What is Latina and Latino Studies?

Latina/o Studies is an interdisciplinary field that critically analyzes the local, national, and hemispheric importance of the Latino/s in the U.S. It draws from a variety of established disciplinary methods, including social sciences, history, and literary and cultural studies. It traces the birth and transformation of Latino communities within American society from the colonial period to the present. The field comparatively studies U.S. and Latin American contexts, and engages multilingual aspects of Latino culture. The field also studies the sociocultural experiences and cultural production of Latinas and Latinos. It serves as a bridge between the academic and non-academic worlds in order to understand the complexity of all the Latino national groups: scholars of the field often both document and engage with the struggles and political activism of Latino/as in their search for equality, representation, and social justice. (An area of local interest is the growth of immigrant populations in Pennsylvania.)

 

Latina Latino Studies Minor

You might like this program if...

  • You want to study the history and culture of Latino communities in the U.S., which constitute the fastest growing minority in American society.
  • You want to put into dialogue different disciplines and approaches to study the phenomenon of “Latinidad.”
  • You value bilingualism and multilingualism.
  • You appreciate Latino literature, arts, and culture.
  • You believe that colleges and universities should engage with Latino communities in order to better understand their different problematics and propose innovative projects.

 

Program Description

This minor in Latina and Latino Studies offers students across the University an opportunity to learn about the diverse histories, cultures, politics, migration patterns, and other aspects of Latina/o populations in the United States. Classes will be offered on:

  • Latino history;
  • the artistic achievements of Latinas/os in popular culture, literature, theatre, film, and television;
  • the migratory flows of Latina/o populations;
  • education;
  • other issues related to language and identity; and
  • family issues.

These courses demonstrate that studying Latina/o social formations is a critical component of understanding the social fabric of the U.S. as well as the U.S. presence in Latin America and the complex phenomenon of globalization. Although the emphasis of Latina/o Studies is on the U.S., the role of Latina/o immigration within wider shifts related to globalization requires an understanding of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.

 

Contact Dr. Sarah L. Pierotti with interest in this minor at [email protected] or (814) 375-4852.