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George Mason University
2002-03 University Catalog

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Interdisciplinary Minors

Study of the Americas

Faculty

Albanese, Berroa, Bergmann, Beyer, Black, L.A. Brown, Brunette, Burr, J.R. Censer, J.T. Censer, Cheng, K. Clark, R. Clark, Cohen, Dennis, Dumont, ffolliott, Forche, Foreman, Francescato, Fuchs, Gilbert, Giles, Gortner, Hammond, Harsh, Henry, Hodges, Horton, Irvine, Irving, Jacobs, Karuch, Kelso, Klappert, Knight, Kuebrich, Lancaster, Lankford, Lavine, Levine, Lipset, Lont, Mellander, Meyer, Mobley, Nadeau, O'Connor, O'Malley, Palkovich, Pfiffner, Rabin (coordinator), Rader, Ricouart, Rosenblum, Rosenzweig, Ruth, Seligmann, P. Smith, S. Smith, Stewart, Taylor, Todd, Travis, Walker, Warner, Wilkins, Yocom, Zagarri

Course Work

The Study of the Americas program offers all course work designated STAM in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.

Requirements for the Minor in Latin American Studies

Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits distributed as follows.

1. 1 required course (3 credits) chosen from

    • GOVT 331 Government and Politics of Latin America
    • HIST 271 or 272 Survey of Latin-American History

2. 3 elective courses (9 credits) from three different disciplines to be chosen from anthropology, dance, economics, folklore, Francophone Caribbean literature (in French or English), geography, government, history, Latin American literature and culture (in Spanish or English)

3. 6 elective credits to be chosen in consultation with the coordinator

Students receiving a minor in Latin American studies must also demonstrate reading, speaking, or writing knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or French by examination or by achieving a minimum grade of 2.00 in a 300-level course in the language selected. Those students taking an upper-level Francophone Caribbean or Latin American literature or culture course in the target language that is relevant to Latin American studies may use it to fulfill 3 credits of the requirements for the minor.

Requirements for the Minor in North American Studies

1. 1 required course (3 credits):

    • STAM 410 Senior Seminar in the Study of the Americas

2. 5 elective courses (15 credits) in the region of emphasis chosen in consultation with the program coordinator

An emphasis on French-speaking Canada requires proficiency in French as demonstrated through either a proficiency exam or the successful completion of a 300-level language course (which may count toward the fulfillment of the 18-credit minimum for the minor).

Internships

Internships are possible with the U.S. Congress and with local governments, community organizations, environmental organizations, foundations, nongovernmental agencies, human rights organizations, international business organizations, labor unions, legal organizations, libraries, media organizations, museums, political parties, public interest organizations, publications, and religious organizations.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to spend a semester abroad, especially if the region of emphasis is French Canada or Latin America. The Center for Global Education provides opportunities for study abroad in a wide range of countries. These affordable programs sharpen language skills and give students a first-hand experience with a different culture.