Introduction to Latin American Studies

Course lecturers: Dr. Julienne Weegels (coordinator) and CEDLA staff
Time period: September – October
Schedule: Tuesday 14.00 – 18.00 hours
Course load: 6 EC 

This course introduces key subjects and leading approaches and theoretical debates in contemporary Latin American Studies. 

Socio-Environmental Changes
in Latin America: Power, Participation and Governance

Dr. Fábio de Castro (coord.) and Prof. dr. Barbara Hogenboom
Time period: 2 November – 14 December
Schedule: Monday 14.00 – 17.00 hours
Course load: 6 EC 

Latin America holds large reserves of renewable and non-renewable resources and is a major global supplier of energy, metals, foodstuffs and environmental services. Historically the countries in the region have faced challenges in managing their natural resources in a sustainable, productive and equitable way. While some progressive governments have tried to change that trend, the intensification of extractive activities and related large infrastructure projects has led to a growing vulnerability and innequality. More recently, the region started to experience a new wave of right-wing governments who are explicitly moving away from social policies, human rights and the environmental conservation agenda.

Global Cities in Latin America

Course lecturer: Dr. Christien Klaufus

Time period: 4 - 27 January

Schedule: Monday 14.00 – 17.00 h & Wednesday 14.00 – 17.00 h 

Course load: 6 EC

This course engages in academic debates on Latin American cities as part of global urban networks. The course introduces students into the multidisciplinary field of urban studies, in which geography, sociology and history are integrated. We will examine the metropolises of Latin America complementary and comparatively. By studying Lima, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Sao Paulo and many other cities, students will be familiarized with the main aspects of historically defined (policy) fields such as social housing, solid waste collection, urban transport systems and community development. 

Memories Need to Swim: Heritage and Myth-Making in Latin America

Course lecturers: Dr. Arij Ouweneel and Dr. Christien Klaufus
Time period: November – December
Schedule: Wednesday 14.00 – 17.00 hours
Course load: 6 EC

People continue to (re)produce narratives of who they are and what they want to be, thereby acknowledging that their “being-in-the-world”—or storyworld—is defined by heritage and histories of a birth place, hometown, ancestors, cemetries or journeys. In their testimonies and storyworlds over time, new elements are woven into existing storyworlds, creating innovative ways of worldmaking. Such new storyworlds are created in the streets of Latin American urban centers, using films, street art, epitaphs in cemeteries, and digital and analogue media on a daily basis. Special attention will be given to the role of ancestors, the deceased, saints, and deathscapes in Latin American worldmaking. Worldmaking, mythmaking, are storyworlds.