The Undergraduate UMass Boston Navitas GSSP is the first year of a bachelor’s degree program at UMass Boston. The Navitas GSSP consists of for-credit coursework and provides an academic and cultural bridge from the high school experience to studying at a university in the United States. When students successfully complete the UMass Boston Navitas GSSP, they will progress directly into the second year of their undergraduate degree program.

The field of Latin American and Iberian studies explores the languages, literatures, and histories of Spain, Portugal, Latin America and the Caribbean. Insight into these cultures trains students to think critically from different perspectives—an important skill in a world where communication and understanding across boundaries is essential. Latin American and Iberian studies graduates are prepared for careers in international affairs, government, education and many other fields.

The major in Latin American and Iberian Studies offers three options:

• Language, Culture, and Society
• Translation Studies
• Latin American Studies 

The Language, Culture, and Society Track

It offers students an opportunity to advance in the mastery of the Spanish language and become adept in reading, interpreting, and analyzing cultural production in specific, social, historical, and political contexts. The multidisciplinary approach of this track supports student success by allowing them to hone a number of transferable skills, such as the ability to question and examine representation of events, to maintain multiple perspectives, and to exercise critical thought. All of these skills are key competencies of the university’s General Education Program and also constitute the fundamental goals of a Liberal Arts education.

The completion of this track will provide students with the linguistic and cultural competency to be successful in today’s transnational world. Students specializing in this track may consider career options in education, counseling, journalism, international relations, trade, management, law, health care, and public policy, as well as higher degrees in the humanities and social sciences.

The Translation Studies Track

It provides pre-professional training in the theory and practice of translation for students who are interested in translation or wish to acquire translation as ancillary skills to be used in many professions such as commerce, health services, social services, international relations, management, etc. The track is designed for students who are proficient in Spanish and English. The Translation Track covers the areas of development of technical vocabulary (legal, medical, business, technical), written translation and/or interpretation.

The Latin American Studies Track

It offers a comprehensive, coherent and multidisciplinary curriculum examining the historical, political, social, and cultural currents that have shaped the societies and cultures of Latin America. In this track, students learn and apply a range of analytical approaches to develop their knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking about how the diverse societies of the region have developed through centuries of internal struggle and contested exchange with Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. The multidisciplinary approach in this track supports student success by preparing them for an increasingly transnational world. 

Students specializing in this track may consider careers in education, journalism, international relations, trade, management, law, and public policy, as well as higher degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and health sciences.