Admission requirements
The course is open to students enrolled in the Bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies and students taking secondary subjects in Latin American Studies and Brazilian Studies. For other students: some knowledge of the region is desirable.
Description
This undergraduate course delves into the intricate topic of nation-building in Latin America. The course explores the various shared features of Latin American countries that form the foundation for understanding the process of nationhood. Students will learn to appreciate the nuances and differences that result from the region's diversity and how they contribute to ongoing struggles for social justice, democracy, and sovereignty.
The course adopts a historical, political, and social perspective to approach the topic of nation-building in Latin America. Through the materials presented, students will gain a deeper understanding of how economic, political, social, and cultural elements interact during different nation-building stages. The course also examines how these interactions manifest in discourses framed by ideas of belonging and sovereignty images.
By tracing different nation-building approaches in Latin America, the course aims to provide students with enough theoretical tools to understand and situate ways of thinking about nationhood in historically specific configurations in the region. Students will also assess the resulting inclusion models and their socio-economic consequences.
At the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the historical and contemporary aspects of nation-building in Latin America. They will also have the opportunity to learn about academic research and writing, including how to conduct bibliographic research, find relevant literature, take effective notes, and organise information to develop arguments based on that information.
Course objectives
The course aims to achieve the following objectives:
- To provide students with an overview of the historical and contemporary aspects of nation-building in Latin America and deepen their existing knowledge and understanding of the region.
- To familiarise students with academic research and writing and equip them with critical aspects of conducting bibliographic research, including locating relevant literature, taking good notes, systematising information and creating arguments around these.
- To improve interpersonal skills such as working together, presenting and developing societal awareness.
- To enhance digital skills, research, and analysis, which will be useful in both academic and professional settings.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
The course consists of lectures and workgroup sessions, including special sessions on academic research skills.
Assessment method
The assessment consists of an annotated bibliography (30% of the final grade), a student presentation (20% of the final grade) and a written exam (50% of the final grade). the final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
The resit will take place if the final mark is lower than 6.0. The resit consists of a written exam equal to 50% of the final mark.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
In this course, students will engage with various texts to explore the complexities of nation-building in Latin America. Readings include works such as "Imagined Communities" by Anderson (2016), "A History of Latin America" by Keen and Haynes (2013), and "Race and Nation in Modern Latin America" by Rosemblatt et al. These readings will be supplemented by additional materials covering topics such as colonial legacies, state building, race, and social movements. The full reading list will be made available upon enrollment.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats