Latin American and Latino Studies

Latin American and Latino Studies minor (LALS) is a vibrant cross-territorial, interdisciplinary program that brings together the study of Latin America, Latino communities in the U.S. and the Caribbean. You can complete a 15-credit minor that will internationalize your course of study and enhance potential career objectives. As a student in LALS you will study the similarities and differences among the histories, cultures, social institutions and political systems of countries throughout the Americas and in the Caribbean island-nations. In addition, you can study the history and influence of European colonization, slavery, migration, cultural and economic trade, transnationality, and globalization on the region. 

Welcome to the Latin American and Latino Studies program (LALS) at Purdue University. LALS is an interdisciplinary program that brings together the study of Latin America, Latino communities in the U.S. and the Caribbean. In so doing, students are able to engage the similarities and differences between the histories, cultures, social institutions and political systems in countries throughout the Americas and in the Caribbean island-nations. In addition, students study the history and influence of European colonization, slavery, migration, cultural and economic trade, transnationality, and globalization on the region. This cross-territorial, interdisciplinary approach is what makes LALS so exciting! 

LALS works closely with other academic departments and programs on campus, in addition to the Latino Cultural Center. Through cooperative efforts, we hope to offer a rich variety of courses, academic and cultural events that center specific issues pertinent to Latin American, Latino and Caribbean interests. The LALS program is located in the College of Liberal Arts with affiliated faculty in the departments of Anthropology, English, Languages & Cultures, History and Political Science. 

Learn more about LALS here.