 Bienvenidos and welcome to Latin American Studies, the newest course offering from the NCSSM Connect program. Comprising 20 nations and a total population of nearly 600 million people, Latin America is an area of both undeniable natural beauty and cultural diversity as well as troubling socioeconomic inequality. This course will examine the rich and complex history and culture of Latin America using a variety of interdisciplinary activities and materials. By examining people groups, formative events, and cultural habits, students will form a better understanding of the processes and forces that have shaped Latin America from yesterday to today. Course topics will include Indigenous people and colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, religion and popular culture, economic development, migration and urbanization, environmental transformation, democracy and revolution, and political violence. In class, students will be expected to convey their ideas through reading, writing and discussion on a daily basis. Throughout the course, there will be an emphasis on using historical thought to examine the past and make connections to the present. Although this is an honors humanities course, there are no academic prerequisites or requirements. Instead, students will be asked to come to class with a willingness to engage over course topics and a real desire for learning. If you are interested in learning more about this diverse and vibrant part of the world, sign up for Latin American Studies today. Thank you.