Professors To Consider Track in Latin American Studies

A small group of Faculty will meet later this month to discuss creating a new Latin American studies track that would be part of the existing Romance Languages and Literatures concentration.

The potential new track--which is still in the earliest stages of development--seeks to accommodate what some Faculty members have seen as a growing student interest in the field, according to Professor of Romance Languages Bradley S. Epps.

"These initiatives are responding to students' needs," said Epps, who is part of the cross-departmental group of scholars advancing the idea.

Currently, undergraduates who are interested in Latin American studies have the option of obtaining a certificate in Latin American Studies from the Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, but have no formal avenue for study through a particular concentration.

In order to qualify for the certificate, a student must complete a language requirement, courses on Latin America and write a thesis on a topic concerning Latin America.

A new track in Latin American Studies, as it is envisioned, would be an additional track for students within the romance languages concentration.

The concentration already has tracks for French and Francophone literature, French and Francophone studies, Hispanic literature, Hispanic studies, Italian literature, Italian studies, Portuguese and Brazilian literature, Portuguese and Brazilian studies and romance studies.

According to Stephen J. Reifenberg, executive director of the Rockefeller Center, the current level of student participation in the center's Latin American studies certificate program suggests there is enough interest to support the potential track.

Reifenberg estimated that between 50 and 60 students are participating in the certificate program this year.

Former RAZA President Monica M. Ramirez '01 said although she had not heard about the possible new track, she thought it would be a good step for the romance languages and literature department to adopt. RAZA is an organization for Latino students and concerns on campus.

"I think it's a positive thing to create a track that is more specific to Latin America," she said.

Still, Ramirez said one potential problem with the plan could be that the study of Latin America in the context of its language and literature might be too narrow.

"The role of Latin American studies is ambiguous already, and it could end up being pigeon holed." she said. "Being placed within a larger context will kind of keep some people from actually pursuing it as a concentration".

The proposal, however, is far from a sure thing.

According to Dean of Undergraduate Education William M. Todd III, in order for a new track to come into existence, members of the Faculty within the department need to create it and then send it to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' Education Policy Committee for approval.

As of last night, however, neither Todd nor Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 had heard anything about the possible plans for a track in Latin American studies.

That few people have heard of the idea is unsurprising, according to Epps, who said Faculty members involved in its planning are not ready to go public with the proposal quite yet.

"We want to start planning things before it's out in the open," he said.