Overview
Experience the unique geographic and political location of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Island offers a unique combination of geographic, cultural, and political conditions that place it both "inside" and "outside" the United States. Politically, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory and its currency is the U.S. dollar. Culturally however, Puerto Rico is very much a Caribbean and Latin American society. While all persons born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, islanders nevertheless possess a strong and unique Latin American identity. In this setting, one can simultaneously study issues of political and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as issues of race and ethnicity that are of "domestic" U.S. concern.
Together with the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Politics (ISSR), examine social and economic development, race and ethnicity, and political and social movements.
The program is directed by professor César Ayala of the UCLA Sociology Department and professor Mark Sawyer of the UCLA Political Science Department.
Financial aid is available to qualified UCLA students. All other students should inquire about financial aid at their home institution. For more information on financial aid, click here.