The Latin American and Caribbean Studies minor at Southern welcomes globally conscious students interested in broadening their cultural, economic, geographical, historical, political, and social understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean. Interdisciplinary and multicultural in nature, the program offers models for the new millennium's movement towards a world community and thus supports majors and careers in such areas as art, geography, human services, history, literature, music, nursing, politics, public health, and social work. This program’s focus opens important career possibilities for students committed to equity and inclusion who are pursuing a variety of degrees and professional pathways.
The minor consists of 18 credits in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Each student must take LAC 100 (Introduction to Latin American and Caribbean Studies) and then, with advisement from the program’s faculty, develop an individual plan of study from a wide variety of courses to create a coherent program that matches their academic interests and professional goals.
Careers
Career Readiness and Cultural Awareness
The Latin American and Caribbean Studies minor can support students’ academic and professional goals in many fields by developing an important dimension of cultural awareness. A LACS minor contributes uniquely to career readiness.
Skills Employers Seek
Employers are looking for future employees who can demonstrate the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, ensure equity and inclusion, and display professionalism. The Latin American and Caribbean Studies minor can provide students with these highly valued skills needed to engage effectively and equitably with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Additionally, the minor allows students to consider ways to identify and address hierarchies of privilege that unfavorably affect members of historically marginalized communities.
Applications in Health, Human Services, and Education
For students interested in a health and human service field or education who are interested in working with ethnically diverse families and communities, the minor can provide them with the cultural, social, historical, and political knowledge needed to better address the needs of future patients, students, and clients.
Pathways to Graduate Study
This interdisciplinary program can lead students to graduate programs in Latin American and Caribbean Studies or to programs in Anthropology, Economics, History, Literature, and Political Science, for students interested in developing a regional expertise through one of these fields.
Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
National employers are seeking students with specific competencies, one of which is the ability to contribute to their business’s commitment to equity and inclusion. A Latin American and Caribbean Studies minor provides students with the skills to support equity and inclusion in their workplace and can help them become a more attractive job candidate. Learn more about these competencies.
Opportunities in Government, NGOs, and Global Business
This minor is also valuable in government, NGOs, and global business settings that engage with Latin American and Caribbean communities. It can lead to graduate study in international affairs, law, or regional studies focused on Latin America and the Caribbean.
Typical Job Titles
- Program Coordinators
- Cultural Liaisons
- International Aid Workers
- Translators
- Educators
- Immigration Advocates
"As a current Senior, I believe the LACS program has provided me with the opportunity to understand my heritage and the beauty of resistance. I decided to minor in LACS because I wanted to understand Mexican liberation movements through the lens of those oppressed and those leading such movements. Oftentimes, hegemonic powers demonize liberation movements because those movements seek to dismantle settler colonialism and capitalism. The LACS minor provided me with the truth, liberation movements are often complicated but at their core, they are powered by love and solidarity which is what imperial powers cannot take away from the beautiful people of Latin America. The LACS minor has made me grow my appreciation and love for my Mexican heritage and it has made me grown my appreciation and love for Latin America as a whole. I deeply encourage students to discover Latin America's struggle for liberation from colonization to present because it will move you."
Andreina Barajas Novoa, LACS Minor