Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program
Welcome to the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program (LACS) at the College of Charleston!
Housed in the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program promotes cultural exchange and interdisciplinary research in a region whose history and unique composite of Amerindian, African, and European peoples provide opportunities to address today’s most pressing global issues. The program allows students to immerse themselves in the study of the languages, literature, history, politics, art and culture of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Program creates the intellectual space for students and faculty who share a common interest in the area, but who draw from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, to benefit from transdisciplinary exchange.
The Program provides our Majors with full linguistic and cultural immersion by requiring them to spend a semester or a summer abroad in one of the many College of Charleston programs sponsored by LACS; at renowned Latin American or Caribbean universities affiliated with the College of Charleston; or through approved independent programs. The LACS Program is also committed to assisting its students with their post-graduation job searches by tailoring an internship opportunity to each LACS Major's area of interest and needs.
For more detailed information, please contact Dr. Lisa Covert, Program Director, at lacs@cofc.edu
Read about Tori Akerley's experience in LACS here and about Leasette León's LACS experience in College Today.
Here is a video by CofC Spanish major, author, photographer, and PhD candidate in medical anthropology at UC Berkeley Levi Vonk '13 about his life-changing experience with Cuba Study Abroad. And below is a slide show with many images from Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program.
Podcast
Dr. Avendaño and Dr. Colomina-Garrigos took the opportunity to sit down with three LACS majors the week before graduation to find out how the LACS major impacted their lives and what they plan on doing after graduation. Listen to the podcast here.
Dr. Del Mastro interviews CofC alumna (2012) Emily Williams to discuss her undergraduate experience at the College of Charleston as a double major in Spanish and Latin American & Caribbean Studies, her time studying abroad, and her professional activities following graduation. At the time of this podcast, Emily works as a State Recruiter, Title One Part C (Education of Migratory Children and Youth) for the South Carolina Department of Education. Listen to the podcast here.
Dr. Avendaño, Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, interviews CofC alumna (2005) Arden Sherman to discuss her undergraduate experience at the College of Charleston as a double major in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Studio Art, her time studying abroad in Brazil and Cuba, and her professional activities following graduation. At the time of the podcast, Arden is the Director and Curator of Hunter East Harlem Gallery at Hunter College in New York City. Listen to the podcast here.
Alumni Spotlight
LACS graduate Tom Laffay (CofC’11) is a photojournalist, documentary filmmaker, and human rights activist previously based in Central America and currently living in Colombia.
Check out Tom’s latest work the documentary 'A Murder Without Consequence, Every Three Days.'
Cuba Study Abroad Program
Check out the 'The College Today' coverage of the Cuba study abroad program.