CATALOG 1952-1953


 SCHOOL OF INTER-AMERICAN STUDIES

 HISTORY
 For more than two decades the University of Florida has promoted interest in
Latin America through an active Latin American area study program. The Institute
of Inter-American Affairs of the University, created in 1930, pioneered in the organi-
zation and coordination of inter-American activities on the campus, and encouraged
the establishment of new course offerings in the inter-American field. This division
of the University also granted scholarships to students from Latin America so that they
might study here certain subjects which were not offered in their own countries,
notably courses in agriculture and engineering.
 In 1950 steps were taken to expand the inter-American program at the University
by establishing the Graduate School of Inter-American Studies to coordinate advanced
work in Latin American subjects in the various disciplines. In 1951 the Institute of
Inter-American Affairs and the Graduate School of Inter-American Studies were com-
bined into a single University unit with the title of School of Inter-American Studies.
The School now is responsible not only for supervising all undergraduate and graduate
course offerings but also for conducting all other aspects of the University's program
in the inter-American field.
 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
 As presently organized, the School is headed by a Director; associated with him
is an Assistant Director. Both are nominated by the President and elected by the Board
of Control. Each is responsible directly to the President. The faculty of the School
includes members of the line faculties of the various departments and colleges who are
engaged in teaching courses having inter-American content. The School functions at
the graduate level to establish inter-departmental curricula including an area study
program, and operates under the rules of the Graduate School. At the undergraduate
level, the School coordinates the inter-American programs administered by the various
departments and colleges. It also offers advisory services on curricula, and assists
in the counseling of students.
 The School has an Advisory Committee (The University Committee on Inter-
American Affairs) consisting of twelve members of the University staff, appointed by
the President. There are also an Honorary Advisory Committee and an International
Advisory Committee. The Honorary Advisory Committee includes the Ambassadors of
all Latin American republics to the United States. The International Advisory Com-
mittee is made up of leading citizens of the United States and Latin America, who
because of their interest, their position, and other qualifications, have been asked to
assist the School in the formulation and execution of its program.

 AIMS AND FUNCTIONS
 Besides the on-campus functions, the program of the School aims to foster under-
standing of and mutual appreciation among the peoples of the Western Hemisphere.
It encourages in schools, colleges, and universities the teaching of subjects dealing with
languages, peoples, and institutions of the Western Hemisphere; it stimulates specific
studies common to the Americas; it encourages the exchange of students, professors,
and other specialists among colleges and universities of the Americas; it assists govern-
ments and industry in training and orienting personnel; it disseminates throughout the
Western Hemisphere by all available media information concerning the educational,