Latin American Studies Association Explained

Latin American Studies Association
Abbreviation:LASA
Formation:1966
Type:Learned Society
Headquarters:Pittsburgh, United States
Website:lasa.international.pitt.edu

The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest association for scholars of Latin American studies. Founded in 1966,[1] it has over 12,000 members, 45 percent of whom reside outside the United States (36 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean), LASA brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.[2]

History

LASA was founded in 1966 following a meeting sponsored by the Joint Committee on Latin American Studies (composed of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), held at the Hispanic Foundation (now the Hispanic Division) of the Library of Congress, May 7, 1966. LASA's constitution and bylaws were drafted and on May 12, 1966 it was incorporated in Washington, D.C., as a legal, tax exempt organization, "non-profit professional body created by scholarly area specialists to meet their particular and growing needs."[3] The incorporation of the LASA was the culmination of a long process to create such an organization after the failure of a previous attempt. In April 1958, Howard F. Cline, Director of the Hispanic Foundation of the Library of Congress (1952–71) and the ACLS organized a conference to explore the creation of a coordinating body for Latin American area studies. In 1959, the ACLS and the SSRC formed the Joint Committee on Latin American Studies, which ultimately led to the founding of LASA as an organization.[4] The Constitution and Bylaws of the Latin American Studies Association were published in the Latin American Research Review in 1966.[5] LASA's first President after its 1966 incorporation was political scientist Kalman Silvert, who published extensively on Latin American political systems and conflict.[6] LASA honors Silvert's memory with a major prize.

Mission

LASA's mission is "to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate."[2]

LASA Congresses

Every year, specialists on Latin America gather at the LASA International Congress. Featuring over 900 sessions, including plenary sessions and informal meetings, the Congress is the world's premier forum for expert discussion on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Regional Subgroups

At the 1992 LASA Congress in Los Angeles, scholars specializing in Brazil founded the Brazilian Studies Association (BRASA).[8] BRASA now holds independent biennial meetings.

LASA Presidents

Awards

Publishing

LASA publishes an interdisciplinary scholarly journal, the Latin American Research Review (LARR) founded in 1965 by a consortium of U.S. universities.[18] LARR is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes original research and surveys of current research on Latin America and the Caribbean.

LASA has established a publishing house, the Latin American Research Commons, that publishes LARR and other books and journals.[19]

External links

Notes and References

  1. [American Council of Learned Societies]
  2. LASA, About LASA
  3. Howard F. Cline, "The Latin American Studies Association: A Summary Survey with Appendix," Latin American Research Review, Vol. 2. No. 1 (Autumn 1966), pp. 57-79.
  4. Cline, ibid.
  5. Howard F. Cline, "Latin American Studies Association: A Summary Survey with Appendix," Latin American Research Review, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Autumn 1966) pp. 75-79.
  6. Kalman H. Silvert, obituary. New York Times, June 17, 1976, p. 38.
  7. Web site: LASA2024 / Reacción y resistencia: Imaginar futuros posibles en las Américas . 2024-06-11 . Latin American Studies Association . es.
  8. Web site: BRASA History – BRASA: Brazilian Studies Association. 2021-11-09. en-US.
  9. https://forum.lasaweb.org/files/vol51-issue3/News-2.pdf "LASA Membership of Jorge Dominguez Revoked" LASA Forum
  10. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/diskin_dissertation.asp LASA
  11. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/brycewood.asp LASA
  12. LASA, http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/diskin.asp
  13. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/iberoamericano.asp LASA
  14. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/media.asp LASA
  15. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/silvert.asp LASA
  16. http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/eng/awards/tomassini.asp LASA, Latin American International Relations Book Award
  17. Web site: LASA2020 / Améfrica Ladina: Vinculando Mundos y Saberes, Tejiendo Esperanzas.
  18. Web site: LARR . Latin American Studies Association . December 6, 2014.
  19. Web site: Latin America Research Commons. 2021-04-24.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Latin American Studies Association".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.