Institute for the Study of the Americas

The Institute for the Study of the Americas, ISA, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge of the Latin American experience in the Western Hemisphere. It builds on a long-standing and distinguished tradition of scholarly interest in the diverse regions that make up Latin America. ISA educational opportunities explore the rich and diverse cultures and histories of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies equips students with mixed method research techniques, proficiency in a language spoken in Latin America, and a comprehensive understanding of the region. Graduate students can also complement their advanced degrees with a Certificate in Latin American Studies. As a Title VI National Resource Center, the Consortium in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke offers courses and student training initiatives, supports language learning and two publication series—Latin America in Translation and Studies in Latin America—and conducts outreach efforts, offering professional development and resources to educators. The annual North Carolina Latin American Film Festival and the North Carolina Conference on Latin American Studies showcase new works. The Latino Migration Project enhances understanding of the Latin American presence in North Carolina. The Building Integrated Communities initiative collaborates with local governments in community planning to work together with stakeholders to improve communication, public safety, mobility, entrepreneurship, and leadership for immigrant and refugee communities primarily from Latin America. The Language Access Collaborative unites North Carolina local governments and community-based organizations to improve language access. The “New Roots: Voices from Carolina del Norte" bilingual oral history archive documents Latin American and Caribbean heritage in the U.S. South, featuring migration and leadership stories.