The Latin American Studies Records consist of materials related to the interdisciplinary Latin American Area Studies Program at South Dakota State University. The collection includes issues of Latin American Area Studies News, documents from the South Dakota chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (La Llunura), course materials for LAAS 302 (Latin American Politics), and general administrative or promotional items concerning the program. These materials reflect the program’s efforts to foster cross-disciplinary engagement and highlight Latin American social, political, and cultural issues through teaching, outreach, and academic communication.
This collection documents the early development and outreach of the Latin American Area Studies Program at SDSU, which was established in the 1970s to support interdisciplinary education and international awareness. The materials illustrate the program's vocational and educational goals, its integration with various academic disciplines, and its role in preparing students for careers involving Latin America. The presence of course materials and newsletters provides insight into the program’s curriculum, faculty interests, and community engagement over time.
