Latin American and Latinx Studies - Culture and Society Emphasis
Explore Latin American history, culture, and society.
Open Up a World of Possibilities
One of only a few programs like it in the region, our unique major is designed for those who are less interested in developing Spanish language skills and more interested in learning about Latin America and Latinx people, including those in the U.S. For those who are interested in developing their Spanish language skills, see our Latin American and Latinx studies - language emphasis major.
Through engaging coursework, taught by supportive faculty experts, you'll be immersed in all things Latin American. A large number of electives allow you to personalize your education and study topics that interest you. Explore classes in art history, public health, sustainability, geography, and more. This flexibility opens doors to new job possibilities and helps you to find your niche.
An exciting and key component of this program is that all Latin American and Latinx studies - culture and society emphasis majors are required to participate in a cultural immersion experience, such as study abroad, an international internship, a faculty-led international immersion experience, or a domestic immersion experience focused on Latinx/Hispanic communities in the U.S. Over the course of three or more weeks, you'll gain a deeper cultural awareness and a better understanding of Latin America and its people — both in the U.S. and abroad. Possible destinations include both Spanish- and English-speaking countries of the Americas, such as Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Guatemala, Belize, and Jamaica.
Because of the broad, interdisciplinary nature of the major, students are introduced to an array of subjects and career paths. Prepare for a career in the nonprofit sector, education, healthcare, law, journalism, international business or any other field in which knowledge of Latin America and its people abroad or in the U.S. can be an asset. With a Latin American and Latinx studies - culture and society emphasis degree, you'll find a world of opportunity available to you.
Program Details
A large number of electives allow you to personalize your education and study topics that interest you. Focus on Latin American and U.S. Latino music and dance and their influence in the United States, the socioeconomic realities of women in Latin America, or the challenges of water use and management in the U.S. and worldwide.
Covering almost 13% of the Earth's land surface area, there is a lot of ground to cover in Latin America. And we encourage you to explore it. Recent immersion experiences have taken students to Guatemala, where they learned about the efforts of a local coffee co-operative to create a model of coffee production that would provide greater earnings and a more sustainable livelihood for local coffee farmers. Students also traveled to Argentina where they examined human rights through the lenses of history, economics and social justice efforts.
As a Latin American and Latinx studies major, you'll have a variety of research opportunities available to you, from exploring Latin American and Latinx culture to studying interdisciplinary topics related to Latin America and its people. Our collaborative faculty will do all they can to ensure you get the most out of your UWEC education.
Each year, the Latin American and Latinx studies program hosts Latin American and Latinx Studies (LAS) Week, which includes a number of events related to Latin American and Latinx topics. This is an exciting way to learn even more about Latin American and Latinx people as the week often includes opportunities to hear from renowned speakers, experts, artists, educators, and students.
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Where can the Latin American and Latinx studies - culture and society program lead me after graduation?
Latin American and Latinx studies graduates are prepared well for graduate school and a variety of jobs. Given the increasing interdependence of nations and economies, as well as the growth of the Latinx/Hispanic population in the United States, a degree in Latin American and Latinx studies can open doors to nearly any career path.
Our grads go on to work in healthcare, economic/international development, environmental organizations, immigration services, nonprofits, and a variety of other fields and industries. Many Blugolds have also received Fulbright awards and fellowships, making it possible for them to teach or conduct research abroad.
The Latin American and Latinx studies - culture and society emphasis major will provide you with a broad, solid grounding in the culture, politics, economics and social life of Latin America and Latinx populations in the U.S. today and in the past. Students gain an understanding of the region and its people, develop skills in critical thinking, and discuss and evaluate broad issues from interdisciplinary perspectives.
The major is sometimes paired with other majors, including geography, social work, history, chemistry, English, business, or Spanish, providing students with even more career opportunities. A Peace Corps Certificate is also available.
Here are a few courses in Latin American and Latinx Studies - Culture and Society Emphasis at UW-Eau Claire.
LAS 222
Introduction to U.S. Latino History and Culture
An interdisciplinary introduction to the history and culture of Latinos in the United States with lectures and course materials in English.
LAS 324
Latinx Health and Migration to the U.S.
Students will learn about the environmental, economic, political, social, and cultural factors that influence Latin American health and migration to the U.S., health during migration and upon arrival, and multi-generational wellbeing in Hispanic communities in the U.S.
LAS 350
Latin American Literature in Translation
This course introduces students to Latin American authors and their writings in a historical and social context.
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