History, Institutions and Politics of Latin America
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
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.
Expected learning outcomes
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.
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.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
Course Programme For Attending Students - 9 Cfu
A frame about the discovery, the exploration, the conquest and the colonial organization of Spanish and Portuguese empires.
The 19th century is explored with a focus on international and global contexts and the following processes are illustrated: riots for the independence from Spain (1810) and the birth of the independent Brazil (1822), the political instability (the long attendance), the building of new national States, the model of the primary exporter, the liberal era (the so-called British century) with a focus on the relationships with Europe and United States.
The Spanish-American War (1898) and Cuba: from colony to protectorate USA until the 1959 revolution. Cuba from 1959 until today.
The 20th century is examined with a focus on international and global contexts and the following processes are illustrated: the end of the liberal political and economical scheme; the rise of United States as new regional actor and the decline of the British role; the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917); the Constitutions of 1917 and Lázaro Cárdenas. the birth of PRI ruling party until 2019; Mexico today.
The advancing of populism and the relationship among the masses (Vargas; Cárdenas and Perón); the World War II (the so-called "caesura"), Cold War and its consequences, revolutions and repression in '60s and '70s (for the difusion of rural and urban 'guerrillas'; new authoritarian regimes; transition to democracy (the legacy of the dictatorships); the neoliberal era in '90s.
The new Millennium: new political leaders, progressive and innovative parties and their final act, the last years and the beginning of a season of alternating conservative and progressive governments and the emergence of radical parties of extreme right. The lessons aim to analyse the main political and economical changes in institutions and society and to monitor actual dynamics and political evolutions (e.g., elections, migrations, peace process, indigenous rights in relation to territorial claims, environmental protection and exploitation of natural resources). The students shall study them in recent journal articles and in the documents uploaded on the site MyAriel (section Contents, file Materials for attending students).
Course Programme For Non-Attending Students - 9 cfu
The course deals with the following historical periods:
A frame about the discovery, the exploration, the conquest and the colonial organization of Spanish and Portuguese empires.
The XIX century: riots for the independence from Spain (1810) and the birth of the independent Brazil (1822), the political instability (the long attendance), the building of new national States, the model of the primary exporter, the liberal era (the so-called British century) with a focus on the relationships with Europe and United States.
The Spanish-American War (1898) and Cuba: from colony to protectorate USA until the 1959 revolution. Cuba from 1959 until today.
The XX century; the end of the liberal political and economical scheme; the rise of United States as new regional actor and the decline of the British role; the advancing of populism and the relationship among the masses; World War II (the so-called "caesura"), Cold War and its consequences, revolutions and repression in '60s and '70s; new authoritarian regimes; transition to democracy; the neoliberal era in '90s.
The new Millennium: new political leaders, progressive and innovative parties and their final act, the last years, and the beginning of a season of alternating conservative and progressive governments and the emergence of radical parties of extreme right in many national realities.
The course aims to analyse the main political and economical changes in institutions and society and to monitor actual dynamics and political evolutions (e.g., elections, migrations, peace process, ndigenous rights in relation to territorial claims, environmental protection and exploitation of natural resources). The students shall study them in recent journal articles and in the documents uploaded on the site Ariel (section Contents, file Materials for non-attending students).
A frame about the discovery, the exploration, the conquest and the colonial organization of Spanish and Portuguese empires.
The 19th century is explored with a focus on international and global contexts and the following processes are illustrated: riots for the independence from Spain (1810) and the birth of the independent Brazil (1822), the political instability (the long attendance), the building of new national States, the model of the primary exporter, the liberal era (the so-called British century) with a focus on the relationships with Europe and United States.
The Spanish-American War (1898) and Cuba: from colony to protectorate USA until the 1959 revolution. Cuba from 1959 until today.
The 20th century is examined with a focus on international and global contexts and the following processes are illustrated: the end of the liberal political and economical scheme; the rise of United States as new regional actor and the decline of the British role; the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917); the Constitutions of 1917 and Lázaro Cárdenas. the birth of PRI ruling party until 2019; Mexico today.
The advancing of populism and the relationship among the masses (Vargas; Cárdenas and Perón); the World War II (the so-called "caesura"), Cold War and its consequences, revolutions and repression in '60s and '70s (for the difusion of rural and urban 'guerrillas'; new authoritarian regimes; transition to democracy (the legacy of the dictatorships); the neoliberal era in '90s.
The new Millennium: new political leaders, progressive and innovative parties and their final act, the last years and the beginning of a season of alternating conservative and progressive governments and the emergence of radical parties of extreme right. The lessons aim to analyse the main political and economical changes in institutions and society and to monitor actual dynamics and political evolutions (e.g., elections, migrations, peace process, indigenous rights in relation to territorial claims, environmental protection and exploitation of natural resources). The students shall study them in recent journal articles and in the documents uploaded on the site MyAriel (section Contents, file Materials for attending students).
Course Programme For Non-Attending Students - 9 cfu
The course deals with the following historical periods:
A frame about the discovery, the exploration, the conquest and the colonial organization of Spanish and Portuguese empires.
The XIX century: riots for the independence from Spain (1810) and the birth of the independent Brazil (1822), the political instability (the long attendance), the building of new national States, the model of the primary exporter, the liberal era (the so-called British century) with a focus on the relationships with Europe and United States.
The Spanish-American War (1898) and Cuba: from colony to protectorate USA until the 1959 revolution. Cuba from 1959 until today.
The XX century; the end of the liberal political and economical scheme; the rise of United States as new regional actor and the decline of the British role; the advancing of populism and the relationship among the masses; World War II (the so-called "caesura"), Cold War and its consequences, revolutions and repression in '60s and '70s; new authoritarian regimes; transition to democracy; the neoliberal era in '90s.
The new Millennium: new political leaders, progressive and innovative parties and their final act, the last years, and the beginning of a season of alternating conservative and progressive governments and the emergence of radical parties of extreme right in many national realities.
The course aims to analyse the main political and economical changes in institutions and society and to monitor actual dynamics and political evolutions (e.g., elections, migrations, peace process, ndigenous rights in relation to territorial claims, environmental protection and exploitation of natural resources). The students shall study them in recent journal articles and in the documents uploaded on the site Ariel (section Contents, file Materials for non-attending students).
Prerequisites for admission
A knowledge of Contemporary History and the correct use of the appropriate scientific language are required. Also the capability to identify connections on the diachronic and synchronic plan between different moments, specific fields of the historical process and the different geographical areas.
It is mandatory to have passed the Contemporary History Exam.
It is mandatory to have passed the Contemporary History Exam.
Teaching methods
Beside lessons there will be seminarial lessons and talks with experts, book presentation with autors about the topics covered.
Moreover bibliographical insights will be provided and reading newspapers, scientific magazines will be stimulated in order to be accostumbred with the latinoamerican reality in general and in particular with the themes dealt during the course.
News will be an opportunity to reflect and deepen during the lessons, as the aim of the course is to understand the dynamics of the contemporary Latin America.
Lessons will be in Italian with some insights in Spanish.
Moreover bibliographical insights will be provided and reading newspapers, scientific magazines will be stimulated in order to be accostumbred with the latinoamerican reality in general and in particular with the themes dealt during the course.
News will be an opportunity to reflect and deepen during the lessons, as the aim of the course is to understand the dynamics of the contemporary Latin America.
Lessons will be in Italian with some insights in Spanish.
Teaching Resources
References for the final examination, For Attending Students - 9cfu: THE PROGRAMME WILL BE CONFIRMED AT THE FIRST LESSON
Notes, documents and materials provided during the course and, then:
1. Zanatta Loris, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Laterza 2017 COMPLETE READING OF THE BOOK
2. Raffaele Nocera and Valerio Giannattasio (eds.), Democrazie inquiete. Viaggio nelle trasformazioni dell'America latina, Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano, 2017, Quaderni/17, e-book in https://fondazionefeltrinelli.it/schede/democrazie-inquiete-viaggio-nelle-trasformazioni-dellamerica-latina/ COMPLETE READING
3. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, America latina: le sfide del XXI secolo. Verso il terzo decennio, Rubettino, 2020, 218 pp. COMPLETE READING
4. Documents uploaded on the site Ariel (Contents: Material for attending students). The reading of these documents is essential as they finalize the knowledge about actual events not contained in the books.
FOR ANY OPTIONAL FURTHER READING, CONSULT THE BIBLIOGRAPHIC SECTION ON THE MYARIEL SITE OF THE COURSE. IN ADDITION, SUGGESTED READING
1. Nocera, Raffaele - Paolo Wulzer (a cura di), L'America Latina nella politica internazionale. Dalla fine del sistema bipolare alla crisi dell'ordine liberale, Carocci, 2020.
2. Nocera Raffaele, Stati Uniti e America latina dal 1823 a oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2009
3. Nocera Raffaele - Angelo Trento, America latina, un secolo di storia. Dalla rivoluzione messicana ad oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2013
4. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, Storia dell'America Latina contemporanea, Il Mulino, 2019.
5. Tiziana Bertaccini, Le Americhe Latine nel XX secolo, Feltrinelli, 2014.
References for final examination, for Non-Attending Students:
Reference for 9 Cfu:
1.Zanatta Loris, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Laterza 2017 COMPLETE READING OF THE BOOK
2. Nocera Raffaele, Stati Uniti e America latina dal 1823 a oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2009 COMPLETE READING OF THE BOOK
3. Raffaele Nocera and Valerio Giannattasio (eds.), Democrazie inquiete. Viaggio nelle trasformazioni dell'America latina, Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano, 2017, Quaderni/17, e-book in https://fondazionefeltrinelli.it/schede/democrazie-inquiete-viaggio-nelle-trasformazioni-dellamerica-latina/ COMPLETE READING
4. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, America latina: le sfide del XXI secolo. Verso il terzo decennio, Rubettino, 2020, 218 pp. COMPLETE READING
5. Documents uploaded on the site Ariel (Contents: Material for non-attending students). The reading of these documents is essential as they finalize the knowledge about actual events not contained in the books. REQUIRED READING
FOR ANY OPTIONAL FURTHER READING, CONSULT THE BIBLIOGRAPHIC SECTION ON THE MYARIEL SITE OF THE COURSE. IN ADDITION, SUGGESTED READING
1. Nocera, Raffaele - Paolo Wulzer (a cura di), L'America Latina nella politica internazionale. Dalla fine del sistema bipolare alla crisi dell'ordine liberale, Carocci, 2020.
2. Nocera Raffaele - Angelo Trento, America latina, un secolo di storia. Dalla rivoluzione messicana ad oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2013
3. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, Storia dell'America Latina contemporanea, Il Mulino, 2019.
4. Tiziana Bertaccini, Le Americhe Latine nel XX secolo, Feltrinelli, 2014.
Notes, documents and materials provided during the course and, then:
1. Zanatta Loris, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Laterza 2017 COMPLETE READING OF THE BOOK
2. Raffaele Nocera and Valerio Giannattasio (eds.), Democrazie inquiete. Viaggio nelle trasformazioni dell'America latina, Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano, 2017, Quaderni/17, e-book in https://fondazionefeltrinelli.it/schede/democrazie-inquiete-viaggio-nelle-trasformazioni-dellamerica-latina/ COMPLETE READING
3. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, America latina: le sfide del XXI secolo. Verso il terzo decennio, Rubettino, 2020, 218 pp. COMPLETE READING
4. Documents uploaded on the site Ariel (Contents: Material for attending students). The reading of these documents is essential as they finalize the knowledge about actual events not contained in the books.
FOR ANY OPTIONAL FURTHER READING, CONSULT THE BIBLIOGRAPHIC SECTION ON THE MYARIEL SITE OF THE COURSE. IN ADDITION, SUGGESTED READING
1. Nocera, Raffaele - Paolo Wulzer (a cura di), L'America Latina nella politica internazionale. Dalla fine del sistema bipolare alla crisi dell'ordine liberale, Carocci, 2020.
2. Nocera Raffaele, Stati Uniti e America latina dal 1823 a oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2009
3. Nocera Raffaele - Angelo Trento, America latina, un secolo di storia. Dalla rivoluzione messicana ad oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2013
4. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, Storia dell'America Latina contemporanea, Il Mulino, 2019.
5. Tiziana Bertaccini, Le Americhe Latine nel XX secolo, Feltrinelli, 2014.
References for final examination, for Non-Attending Students:
Reference for 9 Cfu:
1.Zanatta Loris, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Laterza 2017 COMPLETE READING OF THE BOOK
2. Nocera Raffaele, Stati Uniti e America latina dal 1823 a oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2009 COMPLETE READING OF THE BOOK
3. Raffaele Nocera and Valerio Giannattasio (eds.), Democrazie inquiete. Viaggio nelle trasformazioni dell'America latina, Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, Milano, 2017, Quaderni/17, e-book in https://fondazionefeltrinelli.it/schede/democrazie-inquiete-viaggio-nelle-trasformazioni-dellamerica-latina/ COMPLETE READING
4. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, America latina: le sfide del XXI secolo. Verso il terzo decennio, Rubettino, 2020, 218 pp. COMPLETE READING
5. Documents uploaded on the site Ariel (Contents: Material for non-attending students). The reading of these documents is essential as they finalize the knowledge about actual events not contained in the books. REQUIRED READING
FOR ANY OPTIONAL FURTHER READING, CONSULT THE BIBLIOGRAPHIC SECTION ON THE MYARIEL SITE OF THE COURSE. IN ADDITION, SUGGESTED READING
1. Nocera, Raffaele - Paolo Wulzer (a cura di), L'America Latina nella politica internazionale. Dalla fine del sistema bipolare alla crisi dell'ordine liberale, Carocci, 2020.
2. Nocera Raffaele - Angelo Trento, America latina, un secolo di storia. Dalla rivoluzione messicana ad oggi, Carocci, Roma, 2013
3. De Giuseppe Massimo - La Bella Gianni, Storia dell'America Latina contemporanea, Il Mulino, 2019.
4. Tiziana Bertaccini, Le Americhe Latine nel XX secolo, Feltrinelli, 2014.
Assessment methods and Criteria
It is compulsory to register on-line to the exam session via SIFA.
The examination will be written for both attending and non-attending students.
TO ATTENDING STUDENTS: there will be a written examination on a date dedicated. An eventual intermediate test may be scheduled, depending to the number of students attending.
The exam will last approximately 2 hours.
The test will be composed of 2 different parts: the first one consists in 50 closed questions with multiple-choice answers. Students will have to answer at least 36 of them correctly to score 18/30 (each correct answer equals 0.5 points). The second part of the examination entails a series of questions with open answer (4 questions). Students will choose 2 among the 4 proposed topics. Each answer will be worth from 0 to 2,5 points.
Students must take both parts of the exam.
The final mark of the exam will be determined by the sum of the points obtained in the two parts above described and will be communicated by the professor within 2 weeks. Student can accept or reject it within a few days from the communication. Past the given deadline, the outcome will be recorded (either with a mark expressed in thirtieths, failed or rejected).
Both multiple choice and open questions are designed to verify:
- the knowledge acquired by students on the historical, political-institutional and socio-economic evolution of Latin America;
- if students know how to express the concepts / notions / institutions clearly and precisely;
- if students know how to use the correct terminology;
- if students have the tools needed to interpret, frame and describe past and present phenomena in the Latin American area.
The program (as described) is valid from the end of the course, which will take place in the 1st quarter, that is to say from the first examination date of December 2025.
IT IS MANDATORY to integrate the textbooks indicated with the material uploaded by the professor on the MyAriel teaching platform, which students can access from the website www.unimi.it. Two folders have been created in the "Contents" section: one with the material for attending students and one with the material for NON-attending students. Each student - based on whether or not they have attended the course - will download the supplementary material.
The examination will be written for both attending and non-attending students.
TO ATTENDING STUDENTS: there will be a written examination on a date dedicated. An eventual intermediate test may be scheduled, depending to the number of students attending.
The exam will last approximately 2 hours.
The test will be composed of 2 different parts: the first one consists in 50 closed questions with multiple-choice answers. Students will have to answer at least 36 of them correctly to score 18/30 (each correct answer equals 0.5 points). The second part of the examination entails a series of questions with open answer (4 questions). Students will choose 2 among the 4 proposed topics. Each answer will be worth from 0 to 2,5 points.
Students must take both parts of the exam.
The final mark of the exam will be determined by the sum of the points obtained in the two parts above described and will be communicated by the professor within 2 weeks. Student can accept or reject it within a few days from the communication. Past the given deadline, the outcome will be recorded (either with a mark expressed in thirtieths, failed or rejected).
Both multiple choice and open questions are designed to verify:
- the knowledge acquired by students on the historical, political-institutional and socio-economic evolution of Latin America;
- if students know how to express the concepts / notions / institutions clearly and precisely;
- if students know how to use the correct terminology;
- if students have the tools needed to interpret, frame and describe past and present phenomena in the Latin American area.
The program (as described) is valid from the end of the course, which will take place in the 1st quarter, that is to say from the first examination date of December 2025.
IT IS MANDATORY to integrate the textbooks indicated with the material uploaded by the professor on the MyAriel teaching platform, which students can access from the website www.unimi.it. Two folders have been created in the "Contents" section: one with the material for attending students and one with the material for NON-attending students. Each student - based on whether or not they have attended the course - will download the supplementary material.
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Rosti Marzia Anna Linda Maria
Professor(s)