Latina/o/x Studies

Undergraduate minor: Latina/o/x studies

Faculty: https://latinxstudies.uiowa.edu/people

Website: https://latinxstudies.uiowa.edu/

Latina/o/x studies offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the history, culture, politics, and experiences of the Latina/o/x population in the United States. This population is now the largest minority group in the United States, and by the year 2060, it is expected that approximately one-third of the U.S. population will be Latina/o/x. Courses in Latina/o/x studies introduce the peoples who have had a long-term presence in the United States and in the Midwest and who are increasingly neighbors, classmates, and coworkers.

The Latina/o/x studies minor helps to prepare undergraduates for careers in medicine, public health, social work, business, education, and the arts, and to respond to the changing demographics of the United States.

Latina/o/x studies is one of the academic units in the Division of Interdisciplinary Programs.

Cocurricular Activities

Latino Native American Cultural Center

Latina/o/x studies collaborates with the Latino Native American Cultural Center (LNACC). LNACC was founded in 1971 and is the home to important University of Iowa student organizations that sponsor conferences, pow-wows, study groups, and educational programs.

Unidos Living Learning Community

Latina/o/x studies works with University Housing and Dining to support the Unidos Living Learning Community. Founded in 2020, Unidos welcomes all Latinx-identifying students and those who seek to learn and engage more in the cultural background. Unidos members are required to enroll in a Latina/o/x studies course that introduces them to the minor.

Community Engagement

In addition to their instructional activity, Latina/o/x studies faculty participate in a range of public programming activities each semester, such as film series, conferences, round table discussions, and lectures. Most recently, Latina/o/x studies faculty have contributed their time and expertise in support of campus and community organizations such as Iowa Public Radio, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, the UI Latinx Council, and the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies.