LLS Major

What is Latina/Latino Studies?

Latina/Latino Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study drawing upon the humanities and social sciences. With faculty expertise in the areas of anthropology, immigration, health and health disparities, social work, education, psychology, English and literature, gender and sexuality, comparative ethnic studies, advertising, cinema, and media studies, students are exposed to broad range of methodologies, theories, theoretical and applied research as it relates to understanding the intersectional experiences of Latinas/os with issues of class, race, gender, sexuality, and citizenship status.

Why major in Latina/Latino Studies?

The Undergraduate Major in Latina/Latino Studies explores the experiences and lives of Latina/os in the context of the United States. The major provides a broad and deep approach to theory, research, and multidisciplinary study of the Latina/o experience. Students majoring in Latina/Latino Studies receive excellent preparation for graduate study or careers in education, social and welfare policy, counseling, law, public policy, health care, advertising, journalism, and other fields that address Latino issues.

A large percentage of our courses are cross-listed with other academic units making it possible to fulfill the requirements of the Latina/Latino Studies major and pursue a second major in another discipline.

How do I become a major?

If interested in the LLS major, students should follow the requirements for the major listed below and consult with Alicia P. Rodriguez (aprodrig@illinois.edu), Latina/Latino Studies Academic Advisor. Students should also identify a faculty advisor to work with.

Requirements

Students must complete 34 hours of required and elective courses: 28 hours of core courses and 6 hours of electives, with at least 12 hours being at the 300-400 level. Also, students must complete an additional 18 hours of supporting coursework.

Latina/Latino Studies Major checklist

Core Courses (28 hours)

1. LLS 100: Intro Latina/Latino Studies (3 hours)
2. LLS 385: Theory and Methods in LLS (3 hours)
3. Students must take two courses in each of the three following areas (18 hours total)

   Literature, Media and Culture

   • LLS 240: Latina/o Cultural Expressions
   • LLS 242: Intro to Latina/o Literature
   • LLS 250: Latina/os on the Bronze Screen
   • LLS 259: Latina/o Cultures
   • LLS 301: 19th Century US Latina/o Lit-ACP
   • LLS 360: Contemporary US Latina/o Lit
   • LLS 375: Latina/o Media in the US
   • LLS 410: Writing Latina/o Chicago
   • LLS 435: Commodifying Difference
   • LLS 472: Border Latina, Latino Cultures

   Race, Gender, and Sexuality

   • LLS 215: US Citizenship Comparatively
   • LLS 320: Gender & Latina/o Migration
   • LLS 355: Race and Mixed Race
   • LLS 387: Race, Gender, and the Body
   • LLS 392: Chicanas&Latinas: Self&Society
   • LLS 442: US Latina Lit and Iconography
   • LLS 465: Race, Sex, and Deviance
   • LLS 479: Race, Medicine, and Society

   History, Politics, and Society

   • LLS 220: Mexican & Latin Am Migration
   • LLS 238: Latina/o Social Movements (formerly LLS 438)
   • LLS 278: Mapping Latina/o Inequalities
   • LLS 279: Mexican-American History
   • LLS 280: Caribbean Latina/o Migration
   • LLS 379: Latina/os and the City
   • LLS 473: Immigration, Health & Society
4. LLS 490: Senior Thesis or LLS 495: Senior Honors Thesis (4 hours)
   • LLS 490 senior thesis guidelines; LLS 495 senior honors thesis guidelines
   • LLS 490 senior thesis agreement form; LLS 495 senior honors thesis agreement form
   • Senior thesis submission guidelines
   • Citation formating resources from the University of Illinois Library
   • Citation format styles summary chart (MLA, APA, Chicago)

LLS Electives (6 hours)

Six hours of electives must be selected from the above categories and an approved course list maintained by the Latina/Latino Studies office and the LLS advisor.

Supporting Coursework (18 hours)

Eighteen hours of supporting coursework must be chosen in consultation with an advisor; may be a campus-approved minor.

Total Credit Hours

• 28 hours Core Courses
• 6 hours LLS Electives
• 18 hours Supporting Coursework
• 52 HOURS TOTAL

Note: Twelve hours of advanced (300- and 400-level) courses must be taken on this campus.

Departmental distinction

To be eligible for departmental distinction, a student must achieve at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, complete a senior honors thesis, and receive the approval of a departmental honors committee.

GPA Calculator — http://www.las.illinois.edu/students/standing/grades/

COMPASS 2G site for declared LLS majors and minors — https://compass2g.illinois.edu/