Why Would You Choose To Take Latino Studies
There are over 50 million Latino’s living in the United States today and by 2050 the population could rise to 76 million. That’s around 1 in 4. As the USA populous continues to change there is an ever-growing need to be able to understand the significant social change factors that immigrants and their children bring to the nation. This need for change is evident as colleges and schools have begun to, and continue to, adapt in order to accommodate this shift in dynamics. Having an understanding of Latino people, their culture their ancestry, and their experiences are paramount and this is why the academic discipline of Latino studies has come about.
In essence Latino studies tries to look at the experiences of Latino people and their Hispanic ancestry as it relates to the USA. It is similar to studies in other fields such as Native American Studies, African American Studies and Asian American Studies as it critically examines the experiences, politics, history and culture of the Hispanic people. It does this by drawing on numerous academic disciplines such as literature, history, religious studies, political science and sociology.
Hispanic heritage in the US goes way back. For instance when the pilgrim fathers discovered Plymouth in 1620, settlements such as St Augustine in Florida were already celebrating their 55th year, and Santa Fe was ten years old at this point also. These were both founded by Spanish explorers. As small pockets of Spanish settlements continued to spread across the southwest some Latino’s can trace their forebears back to this point in history.
In the modern age, courses in Latino studies can be related to everyday professions such as business, law, medicine, science and engineering and is crucial in understanding how Latino’s live and work. There are a myriad of courses a student can take and here is an overview of just a few.
Introduction to Latino’s in America
This course examines the sociology behind the Latino existence in America and examines the historical and political foundations
The Spirituality of Latino’s
The course explores the origins of the US Latino Spirituality by looking at the devotions, rituals of the people and feasts.
The Ancient To Modern History Of Latino Print making
Latino print making can be traced back to the 14th century, and this course will provide an in depth look at its roots, right up to the present day.
Latino’s in education
This course examines the struggles that Latino’s have had to face within US private and public education. Students will study events by looking at legal, social, and historical perspectives.
International Migration studies
This course takes an in depth look at various immigration patterns to the US by Latino’s and why they occurred. It also looks at the flood of immigration that is happening presently from Mexico and Central America and the social and economic implications that precede it.
On the whole the Hispanic population is set to almost double in the next 30 – 40 years and Latino studies give people the correct knowledge so that they are more informed about how to adapt to an ever-changing multicultural population that is fast becoming the new United States.