Learning Goals

Mission Statement of Caribbean, Latin American, and Latino Studies Program

The faculty and students of the Caribbean, Latin American and Latino Studies are dedicated to foster an environment where we build knowledge of the principal cultural, intellectual, social, economic, and political currents that have contributed to the historical development of the Caribbean Latin American and Latinx experiences. We foster critical reflection about the Americas—a dynamic world region.  We take an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the region’s commonalities and diversity of history and culture while exploring current issues of power and human rights, social justice, climate change, and migration, and transnational and sexual identities. We provide an opportunity for a pluralistic exchange of ideas where we value the role of interdisciplinarity to advance comprehension of the different phenomena that Latinx and Latin American communities experience. Given the history, economic, and political importance of Latinx communities in the United States and the CLAS Program prepares students for practicamyriad careers, graduate study in numerous fields, and public service to the broader community.

As of 11/14

Through coursework and research in Caribbean and Latin American Studies students should:

1. Be familiar with the historical development of the Caribbean and South, Central, and North America to understand both the diversities and commonalities of the region and its peoples.
2. Understand the global context of which the Caribbean and Latin America are a part.
3. Understand the transnational component of migrations, cultural expressions and identities that have emerged in the region and globally.
4. Examine the relationships of the United States with the countries and peoples of the Caribbean and Latin America.
5. Be self-reflexive as residents and/or citizen of North America to be aware of their own position and how this affects their knowledge of the Caribbean and Latin America and their construction of the peoples of the region.
6. Acquire sufficient, relevant language proficiency should they study and/or conduct research in the Caribbean and Latin America.
7. Study the Caribbean and Latin America from an interdisciplinary perspective.
8. Explore the contributions Latinos have made to American artistic, economic, political and cultural production.
9. Understand the impact and importance of race as a category of social stratification and oppression in the Caribbean and South, Central, and North America, including the impact this has on Latino populations in the United States.