II. Research Methods (3-5 units)

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Complete one course from the list below. Students who have taken LAS 4971 as an undergraduate must select an alternative course.

• ANTH 4800 - Ethnographic Research Methods [5]
• ANTH 5800 - Ethnographic Field School [4]
• CLS 4300 - Research on Chicana/o Community Problems [3]
• CLS 5030 - Seminar: Research Methods in Chicano Studies [3]
• EDFN 5050 - Seminar in Qualitative Research in Education [3]
• LAS 4971 - Interdisciplinary Research and Writing in Latin American Studies [3]
• SOC 5010 - Qualitative Research Methods in Sociology [3]
• WGSS 4000 - Knowledge, Power, and Research Justice in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies [3]

III. Seminars on Latin America (9 units)

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Select 3 seminars from at least two different disciplines:

• ANTH 5940 - Seminar: Problems in Anthropology [3]
• ART 5540 - Special Topics in Art [1-3]  **
• CLS 5010 - Chicana/o Studies and Contemporary Theory [3]
• CLS 5050 - Interdisiplinary Seminar in Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies [3]
• ECON 5600 - Seminar: Current Issues in Economic Development [3]
• ECON 5610 - Seminar: International Economics [3]
• HIST 5610 - History of Modern Latin America [3]
• HIST 5650 - Seminar: History of Mexico [3]
• LAS 5080 - Seminar: Latin American Social Systems [3]
• LAS 5900 - Interdisciplinary Seminar: Latin American Studies [3]  *
• MUS 5570 - Seminar: Afro-Latin Music [3]
• MUS 5580 - Histories and Literature of Afro-Latin Music [3]
• POLS 5310 - Seminar: Latin American Government [3]
• SPAN 5830 - Seminar: Contemporary Hispanic Prose [3]
• SPAN 5450 - Seminar: Contemporary Spanish-American Poetry After Ruben Dario [3]

• Note:

  * May be repeated for credit if topic different (up to 9 units)

  ** When topic is Latin America

   

   

Comprehensive Examination

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Comprehensive written examination about Latin America must be passed successfully in two fields approved by the graduate advisor or program director. Students should expect to take the comprehensive examination ( LAS 5960 ) no earlier than the semester they complete all course work on their program and must comply with college and program requirements. Students must submit a comprehensive examination form to the Director of Latin American Studies. Immediately following completion of the comprehensive examination, students must pass an oral examination conducted by a two member faculty committee.

Thesis or Project

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Instead of the comprehensive examination, students may choose to write an interdisciplinary thesis under the guidance of a three-member faculty committee selected in consultation with a thesis adviser. Students who make this choice must enroll in LAS 5990, for 3 units. An oral defense of the thesis is required. Instead of the comprehensive examination, students may choose to produce an interdisciplinary project and project report under the guidance of a three-member faculty committee selected in consultation with a project advisor, who will serve as chair of the committee. Students who choose the project must enroll in LAS 5995  for 3 units. All students must submit an electronic copy of the thesis or project report according to the university guidelines and deadlines as indicated on the Office of Graduate Studies Office website - http://www.calstatela.edu/graduatestudies Thesis Students will write their thesis under the guidance of a three-member faculty committee selected in consultation with a thesis adviser, who will serve as chair of the committee. The thesis will be a systematic study of a significant problem. It will identify the problem, state the major assumptions, explain the significance of the undertaking, set forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyze data, and offer a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product will evidence originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. An oral defense of the thesis will be required.   Project Students will develop their project under the guidance of a three-member faculty committee selected in consultation with a project advisor, who will serve as chair of the committee. It will be a significant undertaking (portfolio, exhibition, performance, documentary, or other format) appropriate to a relevant professional field or the fine and applied arts. It must have a specific focus, have appropriate form and organization, show a high level of original thought, and require in-depth research. Prior to the project’s undertaking, students will develop a project proposal with bibliography that specifies why the art form, media, or other chosen format is appropriate to the project’s goals, and how the project relates to the area of Latin American Studies. The final project must include a written report that states the project’s significance, objectives, methodology and conclusion(s), and addresses any changes from the initial proposal. It may also include visual documentation (CD, DVD, USB Flash drive).  An oral defense of the project will be required.