About the Latin American Studies Program
About Latin American Studies Program
The Latin American Studies Program (LASP) at The University of Iowa fosters cross-disciplinary teaching and research on Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Program uses this "region" as a framework for exploring thematic issues in the disciplines of anthropology, art, history, political science, Spanish and Portuguese, and women's studies. LASP offers an undergraduate certificate and an undergraduate minor in Latin American Studies. Both the Minor and Certificate Programs address the geography, history, politics, economy, art, literature, and social organization of the Latin American and Caribbean areas.
In addition to its instructional activity, the program sponsors lectures, film series, exhibitions, conferences and round table discussions, works to expand research and teaching in Latin American Studies, seeks to bring Latin American scholars to the campus and fosters institutional linkages. Established in 1978, the program is governed by a faculty steering committee whose primary teaching and research interests focus on Latin America.
In 1999 LASP was awarded a UISFL (Undergraduate International studies and Foreign languages) grant by the US Department of Education, which has assisted greatly in building the program, particularly in the area of undergraduate curriculum.