By a conservative count, approximately forty members of the Columbia
faculty devote substantial or exclusive teaching and research efforts to
the Latin American region. Latin Americanist scholars make important
contributions to departments throughout the Arts and Sciences and
professional schools in the Columbia community. At Teachers College,
Leslie Bartlett’s research focuses on race, class, and education in
Latin America. Her recent research project is titled “Literacy, Shame,
and Social Structure in Brazil.” John Dinges, at Columbia’s Journalism
School, is a distinguished writer on the Latin American region. His
latest book is titled “The Condor Years: How Pinochet and his Allies
Brought Terrorism to Three Continents” (The New Press 2004). Pablo
Piccato, of Columbia University’s Department of History, specializes in
social and political history of the Porfiriato and the Mexican
Revolution. He was recently named among the winners of the 2007-2008
Lenfest/Columbia Distinguished Faculty Awards. Charles Calomiris,
Professor of Finance and Economics, focuses on emerging financial
markets; his recent research includes “Blueprints for a New Global
Financial Architecture.” Miguel Urquiola, in Columbia University’s
economics department, has published many works on the role of education
and development with a particular focus on South America. Frances
Negrón-Muntaner of the Departments of Latino/a Studies and English and
Comparative Literature is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and
scholar. Her book “Boricua Pop: Puerto Ricans and the Latinization of
American Culture” was named 2004 Choice Outstanding Book and her latest
film is “For the Record: Guam and World War II” (2007).
The Institute is the keystone for Latin American Studies at Columbia
University and Columbia College. ILAS offers a Certificate in Latin
American Studies to students in the University’s graduate social science
programs and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA),
coordinates course offerings in Latin American regional studies, and
supervises SIPA’s concentration in Latin American Studies. Students from
other professional schools, including the Law School, Business School,
School of Journalism, and School of Public Health, also enroll in
courses offered or coordinated by ILAS.
