Latin American Studies

This course examines the political systems of Latin America. It analyzes the different processes of democratization among the Latin American countries from 1900 to the present, discussing the social and economic effects these transformations have had on society.

This course presents the effects, contradicting dilemmas, challenges, and alternatives that the economic and financial globalization process presents to the specific cultures and national identities in the current world system. It is divided into three units: civilizations, culture, and global capitalism; cultural identity and globalization in Latin America; and cultural diversity and creativity.

This course provides a historical examination of the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the main processes and differing perspectives with which Latin American history has been written. Topics discussed include: the impact of European conquest and colonization on the indigenous populations of the region; elaborates on the legacies of colonialism and independence as they affected the model of the oligarchic liberal state; the transition of the State and the subsequent irruption of the masses on a country by country basis; the context of important events that have affected the region, such as the Cuban revolution, Cold War, economic crisis, and the rise of authoritarianism; present day processes of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as crucial points in the founding of current ideologies revolving around neoliberal globalization, political transition, and emancipatory alternatives.