Latin American Studies Major

Study the people and culture of Latin America through its history, literature, politics and economy. Then, gain first-hand experience through study abroad.

The Latin American Studies (LAS) major explores Latin American culture through language study, the humanities and the social sciences. Core courses in history, literature and politics will give you a base for understanding the life of the region.

Then, you’ll take five courses in a more narrowly focused track, choosing from Gender and Sexuality, Race and Ethnicity, Politics and International Relations, History, Literature and Cultural Studies and the Latin American Diaspora.

Two years of Spanish language and a semester of study abroad in Central or South America are required, as is a senior exercise.

In class with Professor Miguel Tinker Salas
In class with Professor Miguel Tinker Salas
In class with Professor April Mayes
In class with Professor April Mayes

What You’ll Study

    • Latin American culture and people
    • History of the region
    • Representations in literature or film
    • Spanish language
    • A specialized track of your choosing
30
Latin American Studies courses offered across The Claremont Colleges

Researching at Pomona

Alfredo Moreno ’22

Fighting the Trope of the “Corrupt Banana Republic”

For a summer internship, Alfredo Moreno ’22 researched and wrote stories about the resilience and resistance of Central Americans.

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Alfredo Moreno ’22
Alfredo E. Romero ’22

I absolutely enjoy the flexibility that I have with this major. The courses required for the major are simple. Don’t be fooled, however, because the classes are rigorous. This is expected since we are studying an entire hemisphere (studying Latin America and the Caribbean intrinsically means studying the United States). This in itself comes with the advantage of approaching my work from the point of view of various disciplines—philosophy, history, politics, public health, art to name a few. Truly a 47-in-1 major!

Faculty & Teaching

Our affiliated Latin American Studies faculty have a wide range of expertise including Latin American and Caribbean history, literature, culture, the politics of Mexico and Venezuela, U.S.-Latin American relations, Afro-Latin America, slavery in the Americas, and Chicanas/os and Latinas/os in the United States.

Professor Miguel Tinker Salas

In the past two decades, Latin America has reasserted its role on the world stage challenging traditional interpretations of the region. The Latin American Studies major provides student with the tools to analyze one of the most dynamic and ever-changing regions of the world that is increasingly no longer defined by traditional political borders.