Latin American Studies Minor
There are many reasons to study Latin America at WKU, from a personal love of Latin American music and dance to the professional advantages it can provide after graduation. The region, home to more than 600 million people, is a kaleidoscope of different cultures and historical experiences spanning the pre-Colombian past to a rapidly-changing present. Latin American and Caribbean countries also have a long, and often complicated, relationship with the U.S.; countries like Mexico are key economic partners of the U.S. (especially since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement), while others like Brazil are pursuing a path less tied to U.S. interests while playing an increasingly important role in the global economy.
Political and economic developments in Latin American countries affect the U.S. directly, and understanding Latin American issues is the key to creating informed policies that can benefit the entire hemisphere. Within the U.S., Hispanics make up the second-largest ethnic group, meaning that at least in cultural sense the U.S. is also part of Latin America; for example, salsa music was born in New York City, though its roots are in Cuban and Puerto Rican culture. Adding a Latin American Studies minor, which is compatible with a wide variety of majors and minors, can enrich your undergraduate experience by offering insights into this dynamic and complex region of the world.
The minor in Latin American studies requires a minimum of 21 semester hours.
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La presencia de América Latina (The Presence of Latin America).
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