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Latin American Studies
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary major for students who want a basic understanding of Latin America. It is one of the few majors at Penn State that deals primarily with a geographic area.
Courses covered within the major include anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and Spanish or Portuguese. The major is designed so that it may easily be combined with a second major in a specific discipline.
The Latin American Studies program offers an interdisciplinary minor for students enrolled in other academic majors.
RELATED EXPERIENCES
Opportunities exist to participate in education abroad programs in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and, through the Big Ten Consortium, in various other Latin American countries. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in organizational activities relevant to their interests.
CAREER DIRECTIONS
Students who combine Latin American Studies with economics, political science, or labor studies may find jobs in large American corporations with Latin American operations. Other employment opportunities exist within federal government agencies such as the National Security Agency, International Communications Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and State Department.
An advanced degree greatly increases career opportunities; many Latin American Studies majors go on to graduate school. Some occupations in which Latin American Studies graduates are employed include: corporate/government relations specialist, foreign trade administrator, government information analyst, international marketing representative, university professor, and museum curator.