Department of History

Level: 2

Semester: 2

Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

This course surveys the History of Latin America throughout the twentieth century to modern times.  It begins with the US intervention in the Cuban struggles for liberation, continues through the Mexican Revolution and finally delves into Brazilian, Argentine, and Chilean politics, society and economics under various ‘strongmen’ rulers, military dictatorships, and ultimately, democratic consolidations.  The course focuses on the Latin American search for social justice, democratic practice, and defence against outside encroaching powers.  The roles of indigenous peoples and African descendants, as well as women, are highlighted as they struggled to modernise while seeking alternative routes to modern challenges.  The course also focuses on the Cuban Revolution and its extension as a seminal event in the Latin American twentieth century.