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students in the Latinx Culture Center

Latin American and Latinx Studies

Taught by expert faculty, our courses involve unique, experiential learning opportunities that will enhance your Spanish language proficiency.

Available as
Certificate or Minor
Description

Broaden Your Career Possibilities and Perspectives

Given the increasing Latinx/Hispanic population in the United States, the global nature of the economy and the emerging markets of Latin America and Latinx/Hispanic people in the U.S. and elsewhere, an understanding of Latin America is a valuable asset in nearly any field. From business to finance to healthcare administration, nursing, social work, and education, our graduates are using the knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies gained to better the world around them.

An exciting and key component of this program is that all Latin American and Latinx studies minors 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.

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Certificate
Minor
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asCertificate or Minor
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
coffee plantation visit in Guatemala
Cultural Immersion Experiences

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. 

Welcome to LAS history class screen shot
Course Variety

A wide range of elective courses allows you to find your niche and specialize in areas that interest you. Taught by expert faculty, classes will explore topics like history, art history, the environment, geography, religion, public health, sustainability, math, and more. This flexibility opens doors to new opportunities and job possibilities.

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Research Opportunities

As a Latin American and Latinx studies minor, 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. 

student at regional farm speaking Spanish with farm staff
Outside-the-Classroom Learning

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.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

UWEC is a National Leader in Study Abroad Opportunities
Here you can take your studies across the globe!
2023 Open Doors Report of the Institute of International Education
Explore A New Campus
Participate in the National Student Exchange Program and choose from 180 schools, including universities in Canada, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Courses information
SampleCourses

Learn more about Latin America and Latinx/Hispanic communities in the U.S., their history, and their culture, as well as about Latin America and Latin American communities in the U.S.

Here are a few courses in Latin American and Latinx Studies at UW-Eau Claire.

LAS 150

Introduction to Latin American and Latinx Studies

An interdisciplinary course introducing students both to the culture and civilization of Latin America and to Latin American and Latinx Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

LAS 314

Music and Dance of Latin America

An interdisciplinary investigation of Latin American and U.S. Latino music and dance and their influence in the United States.

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.

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Meet the Faculty

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Languages Department
Latin American and Latinx Studies Program
Professor - Spanish
Program Director - Latin American and Latinx Studies
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