Mission Statement The Latin American and Latino Studies Program explores the cultural contributions of Latin America to the global community and highlights perspectives and traditions that have developed in the region. It analyzes the multicultural character of the peoples of Latin America by calling attention to the complex interplay between Indigenous, European and African societies in the region. It explores the profound linkages that have emerged between Latin America and the United States, particularly through the construction of Latino communities in the U.S. This program explores the cultural contributions of Latin America to the global community and highlights the intellectual perspectives and traditions that emanate from the region. The program offers an analysis of Latin America's history, its political, social and economic characteristics, and its languages and other forms of cultural expression. Latin American/Latino Studies is designed to deepen interdisciplinary and multicultural understanding at DePaul University No one discipline or department can do justice to the social and cultural complexity of Latin America. Only by exploring the region through the optic of many disciplines can we hope to interpret the Latin American experience with rigor and depth. To this end, our program draws on courses from many departments (Art/Art History, Education, English, History, International Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Modern Languages). Students are also encouraged to participate in either DePaul's Foreign Study Program in Mérida, Mexico or in other study abroad program in Latin America. Among their various virtues, foreign study programs are inherently interdisciplinary. The program is built around four core courses (three introductory and one capstone) which are designed by teams of faculty members from a range of disciplines. These core courses provide a systematically interdisciplinary vision of the principal topics covered in the program. Latin American/Latino Studies faculty works together to identify themes and readings that are appropriate for these courses. The capstone course encourages students to pull together the strands of the program in a unique way by defining and designing their own culminating research project or internship/service experience. Latin American/Latino Studies offers important opportunities to students and faculty who are attempting to deepen their multicultural understanding. First, the people of this region are themselves multicultural, having emerged from the centuries of interactions among a range of indigenous, European and African societies. Through its own history, Latin American literally embodies the tensions and opportunities inherent in cultural diversity. In addition, study of this region highlights interactions between Latin America and the United States and explores the experiences of Latin Americans and their descendents within the United States. As with other programs that focus on multiculturalism, Latin American/Latino Studies encourages students to reflect on the intersection between "knowledge" and power. It self-consciously explores ways in which power imbalances (between dominant and subordinate groups in Latin America and between the U.S. and Latin America as a whole) affect scholars' receptivity to and interpretation of information about the region. This program does not use traditional geographical boundaries to define the Latin American region. A significant part of Latin America's population lives outside the formal borders of Latin America; an estimated 36 million Latin Americans and their descendents live in the United States. Much of this transnational population has strong cultural roots in Latin America. Latin Americans and their descendents abroad both draw upon and contribute to the dynamic development of Latin American cultural identity. Full understanding of Latin America requires careful exploration of Latin American communities regardless of national contexts Latin American/Latino Studies at DePaul is designed to challenge stereotypes and promote critical thinking among both students and faculty. By engaging normative questions and promoting public service experiences for our students, we seek to help students build an ethical framework and strong sense of social responsibility. We recognize that there are alternative perspectives on many issues engaged in this program, and we welcome legitimate debate. Differences of opinion exist within the faculty and among our students about the nature of Latin American identity and the appropriate ways to pursue change in the region. This diversity enriches our inquiry and our deliberations. Students in this program will need to develop special cultural and linguistic literacy. All majors are required to complete instruction in the Spanish Language through the intermediate level. Through their capstone course, students define their personal goals for the major and begin to move toward postgraduate objectives. These activities should help to prepare students for careers or postgraduate work in community development, government, teaching, or business with a Latin American orientation. Many students in this program will continue on to pursue professional or graduate education in law, business or liberal arts. Students who are Latin American or Latin American descent are encouraged to explore their own rich heritage through this program. Students who are not of Latin American descent will strengthen their cultural dexterity and deepen their insight into the Latin American experience through their participation in this program.