Since its inception in 1986, the Program in Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS) has offered students an opportunity to develop a more sophisticated set of understandings of the political, cultural, and economic complexity of the region and of the region’s relationships with the world.

LALS draws from the courses and methodologies of a wide range of departments and programs—Anthropology, Economics, Education, English, Geography, Hispanic Studies, History, International Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Portuguese (within the Self-Instructional Language Program), Sociology and most recently, Media Studies and Women, Feminist, and Queer Studies—to study the multiplicity of cultures of the Latinx populations of the Americas. This multidisciplinarity is reflected in the introductory course and senior seminar. Every year, a different professor assumes these classes and tailors the material to his/her area of expertise, recent scholarship, and in the case of the senior seminar, to the interests of the majors.

Because of the rotating focus of the introductory course and the multiplicity of courses that satisfy the program curriculum, majors can create their own areas of expertise within the major. Their specializations are further supported by the emphasis LALS places on the importance of study abroad. Students have traveled abroad for university study in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru, as well as with various study abroad programs focusing on topics such as anthropology, political science, public health, and social justice.

Declaring the LALS Major or Correlate

Students wishing to declare a major or correlate in LALS should review the relevant application forms below and then schedule an appointment to meet with the program director by emailing latinamstud@vassar.edu. The primary goals of this initial meeting are to discuss a student’s interest in the program, the application forms, and identify a major or correlate advisor.

Once students complete the application forms, they submit those materials to the LALS administrative assistant and program director via email. Students will then also submit an on-line declaration form to the Registrar. Students should choose the appropriate form from the list of forms on the Registrar’s website.

Students who have declared the LALS major or correlate should meet regularly with their advisor and the program director to discuss progress through the program. Any changes to a plan of study should be discussed with the LALS advisor in advance. Significant changes are reviewed by the program director.

Academic requirements and courses are available in the Vassar College Catalogue.

Major

• Latin American and Latinx Studies Major
• Latin American and Latinx Studies Major declaration form

Correlate Sequence in Latin American and Latinx Studies

• Latin American and Latinx Studies Correlate Sequence
• Latin American and Latinx Studies Correlate declaration form

Approved Courses

• Latin American and Latinx Studies Program Approved Courses