Overview
What is the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx studies (LALS)?
The Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS) highlights connections across the length of the Americas—with locales in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America—in areas of enormous geographical, ecological, historical, and cultural diversity.
Learning Outcomes
Experiential Learning
The LALS Minor provides undergraduate students with experiential learning experiences that forge connections across the length of the continent of which McMaster is part.
Essential Skills
The LALS Minor also provides students with essential skills and knowledge to be engaged citizens of the world through a focus on Latin American and Latinx spaces, and their multiple diasporic locations across the globe, with a marked focus on Canada.
Broadening Knowledge
The LALS Minor exposes students to methodologies, approaches, and theoretical frameworks through which to understand: “What is Latin America?” “What are Latin American Studies?” and “What are Latinx Studies?”
FAQs
Latin American Studies refers to the interdisciplinary approaches used to explore the histories, linguistic traditions, literatures, cultures, societies, geographies, environments and climate change, medical and health systems, archaeologies, innovative social systems, economics, social work, identifies, migrations and diasporas of Latin America and its peoples
Latinx Studies refers to the interdisciplinary approaches used to experiences the histories, migration patters, race and ethnicities, identify-formation, geographies and environments, health, and experiences of the Latinx/Latin American communities inhabiting diasporic locations in Canada and elsewhere in the world.
Pursuing an interdisciplinary minor comes with many benefits, including:
- Cultivating a sense of community and belonging;
- Diversifying your academic journey;
- Gaining transferable skills;
- Collaborating with community partners;
- Gaining a global perspective;
- Sharpening critical thinking skills.
The interdisciplinary minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies is open to students in ALL undergraduate programs at McMaster. Diversify your academic journey and make your CV stand out.
Requirements
LALS Minor – Requirements
For the most up-to-date requirements, please visit the link to this year’s Academic Calendar.
Questions can be sent to latam@mcmaster.ca
Course Substitution
LALS Minor: Request a Course Substitution.
If you have taken a course where the content is aligned with Latin America & Latinx Studies but it’s not on the course list, you may want to request a course substitution!
Testimonials
Read what our students have to say!
Sofia Palma Florido
Program: Health and Society
“Through the Latin America and Latinx Studies minor you will be able to explore the histories, languages, literatures, cultures, societies, environments and more of Latin America and its people! Whether you are from Latin America or from another place of the world, being an engaged citizen of this world is an essential skill”
Daniel Yanes Alvarenga
Program: Honours Political Science Specialization in Public Law and Judicial Studies
“I joined the minor because representation is important; ¡orgullosamente salvadoreño y guatemalteco! The LALS minor allows me to learn about my culture formally, a reality that Canadian institutions have profoundly overlooked, playing an essential part in my identity and studies”
Danielle Berges Santana
Program: Honours Political Science Specialization in Global Citizenship
“I decided to pursue this interdisciplinary minor because after taking LATAM 2A03, I chose to embark on a journey of deconstruction and inquiry into the history of Latin America. As a Latin American, I feel that I have learned a lot, and I have changed many harmful narratives that formed my understanding of the region”
Angelica Batista Reyes
Program: Political Science with a Specialization in Public Law and Judicial Studies
“I am pursuing this interdisciplinary minor to reconnect with my cultural roots and gain a more nuanced understanding of the histories, traditions, and perspectives distinctive to Latin America and its diaspora. In embarking this academic journey, I aim to challenge false narratives and proclaim the diverse voices that often go unheard”
Daniela Benitez-Alvarez
Program: Political Science Specialization in Public Law and Judicial Studies
“I am minoring in Latin American and Latinx studies because I want to interact with other students who share my background and learn more about my culture! As someone who has never felt that their ethnic background is fully represented in higher education, this minor is an incredible opportunity to further explore”
Caroline Soler
Program: Integrated Business and Humanities
“I chose to pursue the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies to further understand my own cultural heritage from an academic standpoint, while simultaneously gaining insights from my bright and impactful peers and professors into the diverse stories, traditions, and experiences that shape the vibrant Latinx community both at McMaster University and on a global scale”
Jeisy Avalos
Program: Honours Sociology
“I am completing the Interdisciplinary Minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies because I wanted to find a way to get in touch with my own culture while also connecting with others who share the same sentiments and interests. By taking just the introductory courses, I discovered the vastness of Latin American and Latinx Studies while also gaining valuable critical analytical skills which I have been able to use throughout my academic journey”