Conflicts and Disputes in Latin America

general courses

A subject aimed at deepening the topics related to the political and social history, economic situation and culture of the Latin America and the Caribbean region in the 20th and 21st centuries. During the course, various conflicts and disputes present in this region will be discussed, which significantly affect the way modern society is shaped.

Latin America is often viewed through the prism of common stereotypes, associated with violence and guerrilla movements on the one hand, or with economic failure on the other. The aim of the course is to identify and explain both ongoing and long-past disputes related to the political, economic and social situation, which influence this way of perceiving the region, despite its multifaceted differentiation.

Topics of the classes:

1. The crisis of democracy in Latin America? - inequalities, political culture and conflict themes.

2. Argentina - how the social movement won the right to abortion.

3. Brazil - right-wing populism or the return of the Working Party?

4. El Salvador - a country flowing with blood and bitcoin.

5. Bolivia - post-Evo era?

6. Colombia - the civil war continues?

7. Chile - how much does education cost?

8. Venezuela - a country on the verge of collapse.

9. Mexico - who really pays for the wall?

10. Peru - a long history of corruption scandals.

11. Nicaragua - new old beginnings.

12. Development of a thematic map of conflicts in Latin America.

13. Presentation of the thematic map of conflicts in Latin America.

Obligatory reeding:

Gocłowska-Bolek, J. (2019). Panorama wyborcza Ameryki Łacińskiej w 2019 roku. Nowe wyzwania, stare problemy? OAP UW. Warszawa.

Further reading:

Hellinger, D. C. (2011). Comparative politics of Latin America: Democracy at last?. Routledge.

After completing the course, the student:

- has basic knowledge of the political and social history of Latin America and the Caribbean;

- can distinguish the subject of the most important in the 20th and 21st century political, social and economic conflicts of Latin America and can identify their causes and effects;

- understands the operation of mechanisms shaping contemporary Latin American society;

- can effectively use various scientific sources and objectively analyze the information contained therein;

- can use the acquired knowledge to explain the phenomena and processes taking place in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Final exam - 50%

Presentation - 25%

Attendance and activity during classes - 25%