Latin American and Amerindian Studies (Research): Latin American Studies

Year 1

Year 2

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Objectives
Programme
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

Objectives

The research masters programme focuses on the Western and indigenous cultural
traditions and social forms present in contemporary Latin America, as well as on their
internal relationship. The participating scholars have chosen to give the programme
an up-to-date profile with the overall theme of ‘modernity and cultural identities in
Latin America’. The theme throughout the combined research efforts is the effect of
contemporary modernisation processes on the cultures and social processes in Latin
America and Indigenous America. We approach the matter of modernity and cultural
identities from a ‘cultural studies’ approach, not only observing the phenomenon of
modernity merely from a socio-economic and political dimension but also from the
perspective of cultural identity and its expression in the mass media. LAAS students
learn to deal with complex scientific problems in an independent and creative way, and to
present a high-quality report, both orally and in writing, under expert supervision.
The programme aims to raise students to a level of knowledge and skills that allows them
to proceed to PhD research. Alternatively, graduates qualify for positions outside the
university that require an academic level of thinking.

Programme

Structure

Students can choose between two specialisations: Latin American Studies or Amerindian
Studies. Within the Latin American Studies specialisation, students also choose between
the following disciplines: Modern History or Literature. The programme consists of a
total of 120 ects, divided between two years (60 ects per year).

First Year

• Specialisation Latin American Studies

Students take six courses (three courses per semester, 10 ects each). During the first
semester, they follow two required courses: ‘State and Citizenship in Latin America’,
and ‘Hybrid Cultures in Latin America’. The first semester is concluded with the course
‘Contemporary Amerindian Societies’.

In the second semester, students take one of the following two courses: ‘Modernity
in Latin America’ or ‘Cultural Identity and Post-Modern Discourse in Latin America’
(10 ects each). In addition, students are at liberty to choose one more course (10 ects)
from the remaining master’s degree courses offered within Latin American Studies
or Amerindian Studies or from courses offered by other academic institutions. The
remaining 10 ects are reserved for the course ‘Methods and Research Techniques for
fieldwork in Latin America’.

• Specialisation Amerindian Studies

During the first semester, students take the courses ‘Art and Worldview in Amerindian
Societies’ and ‘Contemporary Amerindian Societies and Movements’ (10 ects each). In
addition, they follow the compulsory course ‘State and Citizenship in Latin America’ (10
ects).

In the second semester, students take the course: ‘Mobility and Exchange in the
Caribbean Region’ (10 ects). They are also required to choose another course (10 ects)
from the remaining courses offered within the master’s programme in Latin American
Studies or Amerindian Studies. Finally, 10 ects are reserved for either one of the
following two courses ‘Tutorial Andean Region’ or ‘Tutorial Mesoamerican Region’, both
of which focus on planning and preparation for fieldwork in a Latin American country.

Second Year

Both specialisations start with the writing of a brief individual research project (between
September and mid-November). This is followed by a two-month period of fieldwork
research (mid-November-mid-January) in a Latin American country in order to collect
data that form the basis of the master’s thesis (both activities combined represent 20
ects). Upon returning from fieldwork, a Tutorial will be given in the form of intensive
supervision (10 ects).

The fourth and last semester of the programme is entirely dedicated to the writing of a
master’s thesis (30 ects).
Students from Latin America who prefer to remain in Leiden during the first semester of
the second year are required to take two special courses. Firstly, a Colloquium (10 ects)
in which they discuss the subject of their master’s thesis under the supervision of senior
staff members. This Colloquium is concluded with substantial, individual presentations
on both the theoretical relevance of the studied topics, and on the general structure of the
master’s thesis. In addition, the students from Latin America follow a second course (10
ects) on research methods and data processing at another academic institution.
On top of that, students staying in Leiden will take another optional course (10 ects): one
from the master’s programme in Latin American Studies or another course elsewhere.
Foreign students who possess a general master’s degree (including a master’s thesis) have
the option to enter the programme directly in the third semester. They need to follow
courses (worth a total of 30 ects) from the master’s courses of the first semester of the
programme. The fourth and final semester is entirely dedicated to writing a master’s
thesis (30 ects) supervised by a lecturer.

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

The research masters programme is concluded with a master’s thesis, which has the
potential to be published (possibly in a summarised form) as a scientific article. The
official examination is focused on the thesis and a certain amount of literature. Also see:
hum.leiden.edu/students/regulations.