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Students interested in the LLAS major should consider taking LLAS 101 (Introduction to Latina/o and Latin American Studies) and/or HIST 150/LLAS 150 (Colonial Latin America) during their first year. The LLAS major also requires students to complete SPAN 202 (Advanced Spanish) or SPAN 211 (Advanced Spanish for Native Speakers). LLAS majors are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad and summer research programs in Latin America or Spain. Our program also encourages students to engage in community-based learning through the different activities available in the Latino and Latin American communities that are integral to the city of Los Angeles.

Placement Information

Students interested in the LLAS major who have previous experience with the Spanish should take the online Spanish Placement Exam prior to Orientation. Students who grew up speaking Spanish at home should enroll in SPAN 211. Students studying Spanish for the first time can enroll in SPAN 101 without taking the exam. 

Exceptions: You do not need to take Occidental’s Spanish Placement exam if any of the following are true: 

• Students who received a 4 on the AP Spanish exam are placed into SPAN 201.
• Students who received a 5 on the AP Spanish exam are placed into SPAN 202.
• Students who received a score of 560-689 on the Spanish SAT Subject Test are placed into SPAN 101.
• Students who received a score of 690 or above on the Spanish SAT Subject Test are placed into SPAN 102.  

Note: To use a standardized test score for placement you must have the official score report sent to the Registrar’s Office. 

Sample 4-Year Plan

The plan above assumes no previous study or experience with Spanish. Students should start with the language course in which they are placed. 

LLAS Transfer Student Advice

Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: 2 courses

Designated Transfer Adviser

Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in LLAS:

• Junior transfer students 

  • Should have completed at least 2 courses focused on Latina/o Studies or Latin American Studies with equivalents in our course offerings. These courses can be from traditional social science and humanities disciplines or interdisciplinary departments such as Chicanx Studies, Ethnic Studies, American Studies or Area Studies. 

  • Should have completed all of their Language and Math/Science Core requirements prior to transferring. Many of the other core requirements may be met through courses that count toward the major.

• Transfer students starting mid way through their sophomore year and sophomore students:

• No prior courses in LLAS necessary

• Should have completed as many of their Language and Math/Science Core requirements as possible prior to transferring.

General advice for transfer students wanting to major LLAS:

• The following courses must be taken at Occidental: LLAS Research Methods and the Senior Seminar, LLAS 490.

What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?

• Junior transfers must take language prerequisites for SPAN 202 as well as LLAS 101 if not completed at another institution. They must also take the Research Methods class during their junior year, which is offered each spring semester. They should also complete any outstanding Math/Science core requirements.

• Transfer students starting mid way through their sophomore year must take LLAS 101 if not taken at another institution and in addition at least one Latina/o Studies or Latin American Studies elective. 

• Sophomore students may take LLAS 101 and/or another Latina/o Studies or Latin American Studies elective.