History of Latin America [ LHIST2640 ]

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The course is the occasion not only for a well targetted as well as quite diversified introduction to a geographical and cultural domain, but also reflects on the contradictions of historical research and the conditioning of the production of historical learning as it has developed both in Europe and the New World.

By the end of this instruction, students will be aware of the evolution and present perspectives of the region's historiography, the accent being put on the principal lines of historical development as they emerge from the major currents of historical research. This historiography is far from unanimous in the questions it asks.

Oral examination.

This interactive method is based on a dossier of lectures to be commented and analysed together. The dossier, to be at least partly renewed every year, consists of model analyses of the historic problematics of Latin America, particular attention being paid to the diversity of methodological, ideological and cultural approaches.

Centred on a contemporary vision of Latin American identity and based on students' perceptions, the course explores various periods in the historic evolution of Latin America, such as :

- The cultural reality of pre-Columbian peoples;

- The effect of discovery and conquest;

- The situation and rôle of cities during the colonization period;

- The stakes of independence processes;

- The crisis of the years 1920-1930.

This historical exploration seeks to identify elements for undertstanding the present, involving three components of Latin American identity : being indigenous, being urban and being a citizen.

The course should be an occasion for sharing both historical information and open discussion of analysis.

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Teaching materials: Student notes and chosen texts are given to students for analysis and discussion.

The course sessions are concentrated in a three week period, starting the last days of April every year.