Latin American Studies at WKU

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WKU provides many opportunities for students to study and experience Latin America and the Caribbean. Faculty offer courses on Latin American topics every semester, while regular on-campus events allow you to learn about Latin American issues and culture outside of class. There are numerous study abroad programs to enable students to get to know the region firsthand; WKU faculty, staff, and students also maintain active research and service learning projects in individual countries. These pages are meant to familiarize you with WKU's involvement with this vibrant, diverse region.

 

The Latin American Studies Minor

WKU offers a Latin American Studies minor program, which requires 21 credit hours and is compatible with a wide variety of majors. The approved courses provide a variety of perspectives on Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

Why Study Latin America?

There are many potential reasons to study Latin America, from a personal love of Latin American music and dance to the professional advantages it can provide after graduation. Latin American and Caribbean countries have historically been closely involved with the U.S. both politically and economically. With the advent of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, Mexico is an ever more important trading parter, and the U.S. continues to seek additional trade agreements throughout the region. Countries like Brazil are playing an increasingly important role in the world economy. Developments in Latin American countries also affect the U.S. directly, and understanding Latin American issues is the key to creating informed policies that can benefit the entire hemisphere. Hispanics are now the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S., so that Latin American culture has become a vital part of the diverse society of this country. Finally, Latin America is an exciting place to study; your experiences with the music, film, food, sports, and people of the region will remain with you for your entire life.

For more information, contact Dr. Marc Eagle.