Central American Studies in U.S Academia

The Rise of Central American Studies: A field powered by the Diaspora

Researcher & Writer: Jorge Paz Reyes

Editor: Jocelyn Monroy-Saavedra

Graphics: Jorge Paz Reyes

In recent years, Central American Studies have gained recognition among institutions on the West Coast. This past fall the East Los Angeles Community College announced its new Central American Studies Program. Becoming the first community college to offer a program focused on the experiences of the Central American Community in the country.

Central American studies are made up of an interdisciplinary foundation of history, politics, sociology, Spanish and ethnic and gender studies. The program draws from the culture and experiences of the Central American region as well as from the Central American diaspora in the United States.

Although Central American and Chicana/o Studies unearth similar topics and can spur solidarity between both groups, Central American experiences are different enough to stand alone. If they don’t, Central America’s specific history of national traumas and international interferences tends to get erased.

The program stems from the legacy of Chicana/o and Latin American departments, which for years have focused on the Latinx experience in the United States but with a predominant focus on the Mexican experience. Chicana/o, Puerto Rican, and Latin American studies found through U.S academia share many areas of interest with Central American Studies but it has become necessary to highlight the specific traumas and histories of the Central American community.

The rise of Central American Studies directly comes from the activism and efforts of the Central American diaspora. The number of U.S Central American migrants in higher education keeps growing and the need for belonging and representation has grown with it.

Data has shown the lack of literature discussing the U.S. Central American experiences past the migration trends of the 1980s. Similarly, research has shown that for years, Central Americans have experienced a dual sense of belonging, forcing them to rely more on their Latinx identity than their Central American background. The rise of Central American Studies emerges from a need for belonging and representation.

Despite Central American Studies’ growth, its presence still remains limited within academia. Currently, there are only a few higher ed institutions that offer programs focused on or related to Central American Studies.

The California State University Northridge is the only one that offers an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in the field and has a center dedicated to it. Nearly all of these institutions are located on the West Coast, and currently, there is no full Central American program offered on the East Coast despite the presence of Central Americans in the area.

A movement in social media and among scholars has grown to continue pushing for Central American representation in higher education. Most of that scholarship can be found on Twitter and other social media platforms, where the activism continues.

If you want to support Central American scholarship and the growth of Central American representation check out these spaces, products of the diaspora.

#CentralAmericanTwitter
#CentAmStudies
CentAm_Beauty Account
Central American Voices - This account

Central American Studies in U.S Academia

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