The objective of this class is to study Latin America's contemporary political evolutions, identifying common trends and specifying particular cases. The lectures provide basic understanding of the way legacies of the past shape the economic development model and the type of political regimes, and explore issues such as violence, inequality and misrepresentation that differentiate Latin America from the rest of the global south. A particular emphasis is put on recent political shifts from neo-liberalism in the 1990s to leftist experiments in the 2000s and back to conservatism nowadays. Current challenges stemming from the 2019 social unrest and the 2020 Covid19 crisis are discussed. Finally, the class also addresses Latin America's international relations, looking at the region's complex relationship with the United States and its several waves of regionalism.
Camille DENICOURT-FAUVEL,Olivier DABENE
Cours magistral seul
English
Recommended readings for each class.
Mid-term essay.
Research paper.
No prior knowledge of Latin America is assumed or required. The class provides basic understanding of contemporary Latin American politics. It emphasizes common patterns of evolution and offers country-level analysis. The ultimate objective is to help students make sense of the region's political landscape and grasp the ways Latin American countries respond to challenges.
Autumn 2021-2022
Mid-term: critical film analysis of either The official story (Argentina 1985) or Machuca (Chile 2004) (10 000 signs or 1500 words): 40% of the final grade
End of the term: research paper (20 000 signs or 3000 words): 60% of the final grade
Powerpoint presentations (uploaded and accessible on Google Drive prior to the classes)
Dabène, Olivier, L'Amérique latine à l'époque contemporaine, Ad Colin 2020