Latin American Studies (research)

Degree: Master of Arts in Latin American Studies (research)
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: Spanish and English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60844
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The Research Master’s in Latin American Studies is a multi-disciplinary two-year programme that addresses both the communalities and the differences in historical, cultural and socio-political terms between Latin America and the Caribbean region, with a strong focus on the contemporary reality of the area. It allows you to develop a particular expertise in Latin America, Indo-America and the Caribbean. You will gain on site experience, since you will have the unique opportunity to carry out an investigation in a Latin American or Caribbean country. Writing your thesis, you can also further specialise in a particular academic discipline, such as modern history (also including sociology, anthropology and political science), literature and archaeology.

As a graduate of a two-year research master’s degree you are qualified to work as a junior academic researcher in an academic environment or carry out further research work on a PhD programme. This programme, with its strong research orientation, is the only one of its kind in the Netherlands: no other Master’s in the country congregates so many sub-regions of the Americas and disciplines in a single academic programme, making it the only accredited Research Master in this field in the Benelux.

Due to the department’s long tradition of research and teaching at Leiden University, the staff has built up a well established international reputation. The programme also maintains a broad network of active contacts throughout Latin America, capable of offering you support during your research period. You will have the possibility to carry out research at various locations, including:

Argentina:
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Brasil:
Universidade de Sao Paulo
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Sul
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Chile:
Universidad de Chile
Universidad Diego Portales
Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Mexico:
Universidad Iberoamericana

But we also offer possibilities in many other Latin American countries.

Prof. Patricio Silva

Patricio Silva

“I want to understand contemporary Latin American societies based on their own history.”

“Many Dutch specialists on Latin American studies are ahead of new developments in their field. They publish articles in eminent academic journals and are regular speakers at major international congresses such as those of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) in the United States and the Society for Latin American Studies (SLAS) in Great Britain.

Latin America is an absolute graveyard for theories. No simple explanations can be given for many political, economic and cultural developments which take place in this region. The area is a bit rich, a bit poor, a bit Western and a bit non-Western. The problems are complicated, as are the solutions.

It is important to take a good look at this continent because it is becoming increasingly important in economic terms for foreign investors. The fact that Latin America is a relatively stable region with no traces of religious extremism, is certainly a factor in this.

I come originally from Chile and have been lecturing in Leiden on the modern political history of Latin America since 1987. When studying the history of the region, I pay particular attention to the current si-tuation. I want to understand contemporary Latin American societies based on their own history.

Also, I constantly make it clear that there are different interpretations of that history; so for instance the ‘official’ version held by the elites is generally directly opposite to that of the indigenous population.”