Latin American Studies

This course provides a study of the role of emotions within modern and contemporary Latin American narrative and novels. Topics include: characterization of the emotions of love, hate, fear, hope, happiness, sadness, and disgust; the role emotions play in novels and how it affects the body; the social, ideological, and esthetic dimensions of emotions. Texts include: Juan Rodolfo Wilcok, LOS AMANTES; Nona Fernández, CHILEAN ELECTRIC; Ana Peluffo, EL CLAVE EMOCIONAL. CULTURA Y AFECTO EN AMÉRICA LATINA; Mariana Enriquez, EL CHICO SUCIO.

Cuba, the "Pearl of the Antilles" had long been the heartpiece of imperial aspirations. One of the last Spanish colonies after the revolutions in South and Central America, it played a defining role in Spanish imperial identity. Meanwhile in the US, intellectuals had argued all throughout the 19th century that the island was a natural extension to the Nation, and should be conquered as a logical conclusion to the Monroe Doctrine. When after the war of 1898 the island came into American hands, Spain fell into a deep crisis of identity. The United States though took its first steps into the arena of colonial world politics, in turn becoming an empire. All the while, the Cuban’s desire for independence became a mere footnote in the aftermath. The colonial and imperial struggles had another dimension to them: Gender. A common propaganda theme in the US depicted the Spaniards as raping Cuba. While Theodore Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders" came to define the ideal American masculinity after the war, Spaniards questioned if they were still manly enough to belong to the club of civilized European nations. This seminar will follow three objectives: First, understanding the importance of Cuba to Spain and the United States before the war of 1898, as well as the events leading up to the war. Second, comparing the ascent of the American Empire with the decline of the Spanish Empire. Third, introducing the analytical category of gender as a tool to understanding geopolitical conflicts in the age of colonialism.

This course provides a study of pre-Hispanic Mayan literature and culture as it interacts and changes with the beginning of colonization. Topics include: from izapa to post-classic; cosmogeny, structure of the univers, pantheon, and calendars; social structure-- nobility, commoners, and slaves; political organization-- lordships and states; economic organization-- tribute and trade. Authors and texts covered include: Fray Diego de Landa; Mercedes de la Garza; Chilam balam de Chumayel; Rabinal Achi; Popol Vuh. 

This course provides a study of pre-Hispanic Nahuatl literature and culture as it interacts and changes with the beginning of colonization. Topics include: characterization of Nahuatl literary genres, alphabetization of oral traditions, Spanish conquistador influence and basic comprehension of the Nahuatl language of Central Mexico. Texts covered include: Miguel León-Portilla, EL DESTINO DE LA PALABRA; Patrick K. Johansson, LA PALABRA, LA IMAGEN Y EL MANUSCRITO; Rafael Tena, MITOS E HISTORIAL DE LOS ANTIGUOS NAHUAS; Elizabeth Hill Boone, CICLOS DE TIEMPO Y SIGNIFICADO EN LOS LIBROS MEXICANOS DEL DESTINO.

The course identifies the impact of U.S. interventionism on the political, economic, and social transformations in Latin America and the Caribbean. It discusses the political crisis, process of re-colonization, and the eco-social collapse affecting the region. The course analyzes political forces, corporations, national and regional actors, power blocks, integration mechanisms, and de facto powers and their role in the systemic and environmental crisis that exists in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

This course provides a panoramic view of the relationship between the media and modern Brazilian popular music, from the 1950s to the present day. Topics include Bossa Nova, Tropicália, Jovem Guarda, song festivals, national rock, and other important MPB movements.

This course examines paradigms in Brazilian foreign policy, as well as the role of economic development on Brazilian foreign policy. Topics include the Republican regime and foreign policy; Americanism and Pan-Americanism; the Cold War and foreign policy; impact of the economy on foreign policy; independent foreign policy and globalism; foreign policy of the military regime and Americanism; geopolitics and national security doctrine; revival of globalism and consolidation; democracy and foreign policy; post-Cold War and Brazilian international insertion; actors in Brazilian foreign policy.

This course surveys political thought in Meso- and South America, translated into English. It introduces a broad range of (mostly left) political currents in Castilian- and Portuguese-dominant societies, across historical periods. It covers a variety of thinkers and texts, including Vasconcelos, Mariátegui, Guevara, Anzaldúa, Nascimento and Quijano, among others.