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About
CLACS has been a nationally and internationally recognized area studies center since 1963. CLACS' long-term standing as a U.S. Department of Education Title VI Area Studies Center highlights a tradition of excellence. CLACS coordinates interdisciplinary research, education and outreach. In addition to offering a graduate certificate in Latin American studies, as well as both a major and a specialization at the undergraduate level, CLACS reaches a large and diverse student body representing 11 colleges and 39 departments. Recently, CLACS formed a consortium with the University of Notre Dame, Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies to enhance and diversify our mutual teaching, research and outreach missions.
Highlights & Intitiatives
CLACS Undergraduate Conference: This conference offers students from multiple disciplines an opportunity to present their scholarship. |
- Health and Epidemiological Issues in Central America:
- A multidisciplinary and international project studying health issues.
- National LCTL Conference for Title VI Centers:
- CLACS coordinates the teaching of less commonly taught languages.
- Sustainable Development and Conservation in Latin America: Faculty from a wide range of disciplines and departments conduct research on sustainable development and conservation throughout the region.
- Multiple Linkage Agreements: Research with Latin American institutes and scholars on a wide range of topics and issues throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Press Freedom and Human Rights in Latin America: A project and conference for journalists from the US and Latin America.
- Brazil Initiative: Promotes the study of Brazil and the Portuguese language, and supports existing linkages and dual degree programs with Brazilian universities..
- Communication Arts and Sciences Latin America and Mexico Initiative: Develops research, teaching, and outreach on communication and journalism issues on health, security, and media studies.
- Atlantic History Workshops: This series of workshops, co-sponsored with the University of Michigan provides a forum for discussing trends in research and scholarship.
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Undergraduate Studies
The CLACS Undergraduate Specialization provides students with the opportunity to design a multidisciplinary program of study that is tailored to individual interests in the region and complements the student's major field of study. When completed, the specialization is designated on the student's transcript.
Global and Areas Studies (GLAS-LA) Major is a new major in the College of Social Science that focuses on the study of global systems and processes as they are expressed in local places. The major offers a concentration in Latin American and Caribbean Studies that will expand the options available for undergraduate students. Advanced Seminar Lecture Series provides weekly lectures by Latin Americanists and Caribbeanist scholars on a range of current interdisciplinary topics. The seminar series is open to the public and also serves as the GLAS-LA capstone course for the specialization program. Study Abroad: MSU is ranked first in the nation in Study Abroad opportunities, 29 of which are to Latin America & the Caribbean. Study Abroad opportunities include courses offered through professional schools.
Graduate Studies
MSU offers opportunities for graduate studies in a wide variety of academic departments and professional schools. More than 140 MSU faculty members are specialists in the region with particular strengths in geography, history, Spanish and Portuguese, natural resources, agriculture, and music.
Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies:
The Certificate is designed to complement a student's masters or doctoral program. This certificate indicates a student's knowledge of, competency in, and understanding of the region.
CLACS supports graduate student research with Tinker Field Research Grants, and the MSU Predissertation Travel Fellowships, and supports applications to work in Latin America from Fulbright-Hays, the Inter-American Foundation, Tinker Foundation, the National Science Foundation, Fulbright IIE, Social Science Research Council, the Organization of American States, as well as Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships for language study.
Faculty
CLACS core faculty offer expertise in diverse disciplines and range of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. CLACS has particular faculty expertise in Brazil, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Many core faculty are recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in their fields, with particular strengths in geography, history, Spanish and Portuguese, natural resources, agriculture, and music.
Language Offerings
MSU offers Spanish at all levels and four years of training in Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Paraguayan Guaraní. This compliment of language instruction enables MSU students to conduct research in the vast majority of regions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Outreach & Service |
- The Latin America School and Educational Resources (LASER) website provides electronic educational resources to K-12 educators and students (www.laser.msu.edu). LASER includes country fact sheets, current events from world newspapers, essays, curricular resources (lessons, modules, activities), an image gallery, and links to exemplary educational websites.
- Linking All Types of Teachers to International Cross-Cultural Education (LATTICE) provides professional development, teaching resources, and networking for teachers of all levels.
- Midwest Institute for International Intercultural Education (MIIIE): CLACS conducts community college outreach in collaboration with the MIIIE, a consortium of 80 Michigan community colleges.
- Consulting: CLACS regularly provides consulting for media, policy makers, businesses, and other professionals.
- Video/DVD Collection: Video/DVD collection for use by instructors.
- MSU Libraries' Latin American and Caribbean Studies collection supports the research and instructional needs of faculty and students. Mary Jo Zeter is the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Bibliographer (www.lib.msu.edu/zeter).
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