Be engaged

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program (LACS), one of nine areas of study within the Global and Regional Studies Program, offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary set of courses on the histories, cultures, literatures, politics and economies of Latin America, the Caribbean and U.S. Latinos.

The program seeks to serve as a bridge between North America and Latin America, hosting guest speakers, artists and activists, encouraging study abroad, and organizing faculty-led study courses in the region. We offer students a strong liberal arts education enhanced by significant cross-cultural competence, skills that serve out graduates well in fields such as policy analysis, government, research, journalism, business, international development, higher education, graduate school, and activism in the U.S. and throughout Latin America.

Major Requirements

Our LACS major program provides a stimulating blend of courses from disciplines including history, political science, anthropology, and more. Our program will offer you a skillset, including writing and critical thinking, that can be applied towards any career path. The LACS major consists of 30 course credits, and most of our major students spend time abroad. See our requirements for the B.A. with major in Latin American & Caribbean Studies.

Also, see requirements for the Latin American & Caribbean Studies minor.

To find a list of courses that count towards the LACS major and minor, go to the registrar’s webpage  and select the Schedule of Courses for the appropriate semester.  Then select “Latin American and Caribbean Studies.”

Beyond the classroom

Internships

Outside the classroom, many of our students undertake internships abroad or in the U.S. with direct relevance to their degrees in fields including businesses, government, media, international organizations like the United Nations, and international non-profit organizations. Explore our internship opportunities.

Study Abroad

The LACS Program enthusiastically encourages students to spend a semester or more studying at a university abroad. Many students in our program make good use of this option by spending a summer, a semester, or an entire academic year at one of our approved study abroad programs in South America, Central American, and the Caribbean. Of course, studying abroad is optional and not mandatory. Learn more about our study abroad opportunities.

Affiliations

The LAS Program and its affiliated faculty sponsor or work with the following UVM groups and programs:

UVM faculty-led courses include:

  •  Costa Rica; various short study trips; and a bilateral exchange program with La Universidad de Belgrano (Argentina)

Burlington-based community projects include:

Links Related to Caribbean Studies

 

Advising

A key part of your success at UVM will be your relationship with your academic advisor. Think of your advisor as your academic liaison who you can rely on to clarify university policies and requirements, provide support, and navigate your undergraduate journey. When you arrive at UVM, you will be paired with an advisor within your department that can help you stay on track to meet your goals. Learn more about advising.

Careers

  • Policy analysis
  • Government
  • Research
  • Journalism
  • International business
  • International development
  • Higher education

Related Information

Minors

Minor in Latin American & Caribbean Studies

Popular Courses

Announcements and Current Events:

Please check out the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Facebook page, which we use to host discussions about Latin American issues and post information about events related to Latin America at UVM and around Burlington.

Please join us in congratulating Ryan Kabilian, the 2017 winner of the Pedro Albizu Campos Award. Every year the faculty of the Latin American and Caribbean studies program select the best graduating senior for this award. Albizu Campos was the leader of the Puerto Rican Independence movement in the early twentieth century, and was a student at the University of Vermont.