Latin American Studies

Degree: Master of Arts in Latin American Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: Spanish
Specialisations:
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The MA in Latin American Studies offers a multidisciplinary programme with emphasis on the contemporary reality of the region. The Master’s makes use of scholarly contributions coming from several academic disci­plines such as modern history, literature, and linguistics, as well as from the social sciences, and has a strong focus on research.
Since this is the only European Master’s programme outside Spain that is given in the Spanish language, it allows you to make use of state-of-the-art works and material produced by Latin Amer­ican scholars.
The programme utilises the close ties the Department of Latin American Studies (TCLA) has with various academic institutions and universities in Latin America, in order to provide you with a wide choice of research locations and specialisation options.

The information about this programme is available in the following languages:

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 de Tarapacá
    • Universidad Arturo Prat
    • FLACSO
  • Mexico:
    • Universidad Iberoamericana

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

Prof. Rodriguez

“Apart from one or two subjects, the complete master’s programme is taught in Spanish, which makes us unique in Europe.”

“An increasing number of students, including Latin Americans, are discovering us, and they find our continental perspective very attrac¬tive. In most Latin American countries you are not formed as a ‘Latin Americanist’, but as a country specialist. In Leiden you learn to think critically about yourself. The opportunity to call identity into question is exactly what we offer, whatever that identity might be.

Latin Americans frequently analyse themselves in relation to other cultures and this is a healthy attitude. You are not Dutch ‘by blood’, but through the culture of your parents, family, classmates, friends: all pieces of a puzzle which make up you as you are, some aspects of which you are aware of and others not. Amazingly, some pieces of the puzzle are shared with other people. Why does Shakira appeal to so many people? Because she appeals to the feelings and
identities of different cultures!

In this master’s, students can make an in-depth study in modern history (including social sciences), literature or linguistics from a specific Latin American perspective, both in terms of theory and methodology. For this purpose, our approach is interdisciplinary. Our academic staff consists of young as well as senior scholars who share the same enthusiasm, quality and ambition. The master’s is taught in Spanish, which makes us unique in Europe outside Spain. We have a large number of Latin American colleagues: the two chair professors, several lecturers and visiting professors. Our students also come from all over the world, each of them with their own specific knowledge which leads to inspiring discussions. The result: a real explosion of talent!”