Latin American Studies
In this program you’ll study the area of México to Tierra del Fuego. You can take courses in:
- Spanish language
- Portuguese language
- history
- culture
- literature
Potential careers
What can you do with a Latin American studies degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- communications coordinator
- cultural programs coordinator
- internal project coordinator
- immigration officer
- intelligence officer
- curator
- program manager
- social media manager
- human resources coordinator
- policy analyst
- translator
- interpreter
- youth outreach worker
- trade officer
- territorial sales
- teacher or instructor
- entrepreneur
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the Latin American studies program
With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to Latin American Studies:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the Latin American studies program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Field school
ANTH 393 - Selected Problems in Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 395 - Selected Problems in Anthropology: Method and Theory
(variable course topics and potential for international experience)
Gain practical field experience when these courses are offered as a field school
Research project
LAS 400 - Special Topics in Latin American Studies (in English)
Explore interdisciplinary perspectives by focusing on a topic of interest
LAS 499 - Honours Graduating Essay
Research, write and orally defend a graduating honours essay
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the Latin American studies program.
Spanish language
- read and write in Spanish
- speak in Spanish
- use appropriate Spanish grammar, syntax, pronunciation and vocabulary
- prepare and deliver presentations in Spanish
- understand the diversity and global dispersion of contemporary varieties of Spanish
Literature in Latin America
- be familiar with Latin American literature from the sixteenth century to the present
- understand the literary traditions, genres and styles in Latin America
- understand Latin American literary history and literary movements
Literary interpretation
- critically read works of literature and describe how literary texts generate meaning
- understand major issues in literary criticism
- read literature in relation to literary theory
- use close reading skills and literary terminology
- identify the critical questions to be asked of a body of material
Historical, social and cultural perspective
- identify the historical, social and cultural contexts in which a text is produced
- understand how historical, social and cultural contexts impact literary texts
- explore historical, social and cultural perspectives with intellectual curiosity
- consider nationalism, imperialism, militarism and politics in the context of literature
- consider religion, ethnicity, race, gender and class in the context of literature