
Select your second Core course from the courses above or below on this list:
GEOG 3130 - Central America and the Caribbean
GEOG 3140 - Geography of South America
PHIL 4340 - Latin American Philosophy
Electives: 6 credits. Take any two of the following courses. Any course listed above as a core course can be taken as an elective.
ANTH 4320 - Archaeology of Mexico and Central America
COMM 4710/6710 – Communicating Latina/o/x Cultures
EDFN 3000 - Undocumented Mexican Immigration
ETST 3110 - Indigenous Studies
ETST 3129 – Contemporary Latin American Literature
ETST 3155 - The African Diaspora
ETST/RLST 3300 - Shamanic Traditions
FINE 4610 - Pre-Columbian Art
GEOG 3130 - Central America and the Caribbean
GEOG 3140 - Geography of South America
HIST 3350 – Colonial Latin America
HIST 3460 – Modern Latin America
HIST 4411 – Modern Mexico
HIST 4412 – Mexico and the US: People and Politics on the Border
HIST 4415 – Social Revolutions in Latin America
PHIL 4340 - Latin American Philosophy
PSCI 4146 - Indigenous Politics
PSCI 4446 - Advanced Indigenous Peoples’ Politics
SPAN 3213 - Contemporary Latin American Culture and Institutions
SPAN 3225 - Special Topics In Hispanic Culture
SPAN 3230 - Ibero-American Cultures through Film
SPAN 3240 - Food Metaphors: Ibero-American Cuisine and Culture
SPAN 4060 - Dialects of the Spanish-speaking world
SPAN 4411 - Contemporary Spanish-American Novel
SPAN 4450 - Masterpieces of Spanish-American Literature
SPAN 4501 - Borges: An Introduction to His Labyrinths
SPAN 4512 - Contemporary Argentine Short Stories
SPAN 4521 - Mexican Literature I: pre-Columbian and Colonial
SPAN 4522 - Mexican Literature II: 19th to 21st Centuries
SPAN 4541 - Unexpected Lives: Ibero-American Queer Cinema
SPAN 4550 - Garcia Marquez: Words of Magic
SPAN 4590 - Ibero-American Thought
SPAN 4599 - Special Topics: Latin American Literature