Latin American & Caribbean Studies Autumn 2024 Courses

LACS 16100/34600 (ANTH 23101; HIST 16101/36101; SOSC 26100; CRES 16101)

Section 1: TR 11:00 – 12:20PM with Emilio Kourí

Section 2: TR 2:00 – 3:20PM with Emilio Kourí

Section 3: MW 1:30 – 2:50PM with Sarah Newman

Section 4: TR 12:30 – 1:50PM with Dain Borges

Section 5: MW 3:00 – 4:20PM with Claudia Brittenham

May be taken in sequence or individually. This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. This course examines the origins of civilizations in Latin America with a focus on the political, social, and cultural features of the major pre-Columbian civilizations of the Maya, Inca, and Aztec. The quarter concludes with an analysis of the Spanish and Portuguese conquest, and the construction of colonial societies in Latin America.

LACS 16200/34700 (HIST 16102/36102; PPHA 39770; SOSC 26200; CRES 16102; ANTH 23102; RDIN 16200)
Dain Borges
TR 9:30 –10:50AM

May be taken in sequence or individually. This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. This course addresses the evolution of colonial societies, the wars of independence, and the emergence of Latin American nation-states in the changing international context of the nineteenth century.

LACS 25135/35135 (HIST 26309/36309)
Aurora Gómez Galvarriato
MWF 1:30 – 2:20PM

The course explores Latin America’s historical evolution, analyzing the factors that have promoted or limited its economic development from the 16th century to the present. It seeks to familiarize students with the main debates on the economic history of the region, including the most recent literature. Despite its diversity, Latin American countries share several common traits, linked to its past, that have resulted in lower levels of income and greater poverty than the Global North, and very high inequality by international standards. This course aims to acquaint students with Latin America’s diversity and, at the same time, identify its common characteristics. The course will delve into the following traits, that although unevenly distributed through the region, have shaped Latin America’s economic development: indigenous legacies, colonial extraction, slavery, European migration, political fragmentation and instability, integration into the global economy through commodities’ exports, low educational levels, poor innovation and financial development, limited industrialization, and frequent macroeconomic crises.

LACS 25136/35136 (PLSC 25136)
Cristóbal Bellolio
TR 12:30 – 1:50PM

According to the end of history thesis and the nineties optimism that fueled it, the world would converge in a combination of liberal democracy and market economy. However, in recent years, a specter of political pessimism haunts the globe. Although democracies do not die as dramatically as they used to, new kinds of authoritarianisms have emerged. Some say that populism is to blame, others point to economic crises, identity politics and even the rise of social media, not to mention the elephant in the room: whether democracy can handle the climate crisis. Is democracy really receding? Are these its causes? Can survive its most pressing challenges?

LACS 29700
ARR.

Students and instructors can arrange a Reading and Research course in Latin American Studies when the material being studied goes beyond the scope of a particular course, when students are working on material not covered in an existing course or when students would like to receive academic credit for independent research.

PQ: Consent of faculty adviser required.

LACS 29801
Diana Schwartz Francisco
F 9:30 –12:20PM

This colloquium, which is led by the preceptor and BA adviser, assists students in formulating approaches to the BA essay and developing their research and writing skills, while providing a forum for group discussion and critiques. Graduating students present their BA essays in a public session of the colloquium during the Spring Quarter.

PQ: Must be a 4th year major in Latin American Studies to enroll.

Note: Students enrolled in this course will be able to complete all requirements of this course remotely. In-person elements of this course will be optional.

LACS 29900
ARR.

Independent BA thesis course.
PQ: Consent of undergraduate thesis/project adviser required.

LACS 40100
ARR.

Students and instructors can arrange a Reading and Research course in Latin American Studies when the material being studied goes beyond the scope of a particular course, when students are working on material not covered in an existing course or when students would like to receive academic credit for independent research.

PQ: Consent of faculty adviser required.