Latin American Studies Seminar

Catalog description

This course covers issues related to contemporary Latin American politics and twentieth-century history. The specific topic of the course varies. In recent years the focus has been on revolutions in the Americas, with the course asking: what are revolutions, why do they occur, and with what intended and unintended effects, including related to counterrevolutionary backlashes. The course has examined these issues with attention to the Russian, Mexican, Guatemalan, Cuban, Chilean, and Nicaraguan (Sandinista) revolutions and the region's recent left turn. In other years the course has focused on the issue of democracy in the Americas, with attention to the different forms democracy has taken and debates about the quality of democracy in Latin America. The course involves a research paper on a topic of the student's choosing related to the course theme. Only one of A LCS 411/504 can be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): LACS majors and minors, juniors or seniors, or permission of instructor.