Outreach

Outreach Committee
Chair: Natalie Arsenault, University of Chicago
Members: Paul Duncan, University of Georgia; Karen Goldman, University of Pittsburgh; Claire Gonzalez, Vanderbilt University; Keira Philipp-Schnurer, University of New Mexico; Denise Woltering, Tulane University

The CLASP Outreach Committee sponsors a variety of initiatives designed to share public engagement strategies among members and extend Latin American studies resources to outside audiences, including K–16 educators, community organizations, businesses, the media, and other individuals/organizations that are interested in learning more about Latin America.

The Outreach Committee organizes conference sessions for outreach professionals to discuss best practices, coordinates exhibit booths at educator conferences to promote resources, and advances opportunities for collaborative activities among CLASP members. Under the auspices of the Outreach Committee, CLASP sponsors the Américas Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, which has its own chair and selection committee.

Duties of the Outreach Committee chair and members:

Utilize the CLASP listserv to disseminate information on collaborative outreach activities and opportunities for CLASP members to participate
Propose outreach-themed sessions for the Latin American Studies Association congress
Update outreach information on the CLASP website
Organize other activities (e.g., conference exhibits) as interest arises
Serve as a resource for CLASP members, and other individuals/organizations, who request consultation on outreach activities

Américas Award for Children’s & Young Adult Literature
Co-chairs: Denise Woltering-Vargas, Tulane University, and Claire González, Vanderbilt University

CLASP founded the Américas Award in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use. CLASP offers up to two annual book awards, together with a commended list of titles.

Criteria
Up to two awards (for primary and secondary reading levels) are given in recognition of U.S. published works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. By linking the Americas, the intent is to reach beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere.

Books will be judged for: 1) distinctive literary quality; 2) cultural contextualization; 3) exceptional integration of text, illustration and design; and 4) potential for classroom use.

2013 Announcement

Also make sure to check out the latest updates and current events on Américas Award on Facebook – facebook.com/americasaward

Latin American Studies Teacher Training Network
Five Title VI-funded National Resource Centers for Latin American Studies, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, have committed funding to support professional development for their regional teachers. By collaborating, we hope to give K-12 educators access to quality summer teacher institutes offered nationally by a network of Latin American studies centers. A selected list of summer opportunities can be found in the News section of the CLASP website.