Latin American and Latinx Studies at Bates
The program in Latin American and Latinx Studies offers critical perspectives through a variety of courses, including anthropology, environmental studies, gender and sexuality studies, Hispanic studies, history, politics, and more.
Our program weaves together multiple ways of understanding Latin America and its diasporas, including the many communities that existed before the United States, people who have immigrated to the United States from various parts of Latin America, and their descendants.
Contact Us
Program in Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS)
Matt Von Vogt
Pettengill Hall
Phone: 207-786-8296
mvonvogt@bates.edu
What You Will Learn
How to question assumptions and think critically
To engage thoughtfully with diverse communities
How to hone a critical perspective on a variety of topics, including colonialism, language, and economics
To contribute to research projects with professors, working hand in hand to break new ground
To attend conferences and present your findings
How indigenous populations in the Americas and people from Europe, Africa, and Asia have interacted for more than half a millennium and how these interactions have shaped our current moment
Life After Bates
Our graduates leave our program with important context about Latin America and its diasporas, which helps shape their work in a variety of fields, including social work, public health, and consulting.
94%
of 2020-2024 Bates graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school — settled into their next opportunity within 6 months of graduation.
Selected Places of Employment/Service
- Gartner
- First Republic Bank
- Teach For America
- Front Line EMS
Selected Graduate Schools
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Boston University
- Harvard University
- Georgetown University
- Simmons University
Why Study Latin American and Latinx Studies at Bates?
Our program provides an opportunity to understand the present tensions between the United States and different countries in Latin America, giving critical context to current events. Students have the chance to participate in off-campus study in Latin America or the Caribbean, allowing them to be truly immersed in what they’ve been studying and gain new understanding about these cultures. LALS also provides opportunities for students seeking to deepen their connections to their Latin American and/or Latinx heritage.