Montevideo Courses – 2027 Summer Session I
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 in Session I and/or Session II. 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.
Courses Offered:
Course availability is contingent upon scheduling constraints, meeting enrollment minimums, and is subject to change. View course details and descriptions.
Courses marked with an asterisk* are taught in Spanish
Summer Session I
Spanish Language Courses
- Spanish Composition I*
- Advanced Spanish I*
- Intercultural Negotiation
Latin American Culture & Society
- Afro-Uruguayan Identity and Candombe
- Dances of Latin America
- International Marketing
- Latin American Social Revolutions*
- One Ocean, One Health: Coastal Ecosystems and Conservation
Non-Credit Workshop
- Latin American Cuisine
Summer Session II
Spanish Language Courses
- Spanish Composition II*
- Advanced Spanish II*
- Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills*
Latin American Studies & Culture
- Business and Society in Uruguay and Argentina
- Dances of Latin America
- Latin America Today
- Rio de la Plata - People and Culture
- The Living Atlantic: Biodiversity and Environmental Change
Non-Credit Workshop
- Latin American Cuisine
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
- Summer Session ISpanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course introduces advanced-level Spanish language structures and cultural perspectives while continuing to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is placed on strengthening communicative competence and accuracy through integrated practice in all four language skills within meaningful cultural contexts.
Prerequisite: Six semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- Summer Session IISpanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course introduces advanced-level Spanish language structures and cultural perspectives while continuing to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is placed on strengthening communicative competence and accuracy through integrated practice in all four language skills within meaningful cultural contexts.
Prerequisite: Seven semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- Summer Session IAnthropology Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course explores the historical and contemporary experiences of Afro-Uruguayans, a community whose cultural, political, and artistic contributions have profoundly shaped Uruguayan society. Students will examine the legacy of the African diaspora in Uruguay, from the transatlantic slave trade and struggles for freedom, to the development of unique traditions such as candombe, music, and carnival practices. The course also engages with issues of race, inequality, and representation in modern Uruguay, considering how Afro-Uruguayans negotiate identity within a national narrative often framed by European heritage. Through a combination of scholarly readings, guest lectures, field visits, and cultural activities, students will critically analyze how Afro-Uruguayan heritage is preserved, celebrated, and contested. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of Uruguay’s diverse cultural fabric and the ongoing challenges and achievements of Afro-descendant communities in the region.
- Summer Session IIGeneral Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course introduces students to the diverse and dynamic business environment of Latin America, with a particular focus on Argentina and Uruguay. Through a combination of lectures, class discussions, and interviews with local businesspeople and entrepreneurs, students will develop an understanding of the region’s contemporary business practices and economic realities. By examining both broader regional trends and specific local businesses and markets, students will gain practical knowledge and insights into the opportunities, challenges, and cultural factors involved in doing business in Latin America.
- Summer Session IDance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and SpanishSummer Session IIDance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Spanish
This course is addressed to those students who enjoy dancing and want 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
- Summer Session ISpanish Speech Communications 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course provides fundamental knowledge and essential tools for conducting negotiations effectively and successfully in culturally diverse contexts. In such situations, local strategies may not be applicable, as the frameworks used to determine what is right or wrong, appropriate, or out of place vary across cultures. Through selected readings, case studies, and situational exercises, students will develop a solid theoretical and reflective foundation, enabling them to navigate intercultural negotiation contexts with confidence and competence.
Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- Summer Session IInternational 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 Session IIPolitical Science Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course explores the political, social, and cultural dynamics of Latin America by examining how historical legacies continue to shape the region’s contemporary realities. Key topics include democracy and authoritarianism, revolutionary movements, economic crises, race relations, migration, organized crime, and broader processes of sociopolitical change. Through case studies of Cuba, El Salvador, Bolivia, Chile, and Venezuela, students analyze major historical turning points and their influence on political developments across the region. Special attention is also given to contemporary developments in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, enabling students to better understand the diversity and complexity of Latin America’s political landscapes.
Prerequisite: Four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- Summer Session ISummer Session II
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.
- Summer Session IEnvironmental Science Natural Resources 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Coming soon!
- Summer Session IIAnthropology History 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course introduces the history and culture of the Rio de la Plata region, specifically Uruguay and Argentina, along with Brazil´s south.
It examines:
-to the 1850s: the pre-conquest native populations; the Spanish conquest and settlement; colonial institutions; British invasions; Spanish-Portuguese rivalry in the region; the independence movements.
-from the 1850s to the 1950s: European immigration waves; development of the export economies; democratization; creation of Latin America’s first social welfare state in Uruguay.
-from the 1950s to present the impact of the Cuban Revolution on the Río de la Plata; the Tupamaro urban guerrillas in Uruguay; and contemporary issues.
The course also examines the foundation of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, along with the influences of European populations on the cultural patterns that define the culture of Rio de la Plata. Regional worldwide renowned topics such as the Gauchos, the Mate infusion, Tango music, Asado, and Football (soccer) are also addressed, studied, and presented from a historical-cultural point of view.
- Summer Session ISpanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course focuses on developing students’ written communication skills through the analysis and production of a variety of text types, with emphasis on syntax and idiomatic usage. Students will also enhance and refine their grammatical competence through the study and application of key grammatical structures in written compositions.
Prerequisite: Four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- Summer Session IISpanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish
This course focuses on developing students’ written communication skills through the analysis and production of a variety of text types, with emphasis on syntax and idiomatic usage. Students will also enhance and refine their grammatical competence through the study and application of key grammatical structures in written compositions.
Prerequisite: Five semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent
- Summer Session IISpanish 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
- Summer Session IIEnvironmental Science Natural Resources 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Coming soon!