• What is the Program in Latino Studies?

The Program in Latino Studies is an inter-disciplinary curriculum that traverses arts, humanities and social sciences designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the emergence, transformation and consolidation of Latinos as a pan-ethnic group, and to appreciate the range of Hispanic imprints on American society and culture.

• How does it differ from the Program in Latin American Studies?

The Latino Studies certificate program is designed to complement, rather than compete with, existing programs in Latin American and African American Studies in several ways.

U.S. Hispanics are not synonymous with Latin Americans, despite cultural and linguistic overlap. Immigration is the social process that unites the Americas, but U.S. residence transforms the newcomers and their destination communities in new ways that create distinctive cultural hybrids. The U.S.-born children of Latin American immigrants forge new social and ethnic identities that blend both their origin and destination communities. Hispanics also are redefining racial and ethnic boundaries in ways that defy the official racial and ethnic classifications not only because Hispanics can be of any “race,” but because Hispanicity itself is becoming racialized.

• What requirements need to be met in order to receive a certificate in Latino Studies?

In addition to LAO 200 Latinos in American Life and Culture, the required gateway course, students must complete four courses outside their department of concentration that draw from both the social sciences and the arts and humanities. Of these, at least one should be a seminar (please consult with the program for the most current list of options), and one must emphasize comparative race relations. Students are also required to write a senior thesis on a topic relating to the Hispanic population of the United States . In order to qualify for the Latino Studies certificate, a course must devote at least half of its content to the U.S. Hispanic population. 

For more information on certificate requirements, please see www.princeton.edu/latinostudies/courses or contact the Program.

• Do I need to have knowledge of the Spanish language in order to be a concentrator?

Language proficiency is not a requirement for a certificate in Latino Studies, but knowledge of Spanish will certainly be encouraged.

• Can one course count for two certificates or majors?

Please consult with the Program and your home department in order to determine whether certain courses can be counted twice.  The University generally discourages double-counting, but exceptions will be considered for extenuating circumstances.

• Is it possible to receive a certificate in Latino Studies and Latin American Studies?

If you are interested in receiving certificates in both Latino and Latin American Studies, please arrange for an appointment with either Program in order to discuss your options.

• How do I sign up to be a Latino Studies concentrator?

In order to become a Latino Studies concentrator, e-mail (latino@princeton.edu) or call (609-258-0821) the Program to set up an appointment to enroll.  The certificate application can also be downloaded and filled out ahead of time.