Latin American Studies

William H. Gass Professor in Arts & Sciences: Mabel Morana

Home Page: http://latinamericanstudiesprogram.com/

Latin America is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting and challenging fields of study in today's academe. While social inequalities, economic dependency and political struggles are undeniable in the region, Latin American countries persevere in the creative search for real emancipation and in the defense of democratic institutions and national sovereignty. At the same time, the vitality and diversity of Latin American cultures give continuous evidence of the rich social interactions that combine Afro-Hispanic, Indigenous, and European traditions, in a unique heterogeneous mixture. Washington University's strong commitment to international studies focuses on Latin America -as well as on many other areas of the world- through the work of an impressive group of scholars interested in interdisciplinary analysis, field work, and innovative theoretical perspectives. Graduate and undergraduate students are increasingly drawn to the study of Latin America, where the local and the global, the modern and the traditional intersect. The Latin American Studies at Washington University provides an exciting academic and intellectual platform for the study of Latin American cultures, from pre-Hispanic times to the present. Through interdisciplinary courses, lectures, international conferences, film series, and colloquia, the program offers a challenging and exciting combination of historic, political, economic, anthropological, and literary approaches to the study of national cultures and societies in the region. The program also provides multiple avenues for cultural exchange such as study abroad programs, internships, and the like. The LAS at Washington University constitutes, then, an organic attempt to contribute to the understanding of Latin America's important role in a globalized world, and to the dissemination of Latin America's multicultural legacy across the limits of conventional borders.

News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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Fuentes to "celebrate Cervantes and Don Quixote" Prominent Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes to speak Sept. 28, 2005 -- Influential Mexican literary and political figure Carlos Fuentes will deliver the Association of Latin American Students Lecture for Washington University's Assembly Series at 11 a.m. on Oct. 12. in Graham Chapel. His talk, which is free and open to the public, is titled "Celebrating Cervantes and Don Quixote."

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