Social and Political Problems in Latin America II 3305-PSPAL2-1U

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the political history of Latin American countries. Key themes will be presented through the discussion of selected issues in regional, sub-regional, and national contexts. Students will explore contemporary socio-cultural and political-economic shifts in Latin America. The course serves as an overview and acts as a starting point for the recognition and initial analysis of the region's current challenges. It is dedicated to students preparing for research within their Master's seminars.
Course activities include:
• Information retrieval and processing;
• Analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary sources (academic literature, documentaries);
• Presentation of findings.
The course follows a seminar format, employing methods such as lectures, debates, multimedia presentations, brainstorming, and simulation game
Drawing on current events in Latin America and the Caribbean, the following will be discussed:
• The electoral calendar and potential election results;
• Latin America's relations with the EU, USA, and China;
• The role of tourism in Latin American economies;
• The role of organized crime in selected countries;
• Environmental challenges;
• Migration processes and demographic challenges;
• The role of culture in international relations.
Each student is required to prepare an oral presentation on a selected topic. The semester concludes with a written exam (test). The course requires individual and team-based student workload. Approximately 8 hours should be dedicated to preparing the presentation (oral speech) and 10 hours to reviewing assigned materials (audio, texts). Systematic monitoring of Spanish-language media is essential.

Term 2025L:

The focal point of the following course will be an introduction to the main concepts of interpretation of social and political problems of Latin America. Apart from the presentation of introductory issues, the course is going to raise problematic questions: race, class, ethnicity, gender. The course is going to cover the following topics:
1. Introduction to course
2. Different interpretation of relation of power and society
3. Introduction to postcolonial theory
4. “People without history”- teaching history in the context of power relations
5. Institutions and Power in Latin America
6. Conceptions of democracy, populism
7. Latin American society and its problems
8. Latin American identity
10. Race issues & 11. Gender issues
11. Environmental challenges
12. Culture in international relations
Those issues will be analyzed in the light of scientific articles, newspapers articles and cultural texts.

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

Requirements: Spanish language proficiency at C1 level, general knowledge of the history of Latin America and the Caribbean, basic knowledge of English (for source material research).

Course coordinators

Term 2024L:

Urszula Ługowska

Term 2025L:

Katarzyna Dembicz

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

• KNOWLEDGE: The student understands the subject-specific and methodological characteristics of Iberian Philology and its connections with other humanities and social sciences. They possess in-depth knowledge of Latin American cultural phenomena, terminology, and theories in the fields of culture, religion, history, and political science. (S2K_W01 – S2K_W06)
• SKILLS: The student can critically analyze socio-political phenomena in Latin America, select appropriate research methods, and present findings. They can independently acquire knowledge, expand research skills, and use professional Spanish terminology regarding socio-political processes. (S2K_U01 – S2K_U03)
• SOCIAL COMPETENCES: The student is ready to cooperate in a group, taking on various roles. (S2K_K01)

Assessment criteria

Methods: Informative, problem-based, activating, demonstration, practical, discussion, and debate.
Assessment Criteria: Participation/Activity: 20%, Homework Presentation: 30%, Final Assessment: 50%
)

Practical placement

Bibliography

Required Literature:
1. CEPAL: Panorama social de America Latina, https://www.cepal.org/en/publications/type/social-panorama-latin-america-and-caribbean
2. Eduardo Gudynas, Extractivismos, 2015, http://gudynas.com/wp-content/uploads/GudynasExtractivismosEcologiaPoliticaBo15Anuncio.pdf
3. Teresa Castro Escudero, Lucio Oliver Costilla (2005) Poder y política en América Latina, México DF: Siglo XXI Editores. (lokalizacja: Biblioteka Instytutu Studiów Iberyjskich i Iberoamerykańskich – depozyt)
4. International Organization form Migration (2024) Tendencias Migratorias en las Americas, https://lac.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl2601/files/documents/2025-02/q4-2024-tendencias-migratorias-en-las-americas.pdf
5. Walter Mignolo, La opción de - colonial: desprendimiento y apertura. un manifiesto y un caso, 2008, http://www.revistatabularasa.org/numero-8/mignolo1.pdf
6. Delgado Gómez-Escalonilla L. (1994) El factor cultural en las relacione internacionales. https://share.google/vh0zqr1e70FFmW5mo
7. M.F. Gawrycki (red.) (2006) Ameryka Łacińska we współczesnym świecie, Warszawa

WEBsites:
Noicias BBC Mundo, https://www.bbc.com/mundo
France 24 en espańo, https://www.france24.com/es/
NODAL Noticias de America Latina, https://www.nodal.am/

Term 2025L:

Acemoglu D., Robinson J., Why Nations Fail, NY: 2012.
Chang-Rodríguez E., Latinoamérica: su civilización y su cultura. Boston: Heinle, 2000.
Gawrycki M.F., Dzieje kultury latynoamerykańskiej, Warszawa: PWN, 2009.
Hellinger D.C., Comparative Politics of Latin America: Democracy at Least?, NY: Routledge 2011.
Moraña M., Dussel E., Jauregui C. A. (red.), Coloniality At Large. Latin America and the Postcolonial Debate, Durham-London 2008.
Literatura Teresa Castro Escudero, Lucio Oliver Costilla (red.), Poder y política en América Latina, Siglo XXI, Mexico, D.F. 2005.
Pablo González Casanova, El Estado en América Latina: teoría y práctica, Siglo XXI, Mexico, D.F. 1990.
Néstor García Canclini, Culturas híbridas, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial México, D.F. 2012.
Atilio A. Borón, Estado, capitalismo y democracia en América Latina, CBC, Buenos Aires 1997.
Jorge Graciarena, Poder y clases sociales en el desarrollo de América Latina, Paidós, Buenos Aires 1972.
Aldo E. Solari, Rolando Franco, Joel M. Jutkowitz, Teoría, acción social y desarrollo en América Latina, Siglo XXI, Mexico, D.F. 1976.
Tomasz Rudowski, Vías a la modernidad. Noción y concepto de desarrollo en América Latina: un marco teórico. En: Czerny Mirosława, Serna Mendoza Ciro Alfonso (red.), Globalizaciόn y desarrollo sostenible, WUW, Varsovia 2018, p. 69-82.
M.F. Gawrycki (red.), Ameryka Łacińska we współczesnym świecie, Warszawa 2006.
+ materials provided on an ongoing basis by the lecturer

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3305-PSPAL2-1U in USOSweb