Humanities and Social Sciences

Institute of Latin American Studies

Dr Ralph Newmark, Director

The Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS), founded in 1975 with the help of a grant from the Myer Foundation, coordinates Latin American teaching and research at La Trobe University. In addition to a fortnightly seminar (on Fridays), ILAS organises conferences and sponsors visits by Latin Americanists from the Spanish and English-speaking world.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Study

Undergraduates are able to major in Latin American Studies or combine units in the area with their majors in the discipline of their choice. Click HERE for more information.

Postgraduate students may work at the Honours, MA or PhD level in association with members of staff in history, politics, sociology, economics, and Spanish or Portuguese. Depending upon funding, students at the PhD level may be assisted in their expenses for a research trip to Latin America in order to conduct original research for their thesis. Click HERE for more information.

Summer and Winter School Program

3 sessions per year (February, June/July and November/December).
All classes held at the La Trobe University City Campus 215 Franklin St, Melbourne (opposite Victoria Market) Click HERE for more information.

Research Facilities

The Borchardt Library is the best research library in Australia in the area of Latin American Studies and is so acknowledged by the Australian National Library in Canberra. This reflects the university's long-term commitment to creating a national resource in this field of study. As a result, students encounter an excellent research library with a wide ranging collection of primary and secondary material, especially in the areas of Mexican, Brazilian and Cuban studies. There is also a strong research collection dealing with United States-Latin American relations.

Seminar Program

When: Fridays @ 11.00am
Where: David Myers Building (History Program) E 125
Who: Contact Dr Ralph Newmark for more information