New Graduate Degree Focuses on Latin America

The School of Arts and Humanities has launched a new Master of Arts degree in Latin American Studies.  Building on the expertise of current faculty in the fields of Latin American culture, history, literature, politics and economics, the program will allow students to approach the study of Latin America from a multidisciplinary perspective.

The new graduate program will provide a solid scholarly foundation for students who wish to continue an academic career beyond the MA degree, as well as for students who are interested in pursuing a professional career requiring familiarity with Latin America.  Dr. Luis Martín, a scholar of Spain and Latin America and professor emeritus of history at Southern Methodist University, will teach selected courses in conjunction with his new role as the director of Outreach Programs for the Center for Values in Medicine, Science and Technology at UT Dallas.

Dr. Monica Rankin, assistant professor of Mexican/Latin American History at UT Dallas, says students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to work extensively with Spanish and Portuguese resources as part of course assignments.  Before completing the degree program, Latin American Studies students will complete a language exam and participate in either a study abroad program or an internship in partnership with local companies, creating an emphasis on language and Spanish culture.

“We are delighted to be offering a graduate program in the Dallas area that emphasizes Latin American culture and allows students to put their Spanish language skills to use,” Dr. Rankin says.  

According to Dennis Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, “The new program will offer significant opportunities to individuals within the Dallas-Fort Worth region and throughout the state of Texas who wish to acquire an in-depth knowledge of Latin America.  Furthermore, this program will enhance the scholarly experience of the strong cohort of graduate students at UT Dallas who are currently specializing in Latin American history, literature, and other related fields.”

To help draw awareness to the program, on Feb. 4 the school will host an academic lecture open to the public, featuring Rolando Hinojosa, a renowned scholar of Latin American literature at The University of Texas at Austin.

Registration for the spring semester is now open to currently enrolled students. Application deadlines for domestic applications are April 1, 2010, for the summer semester and July 1, 2010, for the fall semester. Deadlines for international students are March 1, 2010, for the summer semester and May 1, 2010, for the fall semester.

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