This course discusses key global development issues with examples and cases from Latin America. It provides the students with a broad overview of important characteristics of Latin-American history, social structures and current development issues. The course will enable the students to understand and analyse contemporary development processes on the continent, but also how these are marked by and influence the global context. A general introduction to colonial and post-colonial history is provided at the beginning of the course to establish a basic understanding for the analysis of various key topics. State and nation building, economic politics, social inequality, the role of social movements and indigenous peoples, and the influence of religion are key aspects. Knowledge on social stratification based on gender, ethnicity, “race” and class is also central to understand contemporary Latin America.
Particular cases and countries are discussed to illustrate more general features and mechanisms at play in Latin America and beyond. The course emphasizes key development issues in the region, such as the effect of climate change and environmental conflicts and the search for “alternative” models of development. Mobility and demographic changes will also be discussed, with particular focus on the rural-urban and transnational migration.
1 semester
10
Autumn
Kristiansand
Faculty of Social Sciences