Global and Regional Studies: Latin America Concentration, BA

Global and Regional Studies: Latin America Concentration, BA

The Latin America Concentration is a multidisciplinary program that supplies students with the skills and knowledge base to tackle challenges and make connections in the region of their interest. 

Our seasoned, approachable faculty will guide you through a diverse set of global topics, including world history, macroeconomics, cultural geography, and world politics, with an emphasis on the culture and customs of Latin America. From there, you have the opportunity to craft your educational trajectory, with multiple study abroad opportunities, a required minor in the subject of your choice, and course offerings in everything from archaeology to literature. Your studies will culminate with an original contribution to the field of Global Studies research. 

You will leave this program with greater language proficiency, cultural literacy, and communication and critical thinking skills, all valuable assets in any future career.

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Learn More About Our Program

Get to know our well-respected faculty and their academic specialties. Or explore scholarship opportunities and an array of study abroad possibilities.

Global and Regional Studies Curriculum

Global and Regional Studies: Latin America Concentration, BA

BA

Learning Outcomes

  • PLO 1: Define their place as citizens in global society.
  • PLO 2: Understanding of the political, economic, cultural interconnectedness that constitutes our world today.
  • PLO 3: Ability to communicate at a basic functional level of proficiency in a language, other than English, specific to the geographical region of study.
  • PLO 4: Ability to analyze specific social aspects of a geographical region employing in a competent and creative way the appropriate conceptual and theoretical tools of the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, history, literature and art, and politics.
  • PLO 5: Ability to investigate the increasing interdependent nature and complexity of cultural, economic, environmental, political, and social processes that constitute the global experience, and to examine those processes from a global justice perspective.

Requirements

Language Study

The interdisciplinary and language courses taken by students will prepare them for critically engaged learning experience.

  • Intermediate French (4 units)
  • Intermediate Italian (4 units)
  • Intermediate Japanese (4 units)
  • Intermediate Spanish (4 units)

Lower Division

The following lower-division course is required for all GRS majors

  • Intro:Global&Regional Studies (4 units)

Lower Division Elective

Take two from the following lower division courses:

  • Intro to Social & Cultrl Anth (4 units)
  • Macroeconomic Principles (4 units)
  • Global History to 1500 (4 units)
  • Global History Since 1500 (4 units)
  • Intro to Comparative Politics (4 units)

Upper Division

All GRS majors take the following UD courses:

  • Cultural Geography&Glbl Soc (4 units)
  • Interdisciplinary Issues GS (3 units)
  • Glbl Perspectives on Lit & Art (3 units)
  • Senior Research Capstone (4 units)

Anthropology

  • World Cultures: C America (4 units)
  • World Cultures: S America (4 units)

History

  • Environment in Latin Am Hist (3 units)
  • Explorations in Latin Amer His (3 units)
  • Sp Top in Latin American Hist (4 units)
  • Women in Lat Am History (4 units)
  • Revolutions in Latin America (4 units)
  • African Diaspora in Lat Am (4 units)
  • Drugs in Latin American Hist (4 units)

Literature and Art

  • Culture & Civilization: Spain (3 units)
  • Culture & Civilization: Lat Am (3 units)
  • Latin American Literature I (4 units)
  • Latin American Literature II (4 units)
  • Contemp Latin American Lit (4 units)
  • 20th Century Mexican Literatur (4 units)

Politics

  • Latin American Politics (4 units)

Earn an Global and Regional Studies: Latin America, BA and a Single-Subject Teaching Credential at Saint Mary's in just four years through our Single Subject Teaching Credential Integrated Pathway!

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  • Intro:Global&Regional Studies (4 units)
  • Human Geography (3 units)
  • GRS Elective (1-5 units)
  • Cultural Geography&Glbl Soc (4 units)
  • Interdisciplinary Issues GS (3 units)
  • Glbl Perspectives on Lit & Art (3 units)
  • GRS UD Elective (1-5 units)
  • Internships for Social Justice (1-4 units)
  • Internships for Social Justice (1-4 units)
  • Senior Research Capstone (4 units)
  • Independent Study (1-4 units)

What can you do with a degree in Global & Regional Studies: Latin America?

Grounded expertise in Latin American languages equips you for diplomacy, international development, private-sector market roles, and NGO advocacy. 
(*Some positions may require certification or graduate study).

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students walking together and talking on campus

Foreign Service / Diplomatic Officer (Entry-Level)
Contribute to political and economic reporting, cultural outreach, and policy briefs on Latin American affairs

International Development Project Coordinator
Oversee grants, partner logistics, and monitoring & evaluation for health, education, or climate programs in the region

Latin America Trade Compliance / Market Entry Analyst
Navigate tariffs, customs, and regulatory risk to support cross-border expansion and supply chains

Human Rights / Policy Analyst
Synthesize research on governance, migration, or civil society and draft actionable memos for stakeholders

Risk & Intelligence Analyst (OSINT)
Track security, regulatory, and geopolitical signals to inform corporate or NGO decision-making in the Americas

CSR / ESG & Responsible Sourcing Analyst
Collect impact data, engage suppliers, and align reporting to frameworks while advancing ethical sourcing goals

Localization & Communications Specialist
Adapt content for regional audiences, coordinate translators, and maintain terminology quality control

Study Abroad & International Education Advisor
Place students in Latin America programs, manage visas and safety protocols, and deliver intercultural preparation

Saint Mary's Testimonials

“The education I received from St. Mary’s has helped me enormously. I would not have this job without the Spanish I learned. Cultural competency is also extremely important when working with people from different cultures.”

Rachel Kane, Class of 2016

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