Latin American Studies

Mission Statement

Latin American Studies is the oldest multi-disciplinary Area Studies Program at St. Joseph's University. For over thirty years, the program has combined rigorous course offerings through a number of academic departments with additional learning experiences, such as public lectures and cultural activities. The number of faculty in different disciplines committed to the field; the long-standing Jesuit presence in the region; continued demand in many different areas for professionals experienced in the languages and cultures of Latin America; and strong interest among the student body and the broader community, sustain the program.

The program's goals are:

To provide students the opportunity to develop expertise in the history, literature, culture, politics and economics of the region and its constituent polities; and to become familiar with relevant theory from a variety of disciplines (e.g., economics, theology, political science, literature and cultural studies).
To develop language competence in Spanish, French, or Portuguese among those who lay claim to some understanding of the region.
To ignite long-term interest in and commitment to the region among students and the broader community.