Latin American Studies

History & Literature’s field of Latin American Studies gives students the opportunity to study the history and literature of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Brazil and the Southern Cone in a global context. Students explore topics such as indigenous cultures, conquest and colonization, global latinidad, migration, diaspora, colonial institutions, literary documents such as crónicas and poetry, independence movements, novels and poetry of the period of national self-definition, and the role of these cultures in the history and literature of the twentieth century.

In addition to the requirements for all concentrators (5 tutorials and 1 course that satisfies the language requirement), students in the Latin American Studies field complete the following requirements:

  • 1 survey course on Latin America (the course should cover at least 100 years);
  • 2 courses (1 history and 1 literature) on empire, diaspora, or transnational or comparative topics;
  • 1 course focused on a period before 1900;
  • 4 elective courses in Latin American Studies, balanced between history and literature.

Browse our list of Courses That Count for Latin American Studies, and use the Latin American Studies Field Worksheet to plot your course of study. 

Students interested in studying Latinx topics may do so in the Latin American Studies field or in Ethnic Studies or American Studies. Please be in touch with Assistant Directors of Studies Angela Allan or Briana Smith.

Other questions about the Latin American Studies field should be directed to Assistant Director of Studies Laura Quinton.