CENTRE for LATIN AMERICAN
RESEARCH and DOCUMENTATION
CENTRE for LATIN AMERICAN
RESEARCH and DOCUMENTATION
.png){kind=logo}
CENTRE for LATIN AMERICAN
RESEARCH and DOCUMENTATION
CEDLA - UvA Bachelor courses
Politics, Protest and Power in Latin America
This course explores contemporary political dynamics and social mobilisation in Latin America, examining how historical legacies, economic structures and institutional arrangements continue to shape political life across the region. It considers major debates surrounding democracy, development, inequality and state–society relations, while analysing the factors that drive both political change and continuity.
​
Drawing on examples from different Latin American countries, the course examines processes such as democratisation, democratic backsliding, social movements, protest, populism and political participation. Through engagement with academic literature, current events and case studies, students develop a broader understanding of the challenges facing the region and the diverse ways in which citizens, governments and social actors respond to them.
​
Lecturer(s)
dr. N. Rodríguez Idarraga (Coordinator)
​
Is part of
Latin America in the 21st Century
This course examines some of the key social, political and economic issues shaping Latin America in the twenty-first century. Through a range of thematic and country-based case studies, it explores both the shared challenges faced across the region and the distinct historical and cultural contexts that characterise individual countries and sub-regions.
​
Topics such as race and ethnicity, political and economic development, extractivism, violence and human rights are analysed from an interdisciplinary perspective. Drawing on contemporary research and class discussions, the course encourages students to engage critically with current debates and to develop a broader understanding of the diversity and complexity of contemporary Latin American societies.
​
Lecturer(s)
dr. D.A. Brablecova PhD (Coordinator)
​
Is part of
Research in Latin America
This course introduces students to qualitative social science research with a particular focus on Latin America. It explores the different stages of the research process, from developing research questions and selecting appropriate methods to collecting, analysing and presenting data. Particular attention is given to methodological, ethical and reflexive issues that arise when conducting research in diverse social and cultural contexts.
​
Combining theoretical discussions with practical research activities, the course provides hands-on experience in designing and carrying out small-scale research projects. Students engage with a range of qualitative methods, including interviewing, participant observation and visual approaches, while developing the analytical and collaborative skills needed to conduct and communicate social research effectively.
Lecturer(s)
dr. D.A. Brablecova PhD (Coordinator)
​
Is part of
Gender and Sexuality in Latin America
This course explores the changing dynamics of gender and sexuality in contemporary Latin America, examining how social, political and economic transformations shape everyday experiences and identities across the region. Particular attention is given to the intersections between gender, class, race, ethnicity and sexuality, as well as to debates surrounding gendered violence, social inequality, migration and sexual diversity.
​
Drawing on academic literature, ethnographic research and a range of cultural sources, including films and documentaries, the course examines how ideas of femininity, masculinity and sexuality are constructed, challenged and transformed in different Latin American contexts. Through critical discussion and research-based activities, students develop a deeper understanding of the role of gender in shaping social relations and contemporary debates across the region.
Lecturer(s)
dr. J.H.J. Weegels (Coordinator)
​
Is part of
Violence, Citizenship and Culture in Latin America
This course examines violence as a central feature of social, political and cultural life in Latin America. It explores how different forms of violence—including structural, state, criminal and everyday violence—shape patterns of inequality, citizenship and social relations across the region. Particular attention is given to the historical and contemporary factors that contribute to exclusion, insecurity and conflict, as well as the roles played by both state and non-state actors.
​
Through the study of academic literature, case studies and contemporary debates, the course analyses the connections between violence, political change, social inequality and cultural expression. Students are encouraged to critically reflect on how violence influences the experiences of different social groups and how it is represented, challenged and negotiated within Latin American societies.
Lecturer(s)
dr. N. Rodríguez Idarraga (Coordinator)
Is part of
Urbanization, Borders and Inequality in Latin America
This course examines the development of cities and urban societies in Latin America, focusing on the social, spatial and political factors that shape urban life across the region. Drawing on perspectives from geography, sociology and anthropology, it explores the historical evolution of Latin American cities and the distinctive challenges associated with urbanisation, inequality and social change.
​
Particular attention is given to issues such as social movements, spatial segregation, violence, urban governance and public policy, as well as the ways in which these processes influence everyday experiences of citizenship and belonging. Through the study of urban theories and case studies from across the region, students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of contemporary Latin American cities and their role in broader debates on development and inequality.
​
Lecturer(s)
D.A. Galdo Gonzalez MSc (Coordinator)
​
Is part of
Race, Power and Indigeneity
This course examines the ways in which race, ethnicity and colonial legacies continue to shape social, political and economic realities in the Americas. Drawing on decolonial, anti-racist and critical race perspectives, it explores the historical roots of racial inequality as well as contemporary debates surrounding identity, citizenship, representation and social justice.
​
Particular attention is given to Indigenous experiences, racialised communities and the forms of resistance developed in response to systemic discrimination and exclusion. Through theoretical discussions and case studies, students engage with questions of power, territoriality, activism and public policy, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and struggles surrounding race and indigeneity in contemporary societies.
Lecturer(s)
dr. D.A. Brablecova PhD (Coordinator)
Is part of