BA Latin American Studies four-year (T711 BA/LAS)Photo: Carnival, Rio de Janeiro

• First year

(a) Introduction to Latin American History (HR141-4-AU) - 15 credits - Core Module AND  Introduction to Contemporary Latin America (CS141-4-SP) - 15 credits - Core Module
(b) EITHER Intensive Spanish LA421-4-FY (30 credits - Core Module) for those with no Spanish
OR Post Advanced Level Spanish LA4404-FY  for those with an A Level in Spanish. Native speakers of Spanish cannot take this module.
(c) EITHER Intensive Spanish LA422-4-FY (30 credits - Core Module)
OR Spanish to Portuguese conversion LA333-4-FY  (30 credits - Compulsory Module) for students with an A Level in Spanish and Spanish native speakers (see Note (c) below). Native speakers of Portuguese cannot take this module.
(d) First year outside option or The Enlightenment (CS101-4-FY Strongly Recommended).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students must obtain passes in, HR141-4-AU and CS141-4-SP and the language component of the course (40% in both coursework and exam) in order to proceed to the 2nd Year. To participate in the Study Abroad, students must achieve a year mark of 53% or above in their first year of study.

• Second year

(a) Latin American half-option (15 credits) in the Autumn term AND Doing Research for a BA Dissertation (CS241-5-SP) - (15 credits - Core Module in the Spring term).
(b) Spanish Proficiency Level LA450-5-FY (30 credits - core module) for those who passed LA440 Post Advanced Level Spanish (LA440-4-FY)
OR Post Advanced Spanish (LA440-5-FY) for those who passed Intensive Spanish (LA421-4-FY and LA422-4-FY)
(c) Spanish to Portuguese Conversion (LA333-5-FY) - 30 credits - compulsory module - for those students who passed the Intensive Spanish Programme (LA421-4-FY and LA422-4-FY)
(d) Latin American Option for students who passed Advanced Spanish
OR Outside option for students who passed Advanced Spanish
OR Portuguese (see Note (c) below) at appropriate level (except for Portuguese native speakers) - 30 credits

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students must obtain a Pass in the appropriate language (Spanish or Portuguese depending on the Study Abroad allocation) and submit a satisfactory research proposal for Doing Research for a BA Dissertation (CS241-5-SP) in order to proceed to the 3rd Year - The Study Abroad year.

• Third year - Study Abroad

The Study Abroad is defined as two semesters or equivalent at a Latin American University. This is a highly important element of the degree because failing it can lead either to withdrawal from the University or having to change your Course.  Students will follow an approved programme of study in Latin America. There are two possible programmes:

Mode A

A1 - Two semesters of study in a Latin American University.
A2 - Students will take a full course load. The number of modules depends on the requirements of the host institution. The Director of Latin American Studies can advise regarding the appropriate number.  The module choices will be subject to the approval of the Director of Latin American Studies. Students are required to achieve at least level 4 in the relevant language to be allowed to study abroad. They must continue with their study of the language in the host institution by taking modules that will allow them to achieve the required C1 level within the European Framework at the end of the year abroad.
A3 - Students will be assessed in accordance with the requirements of the host university which will provide transcripts showing grades obtained for each module. These grades will be converted into Essex equivalents in accordance with a published conversion scale approved by the Dean of the Faculty and published annually in the Study Abroad Student Handbook.

Mode B

B1 - One semester of study at a Latin American University followed by an approved work placement in Latin America.
B2 - Students will take a full course load during the first semester at their chosen Latin American university. The number of modules depends on the requirements of the host institution. The Director of Latin American Studies can advise regarding the appropriate number. Students are required to achieve at least level 4 in the relevant language to be allowed to study abroad. They must continue with their study of the language in the host institution by taking modules that will allow them to achieve the required C1 level within the European Framework at the end of the year abroad. 
B3 - The internships will be established and approved by the Director of Latin American Studies. All internships will have a named host supervisor. There will be a double selection process for internships - at Essex by the Director of Latin American Studies and by interview with the host institution supervisor in Latin America. The host institution supervisor will be responsible for monitoring student progress on the internship. The Director of Latin American Studies will be your Essex supervisor.
B4 - The internship will be assessed by means of a portfolio comprising an Internship Diary (45%) a 3500 word General Report (40%) and a 2500 word Internship Report (15%). The Internship Report and the General Report will be written in Spanish or Portuguese and all work will be double-marked by University of Essex staff.
B5 - The mark given for the portfolio will comprise one of the three assessed elements of the Year Abroad in Mode B (worth 30 Essex credits).   The semester of study at a Latin American University will comprise two of the three assessed elements in Mode B (worth 2x 30 credits).

Students are also expected to do some research for their Dissertation during the Year Abroad. This research will be honed during the final year when students take the Dissertation module CSS831.

Students must pass the required number of Essex credits to ensure a smooth re-entry into the 4th year at Essex. Failing to comply with the requirements of the year abroad may lead to withdrawal from the University or having to change Course.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students must successfully complete the third year - the Study Abroad in order to proceed to the fourth year.

• Fourth year

(a) The Dissertation and the Dissertation Seminar (CS831-6-FY - Compulsory Module 30 credits)
(b) Spanish Mastery Level LA460-6-FY (Core Module if majoring in Spanish) or Portuguese Mastery Level LA360-6-FY (Core Module if majoring in Portuguese) (30 credits)
(c) Latin American Option
(d) Portuguese at the appropriate level (30 credits)
OR Latin American Option OR Outside Option

• Notes

(a) A student's choice of modules is subject to the approval of the Director of Latin American Studies. Normally no more than two Latin American Area modules in the same discipline may be taken over the two-year period of second and final year.
(b) Native-speakers of Spanish are required to take Portuguese. Native-speakers of Portuguese are required to take Spanish. Native speakers cannot take modules in their first language.
(c) All students except native Portuguese-speakers are required to take the Spanish to Portuguese Conversion module LA333-4/5-FY in either first, or second year depending on their level of Spanish.
(d) All students are required to achieve Mastery Level (level 6) in at least one of Spanish or Portuguese by the end of final year. Subject to this requirement, and to the regulations of the Department of Language and Linguistics, students may take either language, or both, in second and final years.
(e) The pathways and levels of language modules taken depends on the regulations published in the Handbook of the Department of Language and Linguistics.
(f) Students could be asked to resit failed exams or resubmit missing coursework in their second or final year of study.

• Method of assessment

1. All options are assessed as specified by the departments offering the modules.

2. The Dissertation must be submitted no later than the Friday of the second week of the Spring Term of the candidate's Final Year. Students will produce a draft chapter and give a formal presentation on their dissertations in the Dissertation Seminar as part of the assessment. Both will be assessed.

3. External Examiners have the right to see all assessed coursework including work from the Year Abroad. Students should therefore retain all their assignments and resubmit them to the appropriate departments when requested.

All degrees are assessed in accordance with the BA/BSc Final Rules of Assessment.