• Cluster Requirements

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) Cluster draws on the expertise of more that two dozen Northwestern faculty members from different disciplines who have shared interests in this region.  Building on this strong faculty base and on growing interest in the region, the LACS cluster aims to help graduate students to think of familiar questions in unfamiliar ways that will foster innovation within the traditional disciplines, as well as provide students with a much deeper understanding of the region than they might otherwise achieve.  The LACS cluster is one of the first initiatives in the country to offer a formal structure for interdisciplinary training in Latin American and Caribbean studies.  The cluster also provides a much needed intellectual community for participating students, as the number of students in each department who are interested in the region is relatively small.  The LACS cluster does this in three specific ways.  First, it is built around a core curriculum consisting of courses taught in any one of three core areas of inquiry, chosen because of their enduring interdisciplinary importance.  Second, the cluster runs an ongoing faculty and graduate colloquium in which students at all levels of the program present their works in progress.  Students who complete courses from each of these three areas, and attend the colloquium for credit, are be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.  And third, the cluster seeks to strengthen formal ties between Northwestern and partner institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to promote graduate and faculty research and exchange.

Students interested in pursuing a PhD in Art History, Communication Studies, Comparative Literary Studies, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, and Theatre and Drama are encouraged to find a second intellectual “home” in this interdisciplinary cluster.

Advising

All of LACS Cluster students are assigned an advisor from the Cluster's core faculty.  Students construct their program in consultation with this advisor.  It is suggested that students include a program faculty member from outside his or her home department on their dissertation defense committee.

How to Participate

There are many different ways for faculty and students to participate in the intellectual life of the cluster. Many cluster events, such as visiting lecturers and conferences, are open to all members of the University. Cluster seminars are open to graduate students across the University. We encourage all students, faculty and staff of Northwestern to learn more about our research and activities by participating in our public events.

Matriculating graduate students interested in participating in this cluster should indicate their interest when they apply to their respective graduate programs.  Information on cluster requirements for participating graduate students can be found by visiting the Requirements page for this cluster.

The first cohort of graduate students will be admitted to the cluster during the 2007-08 academic year.  This cohort will include incoming and current students who wish to participate in program activities. Students admitted directly to the cluster and a department are noted as "cluster fellows" and will be provided with two years of fellowship as part of their five-year funding package, as well as with a $1000 research account.

Current graduate students interested in participating in this cluster should contact Professor Jorge Coronado at jcoronado@northwestern.edu.

Faculty

The primary appointment for those faculty with joint or affiliate status in another program is noted in parentheses.