MA Latin American Studies (Research)

Discover the newest insights from the scholars who uncover them.

Cutting Edge Research

The two-year Latin American Studies research master consists of compulsory core courses, thematic electives, and a research Master's thesis.

Three specialist areas

This programme focuses on the ideas and practices of resistance and change in Latin America and the Caribbean. You will be able to specialise in one of three areas:

1. Culture and identity: socio-symbolic constructions; everyday life; (im)material culture; social, collective and individual identities.
2. State-society relations: legitimacy; authority; governance and order.
3. Literature, arts and media: the produced culture circulating through the press, (audio)visual and electronic media.

A substantial part of the programme is taught in Spanish, with classes also offered in English and Portuguese. You can write your papers and MA thesis in Spanish, English or Portuguese.

Year 1

During your first year you take two core courses covering the latest theoretical debates on the subject of modernity. You also study a relevant methodology course and submit a research proposal for your MA thesis.

Three opportunities are available for you to study a thematic elective in your chosen area of specialisation. The thematic electives combined with the core courses will help you to define your own research interest within the profile and expertise of the programme.

Year 2

During your second year, you will focus on a period of fieldwork of 8 – 12 weeks. This usually involves travel to Latin America to conduct research in a country of your choice. This might involve data collection/interviews etc., which is gathering first-hand information, or socio-semiotics, which involves conducting discourse and image analysis. Depending in the nature of your thesis, this component can be carried out in Leiden (remotely/digital fieldwork/close textual analysis etc.), always in consultation with your supervisor.

Following this step, you will complete your thesis based on the data/materials collected. A writing workshop will provide support in how to present your findings in different academic writing formats (for example: PhD research project; article publication; funding proposal).

The two-year Master's in Latin American Studies (research) aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the social and cultural issues in present-day Latin America and the Caribbean region.

The acquisition of advanced academic skills in the interpretation of texts, the analysis and solution of conceptual problems, and the ability to independently conduct high-quality scientific research are other key goals of the programme. Opportunities are provided for students to conduct research in a Latin American country or broaden their professional experience by taking part in an internship at an organisation.

First year

• Theoretical Approaches to Modernities in Latin America 10
• Resistance, Revival and Change; Mechanisms and Expressions 10
• Methods I: Research Seminar Latin American Modernities 10
• Brazil in Latin American and Global Perspectives 10
• Issues in Latin American Foreign Policies 10
• Social Movements in Latin America 10
• Remapping the City in Modern Literature and Visual Cultures 10
• The place of the political in Latin American literature and cinema 10
• Cultural Memory in Latin America (trauma, migration and identity) 10
• New Latin American Feminisms 10
• State, public policies and civil society in Latin America 10
• Chile Visiting Chair 2024 10
• Contemporary Brazil 10

Second year

• Methods II: Research in Latin America 20
• Methods III: Writing Workshop 5
• Brazil in Latin American and Global Perspectives 10
• Issues in Latin American Foreign Policies 10
• Social Movements in Latin America 10
• Remapping the City in Modern Literature and Visual Cultures 10
• The place of the political in Latin American literature and cinema 10
• Cultural Memory in Latin America (trauma, migration and identity) 10
• New Latin American Feminisms 10
• State, public policies and civil society in Latin America 10
• Chile Visiting Chair 2024 10
• Contemporary Brazil 10
• MA Thesis Latin American Studies (Research)

Create a world of opportunities with a master's degree from Leiden University.

Positions of our recent graduates include:

• Intake advisor at a governmental agency aimed at promoting integration and assimilation of immigrants
• Standards and certification officer at an NGO promoting fair trade
• HR business partner at a multinational company producing consumer goods
• Project officer for children's rights at an NGO
• Social researcher at a Dutch city council
• Coordinator at an NGO focussing on education
• Communications expert at an NGO focussing on food safety and food security
• Senior consular officer at an embassy in the Netherlands
• Student services officer at a university in the United Kingdom
• PhD candidate at a university in Chile
• PhD candidate at Leiden University

Your qualifications

The MA in in Latin American Studies (research) prepares students for a wide range of careers in which knowledge of Latin America and advanced conceptual, analytical and interpretative skills are essential. Our graduates have pursued successful careers in academia and in the public, private and non-profit sectors.