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Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute

Tulane University

Caroline Richardson Building
New Orleans, LA  70118-5698
phone:  (504) 862-8629
fax:  (504) 862-8678

cuba@tulane.edu
The Cuban & Caribbean Studies Institute, a part of Tulane's Stone Center for Latin American Studies, and originally named the Cuban Studies Institute, evolved out of several years of sustained effort in developing relations with Cuban counterpart organizations for the purposes of academic collaboration and exchange, curricular development, cultural exchange and international development and dialogue. This organizational unit, officially established in 1997, has been responsible for the organization of a variety of lectures, performances, courses, symposia, etc. aimed at promoting a true academic and cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States. Since its origination, the Institute has also led an annual summer study session in Cuba which provides students with a rare opportunity to study and live in Havana, Cuba. The courses are generally hosted by the University of Havana, but they are supplemented with various cultural excursions including museum trips, art openings, cultural performances, etc. In addition, the Institute fosters and coordinates Cuba-related initiatives in other units of the University, such as in the Schools of Architecture, Social Work, and Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Reflecting the success of these efforts, Tulane University in recent years has had a greater presence of faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students in Cuba than any other American university. In addition, the sponsorship of Visiting Professors from the U.S. and Cuba itself that have contributed Cuban-themed course offerings throughout the years, and the flow of visiting Cuban speakers, artists, and performers who have participated in special events on campus, have in turn created a strong "Cuban" presence in the Tulane community.

In the Spring of 2002, the Institute's name changed from the "Cuban Studies Institute" to its current name to reflect the expansion of its scope to Cuban and Caribbean Studies. The Institute's intent is to continue developing great strength in Cuban and other Caribbean programming as these areas are enriched by Tulane's new faculty lines and considerable student interest.  As part of Tulane’s Stone Center for Latin American Studies, the Institute is affiliated with faculty throughout most schools and departments on campus and has been able to collaborate with other faculty / departments in the promotion and sponsorship of Caribbean programming. 


Academic Programs

Presently, the Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute operates Tulane's Summer in Cuba Program, the first and largest undergraduate program ever nationally offered by a U.S. Center for Latin American Studies. The Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute also offers speakers series, symposia, and conferences  to the academic community and general public, where experts on Cuba and the Caribbean are invited to Tulane to discuss the culture, literature, visual arts, performance arts - particularly theatre and music, history, economics and other issues of interest. Reflecting our commitment to community outreach, these events are publicized on all major university campuses in New Orleans as well as in the non-academic community. The Book Exchange and Donation Program is an area where the Institute is expanding its work. This program, operated in conjunction with the Latin American Library of Tulane University, exchanges and donates both fiction and non-fiction books as well as journals and other informational materials. Participating institutions include the University of Havana, the Echeverría Higher Polytechnic Institute, Cuban NGO's, professional associations and other members of the Cuban and Caribbean Studies Institute's network of collaborating institutions in Cuba. Other activities of the Institute include advising, and facilitating travel licensing for professors and graduate students engaged in work in Cuba.  The Institute also supports Tulane graduate student fellowships for research in Cuba and the Caribbean. These grants assist in covering airfare and/or lodging expenses during research projects in the area. The Institute works closely with numerous other units of Tulane University to develop, facilitate and implement Cuba-related projects. For example, the Institute has facilitated the efforts of the Tulane School of Law in its work on waterways conservation, environmental impact studies and information sharing with the Directorate of Environmental Policy. The Institute has also facilitated collaborative research on the development of laws concerning the environment and bio-diversity issues. The Institute works with the School of Architecture in the Cuba-related aspects of their Master of Preservation Studies, which involves extensive study of Cuban architectural preservation efforts throughout the island as well as consultation on neighborhood revitalization efforts in Havana. The Cuba Working Group forms another area of activity of the Institute. The purpose of the working group is to bring together faculty and graduate students from Tulane and other universities to discuss and conduct research concerning Cuba. The objective is to stimulate research while examining issues of mutual interest and concern. This approach also allows participants to move beyond the seminar format and to develop and pursue direct research collaboration, similar to that typically characterizing training in the natural sciences. The working group unites scholars in different fields who together determine the precise focus of their research and training, such as political economy, gender issues, the environment, religious change, and culture. The group is funded by the Institute to pay for research assistance, materials and outside speakers.


The Cultural Relations Initiative

The Institute has also been involved in the promotion of cultural relations between New Orleans and Havana. New Orleans, a city much more caribbean than southern, shares much history with Cuba, and specifically Havana. The cities of New Orleans and Havana share a rich historical heritage which continues to be a strong bonding force today. The Spanish presence impacted the culture of both cities in similar ways and is readily seen in the beautiful architecture of many of New Orleans' and Havana's old buildings. Enhancing this historic cultural bond was the strong trade relationship that existed between these two cities. In the middle part of this century, over one third of the trade from the Port of New Orleans was destined to Havana and over 6,000 people in the city were employed in areas directly related to trade with Cuba. Today, the cities continue to have many similarities: both cities are approximately the same size and both of their economies are dependent on sugar, tourism and maritime commerce. The large Cuban, Creole and African descendent populations that live in Havana and New Orleans further link these two communities. In addition, the cities are leaders in tropical medicine and both share a susceptibility to natural disasters. Symbolic of the historic bond and feeling of sisterhood that exists between the two cities is the fact that D'Iberville is interred in Havana and that Jose Marti spent time in New Orleans during his residence in the United States.