Information and Policies
Introduction
A combined degree in Latin American and Latino studies (LALS) and sociology allows students to focus on the methods and theories of the discipline of sociology within the broader interdisciplinary perspective of LALS.
Academic Advising for the Program
LALS Undergraduate Advising
32 Merrill Academic Building
(831) 459-2119
lalsadvising@ucsc.edu
Sociology Undergraduate Advising
Rachel Carson College Rm 224/226
831-459-4497
socy@ucsc.edu
Advising for the combined major in LALS and sociology is available from both advising offices, though the major is housed in the LALS Department.
Getting Started in the Major
Students interested in the combined major in LALS and sociology are encouraged to enroll in LALS 1, and the two required lower-division sociology courses, chosen from SOCY 1, SOCY 10, or SOCY 15, at their earliest opportunity.
Program Learning Outcomes
LALS Program Learning Outcomes:
We expect that all graduating LALS seniors will have gained proficiency or competency in the following five areas: critical thinking, research methods, communication, language, and lifelong learning skills.
- Critical Thinking. Ability to analyze from a transnational/transborder/translocal perspective—to see the interconnections between Latin American and Latino issues, people, ideas, problems and solutions. This includes key skills, such as understanding sources, comparing arguments, analysis, and historical perspective.
- Research Methods. Working knowledge of social scientific and/or humanistic approaches to LALS relevant topics. This includes acquiring qualitative and quantitative skills, gathering or obtaining research data, finding/using primary sources, and other research methods.
- Communication. Key communication skills, including written, oral presentation, and digital, including an understanding of media sources and ability to apply media literacy to cross-cultural analysis.
- Language. Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese, in addition to English.
- Lifelong Learning Skills. Acquisition of practical hands-on skills in community engagement, cross-cultural fluency, familiarity with Latin America, and familiarity with Latino experience acquired through experiential learning while working with community and civic organizations.
Sociology Program Learning Outcomes:
Students graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology will:
Demonstrate critical thinking and critical citizenship skills intended to promote social justice through the ability to analyze and evaluate social, political, and/or cultural arguments.
Demonstrate sociological understandings of phenomena, for example, how individual biographies are shaped by social structures, social institutions, cultural practices, and multiple axes of difference and/or inequality.
Formulate effective and convincing written and/or oral arguments.
Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to use, several of the major classical and/or contemporary perspectives in social theory.
Demonstrate an understanding of several of the major social science research methodologies.
Demonstrate knowledge of some of the key substantive areas within the field of sociology.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Students must complete the lower-division sociology courses (two chosen from SOCY 1, SOCY 10, or SOCY 15) and LALS 1 with grades of C or better or Pass, and both departments must approve a study plan before the major can be declared.
Students should submit a petition to declare as soon as they complete the required courses or reach their declaration deadline quarter, whichever comes first.
Students petitioning when the campus declaration deadline is imminent (i.e., in their sixth quarter, for students admitted as frosh), will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g., completion of some courses with certain grades) that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter, even if they have not completed major qualification courses.
| LALS 1 | Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies | 5 |
Plus two courses chosen from:
| SOCY 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY 10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY 15 | World Society | 5 |
Appeal Process
Students who did not satisfy the major declaration requirement but believe there are extenuating circumstances may file a written appeal. Appeals should be submitted to undergraduate advising by emailing: lalsadvising@ucsc.edu. Students must file the appeal within 15 days of denial of major declaration. The department will notify the student and college of the decision within 15 days of the receipt of the appeal.
How to Declare a Major
Students may declare online, via the form on the LALS department website, or in person, in the LALS Advising Office in Merrill Academic Building.
Transfer Information and Policy
Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students interested in transferring in to UCSC as a combined LALS and sociology majors are encouraged to enroll in courses related to both disciplines prior to transfer. Visit Assist.org to review transfer articulations.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students must complete LALS 1 and two courses chosen from SOCY 1, SOCY 10, or SOCY 15 (or equivalent transfer credit) to declare the combined major in LALS and sociology. LALS 1 is offered in fall and winter quarters and during summer session. To make timely progress in the major, transfer students entering in the fall quarter should enroll in LALS 100: Concepts and Theories in Latin American and Latino Studies; students entering in winter quarter should seek a permission number to enroll in LALS 100A: Social Science Analytics. Sociology course enrollment will be determined by the Sociology Department based on transfer coursework.
Letter Grade Policy
The program does not have a letter grade policy. Major requirements will be met with grades of C or better or Pass, within the parameters of the UC Santa Cruz Pass/No Pass grading policy.
Honors
For combined majors, academic performance must meet the criteria in both departments to be awarded honors. Honors can only be conferred if both departments agree.
The LALS faculty considers awarding honors in the major based on overall student academic performance in courses that count toward the major. To receive the strongest consideration for honors in the major, the following grade point average (GPA) criteria must be met: highest honors, 4.0; honors, 3.7. Students with a 3.5–3.7 GPA in the major will also be considered, and a decision is made based on their grades in core courses and improvement over time.
In addition to honors in the major, LALS may award honors for a thesis by the recommendation of the faculty advisors in both LALS and sociology.
For sociology, honors are awarded based on the student’s cumulative GPA for all courses taken at UC Santa Cruz to satisfy the program’s major requirements, excluding the comprehensive requirement. Students with a GPA of 3.75 or above will be considered for honors in the major. Students with a GPA of 3.9 or above will be considered for highest honors in the major. No more than approximately 15 percent of the graduating class will be considered for honors or highest honors in the major. Comprehensive honors is awarded to students who complete the senior thesis option, and their faculty thesis sponsor and one additional reader evaluate the thesis to be of honors quality.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
A total of 12 courses is required for the LALS and sociology combined B.A, in addition to any language preparation needed.
Lower-Division Requirements
Students must complete three courses: one LALS and two sociology, or their articulated equivalents.
| LALS 1 | Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies | 5 |
And select two from the following three options:
| SOCY 1 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| SOCY 10 | Issues and Problems in American Society | 5 |
| SOCY 15 | World Society | 5 |
Language Preparation
In preparation for completing academic work in Spanish or Portuguese, students are expected to become proficient in either or both languages. Students may need to complete language-instruction courses (through SPAN 6 or SPHS 6 or PORT 65B) to be ready to take courses in Spanish or Portuguese.
Spanish Placement: take the online assessment; if you are a fluent heritage speaker, see the guidelines for self-placement.
Portuguese Placement: enroll in PORT 1, Intro to Portuguese, or for enrollment in a more advanced level see the placement guidelines.
We want to emphasize that students are not required to take language instruction courses. Students are responsible for placing themselves in LALS courses taught in Spanish and Portuguese. Other departments on campus may use language placement prerequisites for their courses, which you can review in the catalog or in the searchable schedule of classes.
Contact the LALS undergraduate program coordinator for more information.
Upper-Division Requirements
Upper-division core courses:
Upper-division elective courses:
Four additional upper-division electives are required, two from sociology and two from LALS. LALS and sociology combined majors must take at least one course taught in Spanish or Portuguese.
One LALS elective may be satisfied by completing a senior seminar (LALS 194 series).
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy a disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement for the LALS and sociology combined B.A. is met by completing:
Comprehensive Requirement
Each student must complete a senior comprehensive requirement to graduate. The requirement is fulfilled by one of the following options:
- Passing a Latin American and Latino studies senior seminar (LALS 194 series). In these courses, students must write at least 30 pages cumulatively during the quarter. The final paper must be based on independent scholarly research, demonstrate advanced skills in critical analysis, and have undergone revisions. Senior standing and completion of LALS 100A and LALS 100B are required before taking a LALS 194 course for fulfillment of the senior exit requirement
- A senior thesis, generally between 40–60 pages, planned in consultation with an adviser from each department, completed under the supervision of a faculty member from either department, and read and approved by both advisers; one adviser is sufficient if this faculty member is affiliated with both departments. This option is recommended for those students seeking to enter graduate school.
Planners
Recommended academic plan for students starting as freshmen who place in to SPAN 1 on the language placement exam. Portuguese language track in parentheses for students who choose this option.
Sample Four-Year Planner for Frosh
*Course satisfies the ER general education requirement.
Sample Two-Year Planner for Transfer Students
Recommended academic plan for students starting as juniors, who have completed their lower-division SOCY courses prior to transfer, and who place into SPAN 4 on the language placement exam.
*Course satisfies the ER general education requirement.
Sample Two-Year Planner for Transfer Students Planning to Study Abroad
Recommended academic plan for students starting as juniors who want to study abroad, who have completed their lower-division SOCY courses prior to transfer, and who place into SPAN 4 on the language placement exam.
*Course satisfies the ER general education requirement.