Introduction to Latin American Studies: History, Culture and Society

Undergraduate

This course provides a political and social introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean, an extraordinarily diverse group of countries in the Western Hemisphere. Latin America is often presented as a region characterized by poverty, inequality, crime, drugs, political instability, and armed conflict. However, this stereotype does not reflect the remarkable economic and political development over the last few decades. While social, legal, political, and economic factors vary within and between the countries of the region, since the 1980s, many countries that faced authoritarian regimes transitioned to democracy; Most children in the region now have access to healthcare and attend school; The subcontinent is at the center of the climate justice agenda while dealing with new forms of colonialism from the “Global North”; Latin America is pioneering women’s inclusion in politics, parity policies, and legal landmarks to combat gender-based political violence; Latin American feminism, queer activism, and movements advocating for the rights of black people, indigenous communities, and environmental protection are vibrant and have achieved pivotal accomplishments. Still, some governance challenges persist, and new ones have emerged. HU MW 2:35pm-3:50pm