A small group of Faculty will meet later this month to discuss creating a new Latin American studies track that would be part of the existing Romance Languages and Literatures concentration.

The potential new track--which is still in the earliest stages of development--seeks to accommodate what some Faculty members have seen as a growing student interest in the field, according to Professor of Romance Languages Bradley S. Epps.

"These initiatives are responding to students' needs," said Epps, who is part of the cross-departmental group of scholars advancing the idea.

Currently, undergraduates who are interested in Latin American studies have the option of obtaining a certificate in Latin American Studies from the Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, but have no formal avenue for study through a particular concentration.

In order to qualify for the certificate, a student must complete a language requirement, courses on Latin America and write a thesis on a topic concerning Latin America.

A new track in Latin American Studies, as it is envisioned, would be an additional track for students within the romance languages concentration.

The concentration already has tracks for French and Francophone literature, French and Francophone studies, Hispanic literature, Hispanic studies, Italian literature, Italian studies, Portuguese and Brazilian literature, Portuguese and Brazilian studies and romance studies.

According to Stephen J. Reifenberg, executive director of the Rockefeller Center, the current level of student participation in the center's Latin American studies certificate program suggests there is enough interest to support the potential track.