Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies
Take me to the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies
The Field
Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies provides a comprehensive view of the region from the perspectives of anthropology, geography, political science, economics, Spanish and Portuguese literatures, communication, history, sociology, and other fields. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the university’s study abroad programs in Latin America and to spend a summer, semester or year abroad.
The Certificate
The undergraduate Certificate Program enables students, regardless of their major, to develop a concentration in Latin American/Latino Studies as a supplement to their regular studies. Students study the Latin American area from diverse perspectives, culminating in an integrating interdisciplinary seminar in the senior year. Two tracks within the Certificate Program emphasize either language proficiency or area studies. Students should contact Dr. Gloria Bernabe-Ramos, associate director of the Latin American Studies Program (928 Thompson Hall, tel. 545.4868) to sign up and for advising.
Requirements may be satisfied by both regular course offerings and special topics and seminars. A list of available courses that may be used to fulfill the requirements is compiled every semester, and may be obtained at the Program office. It typically includes offerings in Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Latin American Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Portuguese, Sociology, Spanish, and Women’s Studies. Appropriate courses from the Five College offerings may also be used to fulfill requirements. See the online catalogue for details.
The Minor
The Minor in Latin American Studies, which does not replace the Certificate, is intended for students who do not have the language competence required for the Certificate, but who are interested in developing an area specialization for their majors. Requirements include a minimum of six 3-credit courses selected from at least three distinct approved disciplines, with no more than two from any one discipline. Students certain of their career goals may wish to concentrate on earning an interdisciplinary baccalaureate degree in Latin American Studies instead of a regular discipline. For the student whose future work will be entirely in Latin America or who intends to enter an interdisciplinary postgraduate Latin American Studies program, it is possible to major in Latin American Studies through the UMass Amherst’s Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) Program.
The Future
This concentration has proved very helpful in preparing students for work with U.S. governmental agencies (State Department, Foreign Service, U.S. Information Service, Agency for International Development, etc.); international development organizations (Organization of American States, Inter-American Development Bank); multinational corporations with branches in Latin America; and domestic, state and local agencies serving Hispanics. For some jobs, additional graduate work in either Latin American Studies or a traditional discipline may be necessary. Many students go on to pursue MA or PhD degrees.
Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies; 413.545.4648
