Our Mission Statement

With the Jesuit holistic approach to learning as its foundation, students in Loyola University Chicago's interdisciplinary Latin American and Latin@ Studies Program (LALSP) examine Latin American heritage, history, institutions, ideas, languages, literatures and customs through the lens of an intellectual, moral, and ethical framework.

Students gain appreciation for the cultural diversity of Latin America by studying several disciplines such as anthropology, communication, fine arts, history, modern languages and literatures, philosophy, political science, and theology. Students also develop knowledge about key Latin American issues, including social injustice, mestizaje, neocolonialism, political oppression, grassroots movements, popular culture, and resistance.

Latin Americans and Latinos influence culture, education, politics, media, and the work force in the U.S. and around the world. Therefore, an understanding of Latin America is beneficial for professionals in business, communication, education, government service, journalism, law, medicine, pastoral studies, social work, and the arts.