The Latin American and Latino/a Studies program is an interdisciplinary program that asks students to study the socio-economic, cultural, and educational factors impacting the U.S. Latinx community. The goal of the minor is to help our students broaden their knowledge of the Latino/a population by exploring historical developments that impact the transnational identities of individuals and their families. This program also applies a critical examination of Latino cultures and key factors shaping U.S. Latino/a/x communities. Students are required to complete a course internship with a corporation, non-profit organization, or other work-place industry partner. The goal of this final internship capstone is to allow students to apply their skills in identifying and examining trends and opportunities among Latinos/as in a work-place experience. The interdisciplinary minor also prepares students for law school, graduate school, or additional career exploration.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| LTS-1200 | Introduction to Latino Cultural Studies | 4 |
| LTS-1300 | Latinos and Latinas in the United States | 4 |
| LTS-2940 | Latino Community Internship | 4 |
| or LTS-3940 | Latino Community Internship | |
| HIS-3450 | Latin American History | 4 |
| Selected Courses | ||
| Select 4 semester hours of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Latinx Theatre | ||
| Politics and Policy in the Latino Community | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Conversation and Culture Through Spanish Language Films | ||
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Regulations Governing Minors
- Minors at Aurora University are optional. They are not required for graduation.
- A minor shall comprise a minimum of 18 semester hours.
- At least 25% of the credits applied to a minor must be earned at AU.
- Each minor must be developed and monitored by an approved program committee of the faculty; new or substantially revised minors require the approval of the Board of Trustees based on recommendations from the program committee, the appropriate school/college governance bodies, the Academic Dean, appropriate university governance bodies, the Chief Academic Officer, and the President.
- Beyond the minimum coursework requirement, the content, structure, and extent of a minor are prerogatives of the individual program committees within the schools and colleges of the university, except as otherwise defined or restricted by the academic regulations.
- No “D” will apply toward minors.
- A maximum of four (4) semester hours of credit/no credit coursework will apply toward a minor.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will describe and critically examine the U.S. Latino experience through multidisciplinary perspectives, specifically, historical, political, social, cultural, educational, and economic lenses.
- Demonstrate understanding of the history of Latinos/as in the United States and relationship to Spanish speaking countries
- Identify and discuss key themes in the critical study of Latina/o/x culture, including the effects of migration, urbanization, and acculturation on the Latino population in the United States
- Explain the growth and development of Latina/o/x communities in the United States over the past several decades
- Demonstrate self-awareness of personal history and attitudes towards U.S. Latinos and cultures
- Use Critical thinking and research skills to advance arguments supported with evidence, both in writing and via public speaking
- Students will discuss and evaluate contemporary topics facing Latinos/as in the United States, including but not limited to identity formation, family life, generational and socio-cultural change, and questions of race, class, and gender.
- Examine factors that impact the integration of Latinos/as in U.S. landscape in venues such as politics, education, economics and health-care
- Analyze historical and geographic evidence and statistical and demographic data regarding diverse Latina/o populations in the United States, and identify major themes emerging from this data
- Use an interdisciplinary perspective to evaluate how Latinos fare in the United States vis-à-vis diverse issues