Overview

Founded in 1930, the Center for Latin American Studies aims to advance knowledge about Latin America and the Caribbean and to enhance the scope and quality of Latin American studies at the University of Florida.

To this end, the center offers interdisciplinary academic programs in Latin American studies; conducts outreach activities that enrich the intellectual and cultural lives of UF students, faculty and staff, and the local community (e.g., Annual Conference, Colloquium, Latino Film Series, LatinAmericanist newsletter, educational K-12 outreach services); and cooperates with other university units in overseas study, research and training programs. Most of these programs are open to undergraduates.

The center has a director and 20 core faculty members with expertise in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. In addition, the center draws on the expertise of more than 160 distinguished faculty affiliates from colleges and professional schools across campus. These faculty teach more than 375 undergraduate and graduate courses available to undergraduates in Latin American and Caribbean studies.

Back to Top ^

Academic Programs

The Center for Latin American Studies offers a minor and a certificate program for undergraduates who are interested in Latin America and/or the Caribbean and who intend to pursue graduate studies or a career in Latin American or Caribbean-related business, government service or teaching. An interdisciplinary studies (IDS) major in Latin American studies is available through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The minor requires 15 credit hours of courses outside the student's department major's courses, and it will appear on the student's transcript. The certificate in LAS is awarded by the center to acknowledge a Latin American or Caribbean-area concentration within the student's major and general course of study. All course work on Latin America and related fields, including several courses in the student's major and/or minor may count toward the certificate, and a student can receive both a minor and a certificate in Latin American Studies.

For more information, refer to Center for Latin American Studies, Grinter Hall, Room 319, 352-392-0375, ext. 807. Students interested in the minor, certificate or major should contact the center's undergraduate adviser, Richmond Brown, at rfbrown@latam.ufl.edu.

Back to Top ^

Study in Latin America

Candidates for both the minor and the certificate are encouraged to spend a summer, a semester or an academic year studying in a Latin American country. UF sponsors study abroad programs for undergraduates in several Latin American countries in a variety of disciplines and lengths. Options include study tours of one to two weeks, summer programs of six weeks and semester-length exchanges during fall or spring. UF programs are currently available in Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. Students in almost any major can find a program that will fit their interests.

Courses taken in UF-sponsored study abroad programs can count toward the minor or certificate in Latin American studies. Credits obtained from study abroad programs sponsored by other institutions and transferred to UF may be applied to the minor or certificate with prior approval from the UF International Center (UFIC), the student’s major department, and the undergraduate adviser at the Center for Latin American Studies.

For further information on study abroad oportunities, contact Study Abroad Services at the UF International Center.

Back to Top ^