The Latin American Studies Program offers students at St. Olaf an academic structure for the systematic study of Latin America and Spain. These two areas, unified by elements of a common heritage, are markedly different. Even within the Latin American region, profound geographic variations, the meeting of Latin American and Indian cultures, and differing economic resources have contributed to the development of individual countries with highly distinctive characteristics. Such diverse and complex societies afford challenging opportunities for interdisciplinary study.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Latin American Studies major enables students to pursue a specific area focus (the Spanish-speaking world) from the perspectives afforded by a number of disciplines.
Students may also elect to pursue a concentration in Latin American/Latino Studies.