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Latin America & Latinx Studies, Minor

Become a leader with a comprehensive understanding of Latin America and its relationship with other countries, and the experiences of the U.S. Latinx communities.

About this Program

Prepare for Employment and Opportunities with Contextual and Regional Knowledge

The Latin American and Latinx Studies (LAST) Minor gives you an interdisciplinary understanding of the culture, economics, environment, history, literature, and politics of Latin America. It also provides you with the opportunity to study the experiences of the Latinx community living in the United States.

Faculty and courses from Environmental Studies, History, International Studies, Modern Languages, Political Science, Sociology, Theology and Religious Studies, and Women and Gender Studies contribute to the LAST program. The increasing integration of the Americas, along with the growing importance of Latin American immigrants and their descendants in the United States, heightens the need for well-informed leaders who have a comprehensive understanding of Latin America and its relationship with the United States and other parts of the world.

Designed to complement a major field of study, the Latin American and Latinx Studies Minor helps prepare you for employment in a variety of professional and nonprofit fields, for graduate studies in a number of disciplines, and for competitive fellowships.

What You'll Learn

As a Latin American and Latinx Studies Minor student, you will:

  • Gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the culture, history, literature, economics, and politics of the region of Latin America.
  • Learn about the experiences of Latino/Latina/Latine/Latinx communities in the United States.
  • Achieve basic communication abilities in a regional Latin American language.
  • Draw on the contextual and regional knowledge you gain in the minor to prepare for employment in a variety of professional fields, graduate studies, and/or service opportunities as a complement to your major.

From Our Alumni

Michael Ninen student

Michael Ninen

"Michael graduated with a minor in Latin America and Latinx Studies and majors in International Studies and Spanish. He was awarded the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Mexico. Michael hopes to incorporate a culturally responsive pedagogy in the classroom to establish a common ground learning environment that serves all types of students. Upon returning to the United States, he would like to aim for a career with the foreign service as a public diplomacy officer."

'20 | LAST Minor

Featured Faculty

  • Serena Cosgrove, PhD
    Serena Cosgrove, PhD

    Associate Professor, International Studies
    Director, Latin American Studies
    Faculty Coordinator, Central America Initiative

  • Claire Garoutte
    Claire Garoutte

    Associate Professor, Art, Art History, and Design (Photography)

  • Marc McCleod
    Marc McCleod

    Associate Professor, History
    Associate Director, University Honors
    Affiliate, Latin American & Latinx Studies
    Affiliate, International Studies
    Affiliate, African & African American Studies
    Affiliate, Environmental Studies

  • Jeanette Rodriguez, PhD
    Jeanette Rodriguez, PhD

    Professor, Theology and Religious Studies
    Associate Appointment, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Learn More

Serena Cosgrove, PhD

Director

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