Critical Contexts in Contemporary Latin America (1960–present)

Undergraduate

This course offers a panoramic overview of contemporary Latin American literature and visual cultures from 1960 to the present. Through close readings and in-depth discussions of cultural examples, students become familiar with analytical methods that prioritize the relationships between culture and society. Organized chronologically and covering a broad geographical range from the Southern Cone to Central America and the Caribbean, we investigate how cultural production has responded to key historical moments such as revolutionary movements, state-led modernization projects, and the rise of neoliberalism and military dictatorships. We also explore key themes such as neocolonialism, decolonization, gender and sexual politics, racism, violence, human rights, indigenous movements, and environmental crises. The objective is not to present a periodized narrative of events or causally linked sources, but rather to offer representative examples of key historical transitions through cultural and political artifacts. By the end of the course, students have gained a solid understanding of the historical past and the contemporary debates that shape the Latin American region. L5 , HU 0 Course cr HTBA