Departmental Thesis Requirements

Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary program that allows students to create a personalized major by taking approved courses offered in departments across the University of Utah campus. Therefore, the format and content of an Honors thesis in Latin American Studies depend on the student’s chosen disciplinary concentration areas within the broad field of Latin American Studies. Typically, the thesis format will follow what is standard practice for the department in which the student’s faculty mentor is housed.

Each academic department submits the specific requirements that must be met for a successful Honors thesis in its respective major. If you are seeking more information on your department’s thesis requirements, please contact your Departmental Honors Liaison and/or the Honors Thesis Team in the Honors College.

Faculty Thesis Mentors

Research active tenure-track and career-line faculty across the University are eligible to serve as Honors thesis mentors. If a faculty mentor leaves the University before the thesis is complete, the Latin American Studies Program Advisors and DHL will work with the student to find a new mentor.

Collaborative Theses

Collaborative theses are permitted where appropriate to the student’s chosen disciplinary concentration areas and after approval by the student’s faculty mentor and the Latin American Studies DHL.

Do collaborators submit individual theses, or a single co-authored thesis?

Both individual or single co-authored submissions are accepted as part of a collaborative thesis. However, in addition to the thesis, the student is expected to provide a written report describing the scope of their particular contributions to the collaborative project.

Joint Thesis

A joint thesis is permitted provided that the topic, scope, and methodology of the thesis are appropriate and meet the expectations of the student’s majors. A joint thesis plan must be approved by all DHLs involved and the student’s faculty mentor.

How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects of the major, like a Capstone Project?

The Honors thesis may fulfill the “Signature Experience” requirement for the Latin American Studies major. Coursework that supports the thesis include required core courses in History and Anthropology, required language courses in 1 of the Latin American languages offered in the Department of World Languages and Cultures (Spanish, Portuguese, Nahuatl, or Quechua), and relevant content and methodology courses in the student’s chosen disciplinary concentration areas.

Additional information for students

The Latin American Studies Program website maintains a list of affiliated faculty members from across disciplines and departments. Students who are not yet sure which faculty member(s) they would like to work with should consult this information. It lists professors who teach approved electives for Latin American Studies. They can also meet with the DHL and Latin American Studies Director to discuss ideas and next steps.