Students at the March Up Bascom looking to the right, carrying flags of Latin American countries

Students gather in front of Bascom Hall to celebrate the beginning of Latinx Heritage Month. Photo credit: Ray Kirsch/WSUM News

MISSION STATEMENT

The Program in Chican@ & Latin@ Studies (CLS) offers a systematic and interdisciplinary analysis of Mexican- and Latin American-origin people, cultures, and collectivities within the United States.  The CLS certificate and major are designed to provide students with a broad knowledge base and the intellectual tools to understand the unity and diversity of U.S. Latina/o populations.  The primary objective of the CLS Program is to train students in the study of Chican@s and Latin@s and to introduce them to the central questions, topics, and applications that have emerged in this field of inquiry.  CLS offers a variety of courses, some focusing on particular national-origin groups or specific academic disciplines, and others organized around comparative topics or issues.  We welcome you to join our community of learners.

Declare the Major

The CLS Program offers an interdisciplinary major and certificate. Contact Advisor Rachelle Eilers via Starfish or email, or learn about the program and declare online!

Detail of mural "The Inheritance of Struggle" by Leo Tanguma (Memorial Union)

 

 

Newsletter

Our latest newsletter highlights the CLS Program’s achievements during Fall 2024.
Thumbnail of Fall 2024 Newsletter

2024-2025 Speaker Series: Latinx Art and Protest

Demonstrators with a parachute at a protest organized by MTEA in Milwaukee

Ready for a stimulating dialogue on important issues of the day?  With the support of the Anonymous Fund and several campus partners, the Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program will bring emerging figures in our interdisciplinary field to campus this year.  Check out the full schedule on the speaker series web page.

CLS News

  • Michael Light Image

    Daily Cardinal Highlights the Work of Prof. Michael Light

    As part of an issue focused on immigration in Wisconsin, the Daily Cardinal highlighted the teaching and research of Michael Light. A Professor of Sociology and Chican@ & Latin@ Studies, Light has been teaching the class …

  • Theresa Delgadillo profile

    CLS Director Theresa Delgadillo Wins Teaching Award

    CLS Director Theresa Delgadillo was awarded the Chancellor’s Inclusive Excellence Award for teaching in Spring 2025.  A recent announcement by the University lists her among recipients of this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards. The announcement notes …

  • Malaquias Montoya Headshot

    CLS Panelists Montoya and Tafoya Speak with WORT Radio

    On Wednesday, February 26th, journalist Carlos Dávalos  and morning talk host Tony Castañeda interviewed artists Malaquías Montoya and Dewey Tafoya about the connection between art and political struggle.  The interview is available online. Montoya and …

  • More news

Events

There are no upcoming events.