This year, the Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University celebrates one hundred years of research and teaching in Latin American Studies at Tulane. This centennial celebration hopes to reflect on the evolution, growth, and vibrancy of this field of studies at Tulane, which entailed hiring faculty across the disciplines, forging an interdisciplinary curriculum and full range of degree programs, developing a distinguished Latin American library collection, creating community outreach and K-12 educational programming, and establishing collaborations across the Americas.
Tulane University’s relationship with Latin America began formally in 1924 with the acquisition of William Edmund Gates’ library, establishing the Department of Middle American Research. This department evolved into the Middle American Research Institute (MARI) in 1938. MARI’s mission was further strengthened in 1962 with the foundation of the Latin American Library, which became a vital resource for Latin American Studies research. Over the decades, the academic program grew significantly: from the Committee on Middle American Studies in 1940, to the Program on Latin American Studies in 1947, evolving into the Language and Area Center for Latin American Studies in 1962, and ultimately becoming the Center for Latin American Studies in 1965, renamed the Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies in 1983.
A Commitment to Interdisciplinary Dialogue and Area Studies Leadership/Academic Excellence
This historical evolution laid the groundwork for the Stone Center’s current mission: promoting research and teaching of Latin American Studies, embracing a broad definition of Latin America that includes geographical locations, disciplines, and political and ideological perspectives. The Center fosters a community of scholars who represent a diverse spectrum of ideas, interests and disciplines. It also encourages an interdisciplinary approach to Latin American Studies. The sense of community created by the Center and constant support to its affiliates helps to create spaces for dialogue among scholars and students.
Building on this solid foundation, Tulane’s enduring legacy in Latin American Studies highlights the significant contributions of its Latin Americanists to the world through their research, publications, teaching, MA and PhD graduates, leadership in area studies, and service to the region. Faculty and alumni have made significant and sustained contributions to Mesoamerican archaeology and history, Indigenous society and linguistics, Latin American film and cultural studies, Brazilian music, literature, and politics, and artistic production at the intersections of Indigenous and colonial society. In economics, political science, and sociology, faculty have made vital contributions to our knowledge of political institutions, economic development, social policy and change, and human ecology, first in Central America, Mexico, and Colombia, and today through research on social movements, extractivism, corruption, and inequality in Brazil and the Andean region. At the same time, contributions in comparative law, public policy and finance, urban and environmental planning, conservation biology, historic preservation, tropical ecology, epidemiology, environmental health, and tropical medicine cross every School and division at Tulane.
These faculty contributions not only advance the field but also shape the interdisciplinary education that makes our students highly competitive. Today’s market needs workers with global sensibilities, comfortable in diverse languages and cultures, and able to adopt perspectives other than their own. The Center’s emphasis on intercultural understanding, advanced analytical and communication skills, and student independence and initiative prepares students to meet any challenges and opportunities the future brings. Tulane’s Latin American Studies alumni work in a variety of fields at home and abroad, including international business, law, global development, diplomacy, education, human rights, advocacy and lobbying, intelligence and national security, urban planning, journalism, medicine, high-tech, and much more.
Top-Ranking Graduate Programs and Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Opportunities
The Stone Center’s commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its graduate programs. Tulane ranks among the top producers of graduate degrees that focus on Latin America. Since the mid-1960s, over 300 students have graduated with an interdisciplinary MA degree in Latin American Studies and have gone on to positions in the public and private sectors, and for additional training in the disciplines and professions. More than forty have graduated with an interdisciplinary PhD in Latin American Studies since the late 1970s.
The design of both the MA and the PhD curriculum in Latin American Studies is dependent upon the student’s particular research interest. While students are welcome to pursue their particular interdisciplinary research, the Stone Center has developed significant faculty strengths in Economics, Politics, Arts, Media and Culture. The Center also has strong regional expertise in Central American Studies, Cuban and Caribbean Studies, and Brazilian Studies. In addition, the Stone Center collaborates with other units across the University to offer specialized graduate degree programs. Such programs include joint professional degree programs with the Law School (MA/JD) and the Business School (MA/MBA), as well as a dual Doctor of Philosophy degree (a PhD in Latin American Studies and Art History).
At the undergraduate level, the Stone Center also offers a range of interdisciplinary opportunities, such as the Undergraduate Certificate in Latin American Studies for Public Health. This certificate was created for students who wish to internationalize their studies, deepen their awareness of Latin America and the Caribbean, and increase their competitiveness for work and graduate education by demonstrating regional expertise and intercultural competency.
Committed to the importance of international experience and reinforcing Tulane University’s mission to provide opportunities that help students gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, the Stone Center for Latin American Studies strongly encourages students to avail themselves of a variety of overseas programs. These include summer and semester programs in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Courses are taught in Spanish, Portuguese, Kaqchikel and K’iche’ Maya, and English, with offerings in Area Studies, History, Diaspora Studies, Business, Linguistics, Public Health, Historic Preservation, Cultural Studies, International Relations, Art, Anthropology, and more. The Center also provides funding opportunities for field study, internships, and research.
As the Stone Center celebrates one hundred years of research and teaching in Latin American Studies at Tulane University, it continues to expand its global outreach and strengthen its academic excellence, remaining a pivotal hub for interdisciplinary study and collaboration across the Americas.
