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.

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

  • Define their place as citizens in global society.
  • Understanding of the political, economic, cultural interconnectedness that constitutes our world today.
  • Ability to communicate at a basic functional level of proficiency in a language, other than English, specific to the geographical region of study.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • For the major, students must reach the equivalent of intermediate level proficiency (appropriate to the region if selected). Language study should correspond with the country where students wish to spend their study abroad. Students can meet the requirement by taking and successfully passing a proficiency exam or taking and successfully passing one of the following courses:
  • Intermediate French (4 units)
  • Intermediate Italian (4 units)
  • Intermediate Japanese (4 units)
  • Intermediate Spanish (4 units)
  • Students who place into a higher level of language can fulfill this requirement by taking an appropriate language course.

Lower Division

  • The following lower-division course is required for all GRS majors
  • Introduction to Global & Regional Studies (4 units)

Lower Division Elective

  • Take two from the following lower division courses:
  • Intro to Social & Cultural Anthropology (4 units)
  • Macroeconomic Principles and Applications (or ECON 102 for students with transfer or AP credit) (4 units)
  • Global History to 1500 (4 units)
  • Global History Since 1500 (4 units)
  • Note: Only one of HIST 111 or 112 may be used
  • Introduction to Comparative Politics (4 units)

Upper Division

  • All GRS majors take the following UD courses:
  • Cultural Geography & Global Societies (4 units)
  • Interdisciplinary Issues in Global Studies (3 units)
  • Global Perspectives on Literature & Art (3 units)
  • Senior Research Capstone (4 units)

Concentration: Latin America

  • Within their concentration students take three courses covering the region selected, from three of the four interdisciplinary areas: History, Anthropology, Politics, and Literature and Art. Students MUST take 8 upper-division units within the concentration.

Anthropology

  • World Cultures: Central America (4 units)
  • World Cultures: South America (4 units)

History

  • Environment in Latin American History (3 units)
  • Explorations in Latin American History (3 units)
  • Special Topics in Latin American History (4 units)
  • Women in Latin American History (4 units)
  • Revolution in Latin America (4 units)
  • African Diaspora in Latin America (4 units)
  • Drugs in Latin American History (4 units)

Literature and Art

  • Culture and Civilization: Spain (3 units)
  • Culture and Civilization: Latin America (3 units)
  • Latin American Literature I (4 units)
  • Latin American Literature II (4 units)
  • Contemporary Latin American Literature (4 units)
  • 20th Century Mexican Literature (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!

Learn More

  • Intro:Global&Regional Studies (4 units)
  • Cultural Geography&Glbl Soc (4 units)
  • Interdisciplinary Issues GS (3 units)
  • Glbl Perspectives on Lit & Art (3 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).

Image
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

19.5

Average Class Size

School and Department Information