Latin American Studies Minor

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES MINOR
Coordinator: Joel Stillerman, 2166 ASH, 616-331-3129

Latin American Studies offers a flexible, interdisciplinary minor that works well with many majors, including: Spanish, English, Liberal Studies, International Relations, Business and International Business, Anthropology, Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Work, Nursing, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Why minor in LAS? What kind of knowledge and training will help my career?
Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States.
Latin American countries are major trading partners with the US and Michigan.
To understand U.S. history and foreign policy, you need knowledge of Latin America.
Knowledge of Spanish is now necessary for key jobs in the human services, criminal justice, healthcare, business, government, hospitality and international work.
LAS promotes direct knowledge of Latin America through study abroad or internships.
The program sponsors a rich variety of academic and artistic events on campus.
LAS supports a career working with Latin Americans or with Latinos in the U.S.
The program fosters involvement with Latino student groups as well as local Latino businesses and social service agencies, helping build experience and contacts.

The minor consists of 21 credit hours, including:
A three course core:
a. LAS 210 Exploring Latin America
b. LAS 374 Revolution in the Americas
c. Spanish 202 Intermediate Spanish II or higher (or equivalent knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese).
2) Four electives selected in consultation with an LAS faculty advisor (listed below). Eligible courses focus on Latin America as well as Latinos in the U.S.

How can I get started?
Check out our website: www.gvsu.edu/las
Register for the LAS 210 course for the 07-08 academic year.
Satisfy your General Education credits, including Cultural Emphasis and Theme “Continuity and Change in the Americas” (formerly “Revolution and Evolution in the Americas”).
Consult faculty advisors from across campus to plan your courses:
Joel Stillerman (SOC, Coordinator); Russell Rhoads, Cindy Hull (ANT); Gabriela Pozzi, Yvette Fuentes, Khedija Gadhoum, Zulema Moret, Keith Watts, Michael Vrooman (SPA); Jim Penn (GPY); David Stark, Cliff Welch (HST)
Contact the Padnos International Center (PIC) about study abroad in Latin America.
Pick up an LAS Minor brochure at the Area Studies Center, 117 LOH.
Leave your name, address, and phone number with Barb Blankemeier, Office Coordinator, Area Studies Center, 616 331-8110, email: blankemb@gvsu.edu