Program: Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies, BA - Binghamton University

Mar 13, 2025

2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACAS) major offers an interdisciplinary and transnational approach to the study of Latin America, the Caribbean and peoples of Latin American and Caribbean descent. LACAS majors learn methodologies and theoretical perspectives for studying historical processes, cultural dynamics and social and economic problems across the Americas. LACAS majors build skills in research, critical thinking, and effective communication.

It is 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.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

Students take a minimum of 10 courses selected from course: those parented by or cross-listed with LACAS; courses with content on U.S. Latinx, the Caribbean and/or Latin America; or any other course approved by the LACAS Committee.

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the LACAS major:

At least one course in each of three separate departments
Choose two of the following courses:
- LACS 200
- LACS 210
- LACS 202
One course in research methodology (LACS 271) in which the major project focuses on Latin America, Latinx, and/or the Caribbean
One literature course related to Latin America, Latinx and/or the Caribbean
Five advanced courses (300-level or above), of which one must be 400-level
Show a proficiency in a language relevant to the area of specialization. The following languages fulfill this requirement: Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Creole(s), Dutch. Indigenous languages can also satisfy this requirement.

Additional Information About the Program

None of the courses required for the major may be taken Pass/Fail. No more than one of the non-required courses can be taken Pass/Fail.

The LACAS language requirement can be met through one or more of the following means:

If a student has taken 4 years of High School Spanish and/or French, the language requirement would be waived as long as they have recieved a grade of 85 or better in the fourth unit.
By taking an intermediate-level course in a language relevant to the LACAS major.
If a student has taken the Advanced Placement Test with a score of 3 or better or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) in high school in a language relevant to the LACAS major (e.g. Spanish, French).
Obtaining a score of 4-7 on IB Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) exams.
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.

NOTE: Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

Residency Requirement: No more than half of the courses taken to fulfill the major may be taken outside Binghamton University.

For more information on the LACAS BA program, please refer to the LACAS website. To apply to the LACAS BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.

Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies, BA