Latin American and Caribbean Studies
The Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) offers students the option of adding a regional specialization to their primary studies. It explores, through a rich tradition of world-class cultural products, the question of Latin American and Caribbean identities, and studies the notion of collective memory and cultural trauma as they shape North American Latinx diaspora.
Doctoral and master's (thesis or MRP) students wishing to undertake graduate studies with emphasis on Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) will be admitted by a participating program and will register in both the participating program and in the collaborative specialization.
The participating academic programs are:
- English (MA)
- Literary Studies/Theatre Studies in English (PhD)
- Political Science (MA and PhD)
- Public Issues Anthropology (MA)
- Rural Studies (PhD)
- Social Practice and Transformational Change (PhD)
- Sociology (MA and PhD)
Admission Requirements
Master’s and doctoral students in the Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies must meet the admission requirements of the participating program in which they are enrolled.
Students interested in the Latin American and Caribbean Studies collaborative specialization must provide a statement of intent that explains how their research ideas fit with the Latin American and Caribbean Studies specialization and how their background and interests will contribute to the vitality of the specialization.
All applications to participate in the Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies will be reviewed by the specialization’s Graduate Curriculum Committee.
Master’s Program Requirements
Master’s students in the Collaborative Specialization in LACS must complete the following two core courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LACS*6010 | Latin American and Caribbean Identity and Culture | 0.50 |
| LACS*6020 | Re-Imagining Latin American, Latino and Caribbean Communities | 0.50 |
Whether completing a major research paper or thesis, 30% of students’ final projects must discuss Latin American and Caribbean topics. At least one member of the student’s advisory committee must be a core graduate faculty member of the Collaborative Specialization in LACS.
The required courses of this collaborative specialization may be counted as electives in the student’s home program.
Doctoral Program Requirements
Doctoral students in the Collaborative Specialization in LACS must complete the following two courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LACS*6010 | Latin American and Caribbean Identity and Culture | 0.50 |
| LACS*6020 | Re-Imagining Latin American, Latino and Caribbean Communities | 0.50 |
Doctoral theses must place a substantial emphasis the study of Latin American and Caribbean issues. At least one member of the student’s advisory committee must be a core graduate faculty member of the Collaborative Specialization in LACS.
The required courses of this collaborative specialization may be counted as electives in the student’s home program.