History, Institutions and Politics of Latin America

In the context of interdisciplinary education and with a focus on geopolitical dynamics, the course of History, Institutions and Politics of Latin America aims to illustrate the complex history of Latin America from the 19th century, when the Spanish and Portuguese colonial period ends, to the present day, highlighting the main national political-institutional, economic, social and cultural processes of the last two centuries and their regional and international connections.

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.