About Latino/a and Latin American Studies

Latino/a and Latin American Studies is an exciting interdisciplinary minor. Traditional disciplines (such as history, sociology, literature, language) are organized into a program of study so that the student may develop familiarity with history, politics and social issues in Latin America as well as a knowledge of the complexity of Latino/a cultures and studies in the United States. Students who complete this minor should be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of U.S.–Latin American relations and sensitivity to the global, diverse nature of cultural issues in Latin America and those surrounding the Latinx community in the U.S.

The minor is offered by a faculty with varied backgrounds. Classes are offered on a regular basis in sociology, history, Spanish language and literature. In addition, there are courses offered in art, music, media and migration, to name a few.

Latinos are now 60 million or 18% of the U.S. population, and are expected to nearly double by 2050, according to U.S. Census Bureau projections.  College graduates will increasingly encounter Latinos in the workplace and community, and so learning about their history, culture, social and economic issues will add depth to future interactions with Latinx in the U.S. and Latin America.