ILAS is thus one of the first educational centers in the United States specifically dedicated to the study of Latin America. Over the ensuing decades, the institute has developed into a major center of scholarship and teaching on subjects related to Latin America. The Duke-UNC Program enables the two universities to offer an exceptionally broad range of courses and provide supplementary educational opportunities that neither institution could offer separately. In 1990 the Duke-UNC Program received a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for additional cooperation, which has funded a variety of activities including research and training working groups. The working groups meet throughout the academic year, bringing students and faculty from both campuses together.
Undergraduate participation is encouraged.
Since 1991, the Duke-UNC Program has been designated a National Resource Center under Title VI of the Higher Education Act. As one of thirteen such centers nationwide, the Duke-UNC Program is provided with resources that significantly enrich the curriculum. In addition to encouraging research and teaching of Latin American subjects, Title VI funds permit the Duke-UNC Program to sponsor unique activities such as our highly regarded summer intensive language program in Yucatec Maya. Statewide outreach is also an important part of Title VI, which includes a college professor workshop, a public school teacher workshop, and an annual film festival. The Outreach Program also houses a video library and other resource materials available to undergraduates.