The undergraduate major in Latin American and Border Studies allows students to gain comprehensive knowledge of either the US-Mexico Border or Latin America more generally, combining integrative, interdisciplinary knowledge with discipline-specific knowledge and skills. Its most general goals for student learning are for its graduates to: Know the basic characteristics of the US-Mexico Border or Latin America Apply the concepts and skills of at least one academic discipline to the Border or Latin America Apply essential concepts and issues of the US-Mexico Border to other border situations      These objectives are realized through the major and minor programs in LABS which require a set of core courses in specific areas and a disciplinary focus.  Latin America Focus          Core Courses:      6 hrs (LABS 2330, LABS 3300)          Literature:           3 hrs (SPAN 3304 or SPAN 4360)          History:               3 hrs (HIST 3346 or HIST 3347 or HIST 3349)          Political Science:  3 hrs (POLS 4335 or POLS 4336 or POLS 4337)          Philosophy:          3 hrs (SPAN 3330 or PHIL 3312)          Specialization:     12 hrs of Latin America courses in any discipline Border Focus           Core Courses:      6 hrs (LABS 2330, LABS 3300)           Literature:            3 hrs (ENGL 3310)           History:                3 hrs (HIST 3325 or HIST 3317 or HIST 3328)           Political Science:   3 hrs (POLS 4313 or POLS 4315 or POLS 3314)           Culture:               3 hrs (SPAN 3325 or CHIC 3303)           Specialization:      12 hrs of Border courses in any discipline The three LABS courses are:      LABS 2330 The Border (3-0) A multidisciplinary exploration of US-Mexico border issues from the varied and sometimes contentious perspectives of participants/observers on both sides. Students will examine local and non-local perceptions to understand the border as fact and metaphor. Emphasis on appreciating the fragile and complex systems of the border: ethnic, social, cultural, historical, economic, linguistic, legal, and others.      LABS 3300 The Americas (3-0) This course treats selected modern themes as manifested in the Americas, including population movements, the arts, economic change, identity, socio-political structures and events, health, the environment, international relations, borders, and technology. Consideration of each theme includes a discussion of its dynamic historical development and a team-taught, interdisciplinary perspective. Prerequisite: Junior standing.     4301 Topics in Latin American and Border Studies (3-0) Selected topics in Latin American, Inter-American, or Border Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Prerequisites: Junior standing and department approval.   For a basic list of additional courses in other departments, click here.   Minor in Latin American/Border Studies The minor in Latin American/Border Studies is structured to serve as a complement for the widest possible variety of major fields and thus prepare students for careers in business, industry, government, education, public service, research, law, health, as well as the demands of citizenship in a complex, inter-related world. The minor includes courses that are broadly integrating and problem-based as well as courses that are more narrowly focused. It is envisioned as a means for integrating the specialized majors with a cross-disciplinary and international context.   The 18-hour minor in LABS may be combined with any major. It includes the following requirements:      3 hours, SPAN 2302, SPAN 2304. This requirement may be waived upon successful completion of an approved     competency examination.      LABS 3300 The Americas   12 hours of electives in courses of Latin American or Border content, selected with the approval of the Latin     American/Border Studies Advisor. These electives are designed to provide appropriate complements to the     student’s major, thereby adding the perspectives of disciplinary breadth and a Latin American/Border perspective. For courses offered in the current semester, click here.