CENTER FOR LATIN AMERICAN AND LATINX STUDIES

The Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies (CELAS) at Rice University advances an innovative and capacious approach to area and ethnic studies: multiracial, multilingual, hemispheric, transnational in scope yet rooted in place.

RESEARCH

CELAS furthers original and cutting-edge research in Latin American and Latinx Studies (including the Caribbean). The Center bridges the disciplinary divide between Latin American and US Latino/e Studies and highlights the heterogeneity of Latin American and Latinx lives and cultures across the globe (with a strong focus on Indigeneity, Blackness, and the multiplicity of languages spoken in the region, e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, indigenous and creole languages).

COMMUNITY

CELAS provides an inclusive and multilingual community for students, staff members, and scholars at Rice invested in Latin American and Latinx topics (including STEM students and faculty). CELAS also builds bridges towards the Latine and Latin American communities in Houston, Texas and Gulf Coast area, and deepens institutional ties with Latin American institutions of higher education, artists, and thought leaders.

TEACHING

Via the minor and major in Latin American and Latinx Studies (housed in MCLC), CELAS expands student knowledge about Latin America and US Latino/a experiences and challenge students to think critically and creatively about the problems and opportunities facing Latin America and communities of Latin American descent across the globe and especially in the United States.