The Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program is one of the major U.S. centers for research about Latin America.
This major is for those who seek a multidisciplinary education on Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal. It offers a wide range of courses in fields such as anthropology, business, economics, geography, history, journalism, music, political science, sociology, and Spanish and Portuguese. Please note that we periodically offer two indigenous languages, Yucatec Maya or Quechua, as well.
The Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program, a regional center within the Institute for Regional and International Studies, supports and enhances international and global awareness for our students and inspires informed thinking about the complexities of our world. Students connect to international networks and our regional communities through lecture series, film screenings, outreach events, and activities. Students are encouraged to study abroad or do international internships, learn languages, and gain an interdisciplinary grounding in global and regional affairs. We also provide resources and expertise on our world area to other students and educators from kindergarten to graduate school, businesses, the media, the military, the community, and others.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | None |
| Other | None |
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | Complete either:
|
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Natural Science, Biological Science, or Physical Science designations, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Latin America (complete one course): | 3 | |
| Topics in Latin America: Introduction to Contemporary Issues | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| Colonial Latin America: Invasion to Independence | ||
| Latin America: An Introduction | ||
| The U.S. & Latin America from the Colonial Era to the Present: A Critical Survey | ||
| Breadth/Interdisciplinary Requirement (Complete one course from each of the following two sequences) | 6 | |
| Humanities/Education/Politics (Human-Centered) (Complete one course) | ||
| Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | ||
| The Caribbean and its Diasporas | ||
| Cut 'n' Mix: Music, Race, and Culture in the Caribbean | ||
| Mexican-American Politics | ||
| Latinas: Self Identity and Social Change | ||
| Race, Ethnicity, and Media | ||
| Survey of Latinx/e Popular Culture | ||
| Globalizing Education | ||
| Introduction to International Education Development | ||
| Globalization and Education | ||
| International Migration, Health, and Human Rights | ||
| Latinx Feminisms: Women's Lives, Work, and Activism | ||
| The Literature of Migration and the Migrant Experience in the Americas | ||
| Introduction to International Studies | ||
| From Fascism to Today: Social Movements and Politics in Europe | ||
| Social Movements and Revolutions in Latin America | ||
| Contentious Politics | ||
| Race and Culture in the Americas | ||
| Education across the Americas: Empire, Capitalism, and Resistance | ||
| Latin America Now: Democracy and Media in Latin America | ||
| Spanish Literary Masterpieces in Translation | ||
| Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | ||
| Mexican-American Politics | ||
| Social Movements and Revolutions in Latin America | ||
| Labor in the Americas: US & Mexico in Comparative & Historical Perspective | ||
| Latino History and Politics | ||
| Citizens of Photography | ||
| Race and Culture in the Americas | ||
| Border and Race Studies in Latin America | ||
| Topics in Latin American Performance/Visual Studies | ||
| Environment/Economy/Health/Agriculture (Environment and Economy) (Complete one course) | ||
| The International Agricultural Economy | ||
| World Hunger and Malnutrition | ||
| Globalization, Poverty and Development | ||
| The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy | ||
| Latin American Economic Development | ||
| Rainforests and Coral Reefs | ||
| Food, Culture, and Society | ||
| Forests of the World | ||
| Culture and the Environment in the Luso-Hispanic World | ||
| Conservation and Climate Change - Local to International Strategies | ||
| World Regions in Global Context | ||
| People, Wildlife and Landscapes | ||
| Disease, Medicine and Public Health in the History of Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| Climate Justice in Latin America | ||
| Labor in the Americas: US & Mexico in Comparative & Historical Perspective | ||
| Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies 1 | ||
| World Vegetable Crops | ||
| Tropical Horticultural Systems | ||
| Study Abroad: Tropical Horticultural Systems International Field Study | ||
| Introduction to Public Health | ||
| Food, Culture, and Society | ||
| Spanish for Pharmacy | ||
| Contemporary Mayas: A Culture of Nature | ||
| Depth/Interdisciplinary Requirement (Complete three courses) | 9 | |
| Contemporary African and Caribbean Drama | ||
| Economic Problems of Developing Areas | ||
| Music, Race, And Culture in Brazil | ||
| Elementary Quechua 2 | ||
| Elementary Quechua 2 | ||
| Intermediate Quechua 2 | ||
| Advanced Quechua 2 | ||
| First Semester Yucatec Maya 2 | ||
| Second Semester Yucatec Maya 2 | ||
| Primate Behavioral Ecology | ||
| Primate Conservation | ||
| Ethnobotany | ||
| Border and Migration Studies of Latinx America | ||
| Chicana/o and Latina/o History | ||
| Feminist Social Movements Across the Americas | ||
| Latinx/es and Media | ||
| Colony, Nation, and Minority: The Puerto Ricans' World | ||
| Ethnicity, Race, and Justice | ||
| Latino History and Politics | ||
| Immigration, Crime, and Enforcement | ||
| Sociodemographic Analysis of Mexican Migration | ||
| Border and Race Studies in Latin America | ||
| Latinx Digital Publics | ||
| Dimensions of Latin@ Mental Health Services | ||
| Esperanza Community-Engaged Research with Latines | ||
| Practicum in World Languages (K-12) | ||
| Internationalizing Educational Knowledge | ||
| Race, Intersectionality, and Equity in Education | ||
| Latin American Economic Development | ||
| Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Literatures | ||
| Postcolonial Theatre: Drama, Theory and Performance in the Global South | ||
| People, Wildlife and Landscapes | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| The Humid Tropics: Ecology, Subsistence, and Development | ||
| Latina/Latino/Latinx History | ||
| Colonial Latin America: Invasion to Independence | ||
| The Caribbean and its Diasporas | ||
| Labor in the Americas: US & Mexico in Comparative & Historical Perspective | ||
| Latino History and Politics | ||
| American Foreign Relations, 1901 to the Present | ||
| Colony, Nation, and Minority: The Puerto Ricans' World | ||
| Topics in Latin America: Intermediate Issues and Debates | ||
| Disease, Medicine and Public Health in the History of Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| The Literature of Migration and the Migrant Experience in the Americas | ||
| Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies 1 | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Directed Study | ||
| Contentious Politics | ||
| Sociology of Developing Societies/Third World | ||
| Language & Cultural Studies: Complete three courses. | 9 | |
| Elementary Quechua 3 | ||
| Elementary Quechua 3 | ||
| Intermediate Quechua 3 | ||
| Advanced Quechua 3 | ||
| First Semester Yucatec Maya 3 | ||
| Second Semester Yucatec Maya 3 | ||
| Third Semester Portuguese | ||
| Fourth Semester Portuguese | ||
| Introduction to Luso-Brazilian Literatures | ||
| Third Year Conversation and Composition | ||
| Third Year Conversation and Composition | ||
| Intensive Portuguese | ||
| Intensive Portuguese | ||
| Fourth Year Composition and Conversation | ||
| Fourth Year Composition and Conversation | ||
| Portuguese Civilization | ||
| Brazilian Civilization | ||
| Survey of Portuguese Literature before 1825 | ||
| Lusophone African Literature | ||
| Survey of Portuguese Literature since 1825 | ||
| Survey of Brazilian Literature since 1890 | ||
| Study Abroad in Portuguese Topics | ||
| Border and Migration Studies of Latinx America | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Literatures | ||
| Lying, Swearing, and Breaking the Rules: An Introduction to the Linguistic Study of Spanish | ||
| Intermediate Language Practice with Emphasis on Writing and Grammar | ||
| From Bad Bunny to Bad Hombres: The (Mis)representation and (In)visibility of Spanish in the US | ||
| The Beautiful Game: Cultural Politics of Soccer | ||
| Spanish Phonetics | ||
| The Structure of Modern Spanish | ||
| Advanced Medical Spanish | ||
| Spanish Applied Linguistics | ||
| Advanced Language Practice | ||
| Spanish for Nursing | ||
| Topics in Spanish Language Practice | ||
| Survey of Early Hispanic Literature | ||
| Survey of Modern Spanish Literature | ||
| Advanced Conversation | ||
| Survey of Spanish American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Spanish for Business | ||
| Spanish Business Area Studies | ||
| Spanish Civilization | ||
| Spanish American Civilization | ||
| Survey of Latinx/e Popular Culture | ||
| Literature of the Castilian Middle Age (XII-XV centuries) | ||
| Advanced Spanish Phonetics | ||
| Introduction to the Romance Languages | ||
| Spanish in the United States | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| Culture and the Environment in the Luso-Hispanic World | ||
| Topics in Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Literature of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries | ||
| Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Spanish American Literature | ||
| The Spanish American Short Story | ||
| Spanish American Poetry and Essay | ||
| US Latinx/e Literature | ||
| Topics in Hispanic Culture (The Beautiful Game, Human Rights: Argentina/Chile) | ||
| Topics in Latinx Culture | ||
| Undergraduate Seminars in Hispanic Literature/Culture/Linguistics | ||
| Hispanic Screen Studies | ||
| Study Abroad in Spanish Language Practice | ||
| Study Abroad in Spanish Linguistics | ||
| Study Abroad in Hispanic Literatures | ||
| Study Abroad in Hispanic Cultures | ||
| Latin American Rock Cultures | ||
| Latin American Literature and Human Rights | ||
| Race, Religion and Ethnicity in the Age of Empire | ||
| Old Spanish | ||
| LACIS Seminar (Complete one course) | 3 | |
| Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (Only topics offered for at least 3 credits may meet this requirement.) 1 | ||
| Topics in Latin America: Advanced Seminar on Contemporary Issues | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Residence and Quality of Work
- 2.000 GPA in all LACIS and major courses
- 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work (courses with intermediate or advanced designation) in the major, in residence
- 15 credits in LACIS, taken on the UW–Madison campus
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the LACIS undergraduate advisor.
Honors in the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Major Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.400 GPA for all major courses
- Complete 18 credits, taken for Honors, with individual grades of B or better, to include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LACIS Introductory Course, taken for Honors (Complete one course) | 3-4 | |
| Topics in Latin America: Introduction to Contemporary Issues | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| Colonial Latin America: Invasion to Independence | ||
| Latin America: An Introduction | ||
| The U.S. & Latin America from the Colonial Era to the Present: A Critical Survey | ||
| LACIS Seminar, taken for Honors (Complete one course) | 3-4 | |
| Topics in Latin America: Intermediate Issues and Debates | ||
| Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (Only courses that count for at least 3 credits will meet this requirement.) 1 | ||
| Topics in Latin America: Advanced Seminar on Contemporary Issues | ||
| A two-semester Senior Honors Thesis, taken for Honors (Complete both courses) | 6 | |
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Senior Honors Thesis | ||
| Additional LACIS courses taken for Honors to achieve 18 credits | ||
Footnotes
- 1
Can only meet requirements in multiple sections if the topic title is different
- 2
Only one Quechua or Yucatec Maya course may be used to meet this requirement (and may not meet both Depth/Interdisciplinary and Language & Cultural Studies requirement)
- 3
May meet either the Depth/Interdisciplinary or Language & Cultural Studies requirement, but not both.
Learning Outcomes
- (Interdisciplinarity) analyzing contemporary political, economic, and cultural realities in the LACIS regions from multi-disciplinary perspectives, ideally including humanities, social sciences and sometimes natural science approaches.
- (Depth of knowledge) mastering at the undergraduate expert level a particular disciplinary (e.g. history, anthropology etc.) or topical (e.g. poverty, gender, social justice etc.) theme in the LACIS regions by taking five courses in an area of concentration.
- (Historical and cultural grounding) understanding the historical, political, and cultural forces and conditions that have given rise to the unity and diversity in LACIS regions today.
- (Language knowledge) mastering at the undergraduate generalist level a particular facet of life in one or more LACIS regions by studying a foreign language to the advanced (3rd year) level and beyond.
- (Analytical skills) demonstrating the ability to think critically and analytically, the capacity to write clearly and effectively, and the ability to identify and evaluate research methods and outcomes.
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Introductory Course for the Major | 4 | Breadth/Interdisciplinary Course | 4 |
| Communication A | 4 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | Biological Science Breadth | 4 |
| SPANISH 101 | 4 | SPANISH 102 | 4 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
Breadth/Interdisciplinary Course | Communication B | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | Depth/Interdisciplinary Course | 3 |
| INTER-LS 210 | 1 | Physical Science Breadth | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 4 | SPANISH 204 | 4 |
| Science Breadth | 4 | ||
| SPANISH 203 | 4 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Recommend Study Abroad | Recommend Study Abroad and Apply for Summer Internship | ||
| Depth/Interdisciplinary Course | 3 | Depth/Interdisciplinary Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Spanish, Portuguese, Yucatec Maya, or Quechua language course | 4 |
| Science Breadth | 4 | I/A Level Comp Sci, Math, or Stat (if BS) | 3 |
| Spanish, Portuguese, Yucatec Maya, or Quechua language course | 4 | Electives | 6 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Spanish, Portuguese, Yucatec Maya, or Quechua language course | 4 | Electives | 12 |
| I/A Level Comp Sci, Math, or Stat (if BS) | 4 | LACIS Seminar Course | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or Cancel The Major
Please follow the process described on the LACIS website.
Students should contact the LACIS undergraduate advisor with help choosing courses in the major requirements.
Students interested in international internships should contact the International Internships Program office.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Resources and Scholarships
Undergraduate students (from any major or discipline) are encouraged to explore funding options available HERE.