About the Unit The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) plays a strong role in administering, stimulating, and coordinating Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) courses. CLAS coordinates the three-quarter Introduction to Latin American Civilization, one of the civilization studies sequences that form part of the College’s Core curriculum requirements. In addition to serving an essential function within the College, Introduction to Latin American Civilization feeds the LACS major and minor programs. The LACS major is an interdisciplinary program for students who want to engage critical issues in the social sciences and humanities through deep immersion in the histories, cultures, economies, politics, and natural environments of Latin America and