CLAS Newsletter

Women in the World: Global Poverty, Gender, & Race

Around the world women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty. Globally, women are less likely to own land, receive a secondary education, have access to a banking institution, and in low income communities, maternal mortality rates skyrocket. These statistics are even higher for women of color. Moreover, this inequality has only been further highlighted by the recent impacts of the global pandemic, Covid-19. And yet, it has been proven that investing in women and girls is beneficial to the economy and society overall. Despite these correlations, it's projected that global gender equality will not be reached for another 108 years.

To help us understand the challenges to global gender equality, especially in-light of Covid-19, the Columbus Council on World Affairs has invited Gayle Smith to lead us in a discussion around this very important topic. The discussion will be held September 1, from 12-1 PM, on Zoom.

CLAS Virtual Coffee Hour

As of right now, there will be no Coffee Hour this week, but please click the button below to view our calendar of events with future coffee hour sessions!

Nineteenth-century Afro-Brazilian writer, Machado de Assis, made the news in Brazil and abroad due to several upcoming and just launched translations of his most famous novel. Specialists started to revisit his works within the framework of slavery and racial issues in Brazil, and Machado de Assis has been brought to the spotlight again. Dr. Paulo Dutra briefly discussed several aspects of the whitening process of Machado de Assis and the current status of the scholarship on the topic.

Coffee Hours are designed to continue offering ways to network and engage with each other on topics and themes related to Latin America. Discussions will take place on Zoom every Thursday from 1:30 - 2:30 PM. Please suggest new themes and/or lead future discussions based on your interests (music, cooking demonstrations, favorite books, review of journal articles, etc.). What would you like to see in future coffee hours? Email Megan Hasting with your ideas!

8/13 Coffee Hour: TBD

CLAS publishes its first Annual Report, "CLAS of 2019-20"

The Center for Latin American Studies is excited to announce our very first Annual Report publication, CLAS of 2019-20. This electronic publication wraps up the 2019-2020 academic year, featuring academic and outreach programming, updates on leadership transitions, and faculty and student news.

What's inside:

Center News: CLAS Director, Dr. Terrell Morgan, retires after nearly five years of leading the center. Read about his successful leadership and all he has accomplished at Ohio State. (Page 4)

Academic Programming: We have listed CLAS' 26 lectures, conferences, and events held on campus this past year, and feature articles on Día de los Muertos, Sebastián Calfuqueo Aliste's residency, and the 4th Annual Quechua Alliance Meeting. (Pages 7-9)

Outreach: We have listed CLAS' 18 programs offered to teachers, business leaders, students, and community members, featuring pieces on Summer Seminars Abroad for Spanish Teachers (SSAST), CCWA Luncheon on Climate Change, and Virtual Coffee Hours. (Pages 10-12)

Faculty Updates: Read about some of our 131 CLAS affiliated faculty members on campus, including Elvia Andía Grágeda, the world's first certified OPI tester for Quechua. (Pages 12-15)

Student News: Learn about our 37 students awarded with either a FLAS or Tinker Fellowship. (Pages 16-17)

It is our intent to make this a yearly publication. Enjoy reading and please let us know what you think!