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The Americas

Campus: Washington DC, SAIS Europe

Overview

Develop an understanding of the economic development and the democratization of the Americas - Latin American, Caribbean and North America – amidst the backdrop of its multiple challenges that include economic obstacles, democratic backsliding, enduring violence, and migration. Study the region’s role within the broader global context as the world order evolves. The Americas focus area offers a policy-oriented curriculum complemented by various experiential learning opportunities such as travel to the region, speaker events, and internships.

Curriculum

The Americas Focus Area offers a robust selection of 18 classes that affords students the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the Americas across a wide array of functional areas to include politics, economics, finance, development, security & conflict, energy & the environment, and migration.

Latin America's Political Economy: From Colonial to Contemporary Challenges
Financial Crises and Policy Dilemmas in Emerging Markets and Latin America
Security, Conflict, and Migration in Latin America
Mass Migration in Latin America, Causes and Consequences
Urban Economics for the Developing World: Economy, Equity, and Sustainability
Everything Changes but Nothing Changes: Contemporary Brazil from 1950-present
U.S. and China Rivalry in Latin America and Africa
Dynamics of North American Business and Trade
Contemporary Issues of Inter-American Relations
Conflict Resolution and Peace Building in Latin America
Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean: New Challenges Amidst Growing Insecurity
Energy in the Americas: Conflict, Cooperation & Future Prospects
Politics of North American Economic Integration
China and Latin America
Contemporary and Evolving Policy Challenges in Latin America
Policy Consulting Practicum/Canada Study Trip
Latin America Research Seminar/Colombia Study Trip
Public Diplomacy and Public Opinion/Brazil Study Trip

The Americas Focus Area publishes a bi-annual newsletter that highlights key activities throughout the semester, informing students of future opportunities and showcasing major accomplishments. Click on these links to download the Spring 2025 and the Fall 2024 newsletters.

Study Trips

The Americas offers multiple opportunities to travel to the region to gain field research experience and to engage with leaders and partner organizations. Students are encouraged to present the findings of their research from traveling abroad.

FEATURED COURSES

Latin America's Political Economy: From Colonial to Contemporary Challenges

Covers the basic interpretive frameworks that have been employed to analyze political change in Latin America, from the

original debates between modernization and dependency theory through the rise of authoritarian regimes to the more recent studies on democratic transitions, neoliberal politics and economics and the consolidation of democratic regimes. Required introductory course for all LASP students.

Financial Crises and Policy Dilemmas in Emerging Markets and Latin America

Cover key macroeconomic and financial policy issues facing Emerging Markets. The course is divided into two parts.

The first explores the causes, dynamics and consequences of selected crises episodes affecting emerging markets and Latin America; from the debt crises of the 1980’s to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second part addresses issues regarding crisis resolution, including the political economy of crises, their long run impacts on the economy, and the future of the international financial architecture.

China and Latin America

Over the past decade, China has emerged as a principal economic partner for much of Latin America. This course examines whether

and how China's economic activity in Latin America will evolve in the coming years, taking China's domestic considerations, evolving Belt and Road objectives, Latin American political economy, US policy, and other factors into account. The course will also address the political, social, and security-related implications of Latin America's over two decades of enhanced relations with China.

Energy in the Americas: Conflict, Cooperation & Future Prospects

Analyzes the political economy of energy conflict and cooperation by function and in terms of major players. The functional component

covers the politics of oil, natural gas issues, biofuels, energy infrastructure, energy organization and regulation, private and public sector participation, geopolitics and other energy topics. The major players component includes the politics of energy in Canada, Mexico, the United States, the Andean countries, Brazil, the Southern Cone and Venezuela, and also offers a global perspective on the impact of the world’s major energy producers and consumers (i.e. China, India, the Middle East countries and Russia) on the Americas.

Albert "Jim" Marckwardt

Program Administrator and Adjunct Professor, Faculty Co-Lead, The Americas Focus Area

Francisco González

Associate Professor of International Political Economy and Latin American Politics, Faculty Co-Lead, The Americas Focus Area

Liliana Diaz

Adjunct Lecturer

Cynthia Arnson

Adjunct Lecturer

SAIS is unique and flexible, allowing me to tailor studies to my specific interests and career goals, with a broad alumni network that is eager to help current students.

Studying China's Engagement in Latin America

With my degree, I am hoping to build a career that would allow me to give back to my community, to give back to Colombia. As a Chinese Colombian, I would like to be part of that bridge that connects the two countries and the wider Latin American region.

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From Kansas to Canada and Back

When it came time to pick my region of focus at SAIS, it was a no-brainer. The Canadian Studies program at SAIS gave me an in-depth understanding of Canadian policy issues and helped me develop my skills in policy writing.

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Beyond the Classroom

Security Challenges in Latin America Forum

The Americas Focus Area and the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies co-host the premiere day-long annual forum at SAIS that brings together thought leaders from various disciplines to discuss current security challenges affecting Latin America. Each year the forum focuses on different themes. The 2024 forum will focus on securing the environment and how the armed forces and law enforcement can address deforestation and IUU fishing. The 2023 forum focused on contemporary evolving threats in the region and the 2022 forum focused on the intersection of gender and security.

5th Annual Forum on Security Challenges in Latin America

World Class Events

The Americas regularly hosts multiple expert policy makers, scholars, and organizes forums throughout the academic year to deepen the students understanding and expand the conversation on the contemporary issues facing the region. Students are encouraged to explore topics by attending events and by showcasing their own research.

China’s Increased Influence in Latin America Is it a threat for the region and the U.S.?

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