Latin American Studies

Explore Latin American culture and history and transform your understanding of the world

As a student in the program, you’ll explore the diversity of Latin American societies, learning all about this complex and vital region of the world. You’ll delve into art, film, history, and literature, along with the social, economic, and political influences shaping the region historically and today.

The Latin American Studies curriculum includes courses such as:

Economic Development
Dictatorship and Democracy in Latin America
Introduction to Hispanic Literature
International Relations from a Latin-American Perspective
Political Issues in Latin-American Literature and Film
Students are also required to attain a basic level of Spanish language proficiency.

Like OU’s signature liberal arts foundation (the Core), the Latin American Studies minor offers a multidisciplinary framework… a thought-provoking, status-quo-challenging way to broaden your horizons and transform your understanding of the world.

Since the Latin American Studies program is interdisciplinary – and designed to be flexible – you can tailor the minor to support and complement your major course of study, whether that’s art, art history, economics, international studies, history, political science, Spanish language, literature, an individually planned major, or anything else.

Real-World Experience
Life After Oglethorpe
Degree Requirements & Courses

Interdisciplinary also means immersive. At OU, students explore every subject from multiple angles – including the practical and hands-on.

OU’s nurturing environment is focused on the individual, offering students plenty of opportunities to design their own research projects. Recently our students presented their work on fiction and film, and the military dictatorships of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, at Oglethorpe’s Liberal Arts and Sciences Symposium.

Internships help integrate theory and practice – and look great on your resume. Students have completed internships at organizations like the Carter Center (where they’ve helped support the Center’s programs for peace, health, and international human rights), and the Latin American Association (which develops resources for Atlanta’s local Hispanic communities, focusing on youth and family services, employment assistance, language instruction and translation).

Take advantage of opportunities for study abroad, and you’ll expand your horizons and improve your language skills. Oglethorpe partners with several outstanding institutions in Latin America, including Universidad de Belgrano (Argentina), the Universidad de San Francisco de Quito (Ecuador), and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (Mexico). Recently, a professor led students on an educational trip to Cuba during winter break.

Your career options will depend a lot on your major. Whatever you choose as your primary course of study, the minor in Latin American Studies is a strong addition. With this practical and highly relevant body of knowledge and accompanying skill set, you’ll be in greater demand in whatever field you choose to pursue your dreams.

With a minor in Latin American Studies, you’ll be well-positioned for a career in education, translation and interpretation, international business or nonprofit organizations, or the Foreign Service. (One alum who pursued similar coursework is now working at the Carter Center.) Or, continue to refine your expertise with a graduate degree in a related subject.

See degree requirements and course descriptions in the University Bulletin.

Learn about yourself and the world

Plan your perfect trip with help from the advisors in Global Education. They’ll coach you through the easy steps to study abroad and answer your questions about the unique travel experiences offered through our global study partner, LeadAbroad. Some trips even offer course credit, so you can enjoy global adventures and still graduate on time!