Montevideo Courses – 2026 Summer
Academics
Montevideo is an ideal setting for study because it offers a rich blend of Latin American culture, history, and contemporary society alongside a dynamic business environment. The city also offers rich opportunities for Latin American studies and immersive Spanish language learning. The city’s vibrant civic life, diverse communities, and access to regional ecosystems provide hands-on learning that connects classroom study to real-world experiences in culture, society, and sustainability.
You will enroll in three to seven credits during the summer session. At least one 3-credit course is required. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required for the program, though taking a language course while you are abroad is encouraged for a richer cross-cultural experience.
Summer
Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. Course availability is contingent upon scheduling constraints, meeting enrollment minimums, and is subject to change. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
- SummerSpanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
These two advanced courses of Spanish have been designed for students who may manage in daily tasks and interactions, but still need to improve their control over different oral and written registers. In addition, these courses will offer them the opportunity to enhance their vocabulary in specific and technical areas, and to improve grammatical accuracy in their oral and written expression.
Prerequisite: six semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- SummerAnthropology Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.
- SummerDance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Spanish
This course is addressed to those students who enjoy dancing and wanting to learn about traditional Latin American dances like “Cha chachá”, “Son”, “Bachata” “Merengue”, “Salsa”, “Mambo”, “Tango” and so on. At the same time, the students have the chance to practice Spanish and become more acquainted with the Latin American culture.
This course has an additional fee
- SummerPolitical Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
Governments and politics in Latin America are connected to colonial dependence and subsequent deformations in social-economic, cultural, political, and ideological life. This course will address the core political issues facing the region, such as, authoritarianism, dictatorships, revolutions, social conflicts, political corruption, United States foreign policy, political and economic development, democratic transition, and indigenous and other minority group rights, as it pertains to Latin America and the Caribbean.
- SummerSpanish Speech Communications 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
The foundation of successful intercultural negotiation is advanced knowledge and usage of various tools. Typical negotiation strategies are not applicable in multi-cultural settings. Students will explore a variety of readings, case studies, and mock negotiations to acquire the theoretical knowledge and skills to successfully negotiate in multi-cultural settings.
Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- SummerInternational Business Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course is designed to enable students to develop marketing strategies and plans in and across a range of different international market environments. While extending students' marketing and strategic skills obtained in earlier courses into a global context, students also develop knowledge and skills in international marketing processes.
Prerequisite: one semester of college-level marketing or business administration
- Summer
The Latin American Cuisine workshop offers an immersive experience for students passionate about cooking, providing them the chance to learn about and prepare traditional Latin American dishes such as empanadas, milanesas, burritos, pastel de carne, and more.
Through hands-on cooking sessions, students will not only learn culinary techniques but also practice their Spanish and deepen their understanding of Latin American culture.
The workshop menu is seasonal and updated based on the availability of fresh market products, ensuring a unique and varied menu with each session.
Vegetarian and vegan participants are welcome. No previous cooking experience is required.
This workshop has an additional fee.
This workshop requires a minimum enrollment of four students to run.
- SummerSociology Women's Studies / Gender Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course introduces the concept of gender and focuses on the role of local feminist organizations in the struggle for gender equality. It is an opportunity to explore the human rights situation for women in Uruguay and Río de la Plata. The course will analyze the main struggles of women’s movements in Uruguay, from the end of the dictatorship (1985) until now. By inviting some critical characters from cultural and political life, attending special events, and visiting women NGOs, the group will have the chance to discuss these topics firsthand with women that are part of these processes.
- SummerSociology Women's Studies / Gender Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course introduces foundational concepts of human sexual diversity and cultural attitudes towards certain manifestations and interpretations of gender and sexuality. Students will explore how the regional and international human rights standards seek to define and guarantee the rights of LGBTQ+ persons, and to what extent the current global and Latin American contexts reflect this. Zooming into the regional LGBTQ+ movement, we will focus on the path to equality in Uruguay, with a direct dialogue with activists of a local LGBTQ+ organization and LGBTQ+ rights public institution.
- SummerSpanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
The focus of this course is to improve learners´ written abilities through the analysis and the production of different types of texts. In addition, several grammatical topics will be reviewed in order to enhance and refine the learners´ grammatical competence.
Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- SummerSpanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish
An optional three credit course addressed to students that have already completed two years of Spanish at the college level and want to start participating in the oral activities that the immersion setting facilitates.
Prerequisite: Four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent, or instructor approval
U.S. Visiting Professors
While most USAC courses are taught by local faculty, we are excited to have the following U.S. professor(s) teach with us in Montevideo this summer:
Annabella España-Nájera, Ph.D., California State University, Fresno
Government and Politics in Latin America
Professor España-Nájera specializes in comparative politics at California State University, Fresno. She regularly submits publications and presents her work at international conferences. Professor España-Nájera has traveled to 26 countries and regularly does research in Latin America. She has a strong passion for her students and international education, proven through her mentorship for first-generation college students and underrepresented students to study abroad.