Latin American Studies for Technical Applications Minor

The minor in Latin American Studies for Technical Applications is an interdisciplinary minor that allows students to develop deeper understanding of the cultures and languages of Latin America while simultaneously honing and implementing the technical skills they are acquiring in the courses needed for their majors.  This minor aims to include students of all levels of Spanish language, including heritage and native speakers.

The minor requires 12 credit hours from an approved list of courses and at least two weeks (14 days) of experience in a Latin American country as part of an S&T-approved program. The lists for Areas 2 and 3 will grow as other faculty on campus develop courses as part of the minor. The minor also aims for breadth of knowledge. Therefore, courses from one area cannot count twice.

Area 1: Spanish Proficiency. To fulfill this, students must complete 6 hours of Spanish at the level of 1180 (Intermediate Spanish) or above. Courses that count towards this area include:
· SPAN 1180 Intermediate Spanish (4)
· SPAN 2000 Special Problems (0-6)
· SPAN 2001 Special Topics (3)
· SPAN 2110 Basic Spanish Conversation (2)
· SPAN 2160 Hispanic Culture (3)
· SPAN 2161 Contemporary Latin America (3)
· SPAN 2170 Masterpieces of Hispanic Literature (3)
· SPAN 2180 Intermediate Spanish Composition (3)
· SPAN 3000 Special Problems (0-6)
· SPAN 3001 Special Topics (3)
· SPAN 3100 Spanish Translation for Technical Applications
· SPAN 4000 Special Problems (0-6)
· SPAN 4001 Special Topics (3)
· SPAN 4302 Phonetics and Phonology of Spanish (3)

· SPAN 4311 Advanced Spanish Conversation (2)
· SPAN 4370 Survey of Spanish Literature (3)
· SPAN 4377 Spanish-American Novel and Short Story (3)

Area 2: Technical Applications in Latin America. Students must take one of the following courses, for a total of 3 credits. Other courses will be added to Area 2 as they are developed.
• GEO ENG 5092 International Engineering and Design
• GEO ENG 2407 Geology and Engineering of Ancient and Modern Peru
• SPAN 3100 Spanish Translation for Technical Applications
• SP&MS 3235 Intercultural Communication, when the course is focused on Latin America

• GEO ENG 5556 Renewable Energy Systems, when the course is focused on Latin America
• CHEM ENG 5001 Special Topics (TBD)

Area 3: General Latin American Studies. Students must take one of the following, for a total of 3 credits. Other courses will be added to Area 3 as they are developed.
• ENGLISH 3001 / TCH COM 3001 Special Topics (Costa Rica in Text) (3)
• HIST 3001 Special Topics (History of Science & Technology in Latin America) (3)
• SPAN 2160 Hispanic Culture (3)
• SPAN 2161 Contemporary Latin America (3)

Area 4: Experience abroad in Latin America. Students must spend at least 14 days in a Latin American country as part of an S&T-approved program, such as faculty-led study abroad, a semester- or year-long program at partner institutions, an internship, or EWB. This may be fulfilled via multiple trips to multiple locations within Latin America.