University Senate                                                          Proposed: April 11, 2008
Adopted:

RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH AN M.A. IN REGIONAL STUDIES-
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
(INSTITUTE OF LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES, GSAS)

WHEREAS                this program will provide an interdisciplinary graduate-level focus on social science approaches to modern and contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean, and

WHEREAS                this program will enable graduates to enter advanced research in the politics, economics, international relations, modern history, and culture and society of the region, and

WHEREAS                the program is for students entering the professions, mid-career professionals, and those preparing to enter doctoral programs, and   

WHEREAS                the proposed program will not replace existing programs at Columbia, because the SIPA M.I.A. and M.P.A. degree programs with regional specialization in Latin America largely serve a student body preparing for careers in government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, and

WHEREAS                application rates for similar programs at other institutions are high, indicating a demand, and Columbia receives requests for a program of this type, and

WHEREAS                the proposed program will draw on Columbia’s unique strengths, and

WHEREAS                the program will benefit from a partnership with New York University allowing cross-registration for up to six credit points, and

WHEREAS                the proposed program has the support of the Executive Committee of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Provost, and

WHEREAS                the Education Committee of the Senate has favorably reviewed the proposal,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED       that  the University Senate approve the proposed program and forward it to the Trustees for appropriate action with the proviso that the Education Committee will review the program in five years.

                                                                                    Proponent                                           
Education Committee