M.A. International Affairs with Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs offers students the opportunity to complete their Master’s degree with a specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS).
As this program is based in Ottawa, it gives students a unique opportunity to capitalize on the presence of diplomatic and non-governmental institutions in the nation’s capital. Students will also have access to the long-established working relationships that faculty have cultivated in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Join the community!
This MA specialization gives students an opportunity to be part of an intellectual community that actively participates in interdisciplinary approaches to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. Incoming graduate students will have the opportunity to test their ideas and develop their research program alongside other students who are working on projects relevant to the region. They will also have access to the approximately 30 faculty members affiliated with the program. As researchers and educators committed to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean, students will be exposed to a range of innovative methodological and theoretical approaches that are relevant to the study of the region.
LACS Program Requirements
To complete the Specialization in LACS you will also need to take the following courses:
- LACS 5000 [0.5 Credits] Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
- LACS 5800 [0.0 Credits] Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies: This professional development course is comprised of three elements: graduate students must attend specific events organized by LACS; submit a research journal; and provide a research presentation based on their graduate work (linked to work completed in LACS 5000).
- Students choosing either the thesis or research paper options must choose a topic related to Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Students choosing the coursework option must choose a number of LACS-related elective courses, as designated by their home unit and with the permission of the LACS Coordinator.
-
Course/Credit Course name 1. 0.5 credit in: 0.5 LACS 5000 [0.5]Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies 2. 0.0 credit in: 0.0 LACS 5800 [0.0]Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3. 1.5 credits in: 1.5 INAF 5015 [0.5]Research Design and Methods for International Affairs INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs INAF 5017 [0.25]Policy Process and International Affairs INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs 4. 0.5 credit in ECON, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from (See Note 1, below): 0.5 INAF 5009 [0.5]International Aspects of Economic Development INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for Defence and Security INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade: Theory and Policy INAF 5309 [0.5]International Finance: Theory and Policy INAF 5600 [0.5]The Economics of Human Development INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics 5. 2.0 credits in: 2.0 INAF 5909 [2.0]M.A. Thesis (M.A. Thesis on an approved topic with significant content related to Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and under the supervision or co-supervision of a faculty member approved by the Graduate Supervisor of the LACS program.) 6. 0.5 credit in: Field and Elective courses (see Note 2, below) 0.5 7. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (See Note 3, below) Total Credits 5.0 -
1. 0.5 credit in: 0.5 LACS 5000 [0.5]Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies 2. 0.0 credit in: 0.0 LACS 5800 [0.0]Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3. 1.5 credits in: 1.5 INAF 5015 [0.5]Research Design and Methods for International Affairs INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs INAF 5017 [0.25]Policy Process and International Affairs INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs 4. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from: (See Note 1, below) 0.5 INAF 5009 [0.5]International Aspects of Economic Development INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for Defence and Security INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade: Theory and Policy INAF 5309 [0.5]International Finance: Theory and Policy INAF 5600 [0.5]The Economics of Human Development INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics 5. 1.0 credit in: 1.0 INAF 5908 [1.0]Research Essay (on an approved topic with significant content related to Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and under the supervision or co-supervision of a faculty member approved by the Graduate Supervisor of the LACS program.) 6. 1.5 credits in: Field and Elective courses (See Note 2, below) 1.5 7. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (see Note 3, below) Total Credits 5.0 -
1. 0.5 credit in: 0.5 LACS 5000 [0.5]Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies 2. 0.0 credit in: 0.0 LACS 5800 [0.0]Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies 3. 1.0 credit in: 1.0 INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs INAF 5017 [0.25]Policy Process and International Affairs INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs 4. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from: (See Note 1, below) 0.5 INAF 5009 [0.5]International Aspects of Economic Development INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for Defence and Security INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade: Theory and Policy INAF 5309 [0.5]International Finance: Theory and Policy INAF 5600 [0.5]The Economics of Human Development INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics 5. 1.0 credit in courses accepted by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program Graduate Coordinator as having sufficient regional content and accepted by the NPSIA M.A. Program Supervisor or Associate Director as being relevant to the student’s program of study. 1.0 6. 2.0 credits in Field and Elective courses (See Note 2, below) 2.0 7. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (see Note 3, below) Total Credits 5.0
Notes:
- All students must complete the 0.5 credit economics course for their designated field, or an approved alternate economics course. For students in the IEP field both INAF 5308 and INAF 5309, or approved equivalent, must be completed.
- For elective courses, 1.5 credits of the total required 5.0 credits may be selected from courses offered in other departments, with a maximum of 1.0 credit from a single department and a maximum of 1.0 credit selected from fourth year undergraduate courses. Any course not identified as an INAF 5000-level course must be approved by the M.A. Program Supervisor.
- Students must successfully complete an examination in second language proficiency administered by Carleton University’s School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. There is an administrative fee for the standard test (which leads to a certificate of language proficiency after successful completion). Details of the language requirement are provided on the School website.