History, Institutions and Politics of Latin America

With an eye to interdisciplinary study and with a focus on geopolitical dynamics, the course aims to illustrate the complex history of Latin America from the fall of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism in the 1800s to the present day, highlighting the major political, institutional, economic, social and cultural processes of nations across more than two centuries of history, as well as their regional and international relationships.

Upon completion of the course, students will have learned to understand, describe and interpret the political, institutional, socio-economic and cultural dynamics at play in contemporary Latin America at the national, regional and international levels. Equipped with this knowledge, students will particularly be able to understand, analyse and interpret the recent wave of progressive presidencies, which has since subsided to be followed by a period of alternating conservative and progressive governments in the different countries in the region. Students will also be able to place these dynamics in a regional, international and global context. Upon completion of the course, students will have learned to understand, describe and interpret the political, institutional, socio-economic and cultural dynamics at play in contemporary Latin America at the national, regional and international levels. Equipped with this knowledge, students will particularly be able to understand, analyse and interpret the recent wave of progressive presidencies, which has since subsided to be followed by a period of alternating conservative and progressive governments in the different countries in the region. Students will also be able to place these dynamics in a regional, international and global context.
The conceptual background acquired by students will also allow them to independently assess and interpret events as they arise in the Latin American region.
Finally, students will have learned to employ the most appropriate vocabulary when expressing their opinions and assessments concerning processes, events and dynamics in the region, whatever the professional environment in which they will end up working.