Why Latin American Studies?
As a neighboring region, Latin America has always been a crucial area of interest for the United States. The region’s fundamental importance has been highlighted recently by several significant issues and events. These include: migration from Latin America to the U.S., political instability related to economic policy shifts, recent “democratization” of many of the region’s political systems; implementation of NAFTA and the emergence of a “free trade” agreement for the Americas; the development of liberation theology; the growing strength of women’s movements; and the rise of indigenous based social movements. For students with a strong interest in the peoples, politics, social conditions and cultures of Latin America, the concentration in Latin American Studies can open the door to a challenging and rewarding career as a Latin American specialist.
