Kansas University is offering a new minor for those interested in how the United States is affected by its growing Hispanic population.

The Latino studies minor, hosted by the American studies program, will include a variety of disciplines including anthropology, English, political science, Spanish and Portuguese, social welfare, sociology, geography, history and Latin American studies.

Marta Caminero-Santangelo, associate professor of English, helped spearhead the new program. She said it was important for students to have a grasp on how the country was changing because of the large influx of Hispanics.

“I think it’s not just relevant but it’s crucial,” Caminero-Santangelo said. “Immigration politics are a huge part of this year’s election.”

Students take four courses that focus on Hispanics in the United States, she said, and two electives focused on either race relations or Latin American studies.

Joseph Steinmetz, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said in a statement that the new minor showed KU was working to keep its areas of study relevant.