Latin America Today: Power, Migration, and Inequality 00-FF-LAT
This seminar explores contemporary Latin America through the interconnected themes of power, inequality, and migration. It examines how historical legacies, political systems, and global forces shape social and economic realities across the region. By engaging with key debates and case studies, students will develop a deeper understanding of how past structures and present dynamics influence patterns of governance, mobility, and social change.
The course begins by examining the historical foundations of inequality in Latin America. Colonialism, slavery, and extractive economic systems established long-lasting social hierarchies and unequal land distribution. These legacies continue to shape relations of power, particularly affecting Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Through this historical lens, students will learn to identify how colonial institutions and racialized social structures continue to influence contemporary inequalities and struggles for recognition and rights.
The seminar then turns to questions of political power and governance. Students will explore the region’s transitions between authoritarian regimes and democratic systems during the 20th and 21st centuries, while also examining the role of the state in regulating markets and implementing social policies. Discussions will address persistent challenges such as corruption, clientelism, and unequal political participation.
Migration and mobility form another central focus of the course. The seminar examines both internal migration—such as rural-to-urban movements contributing to the growth of mega-cities—and international migration flows within and beyond the region. Case studies such as Venezuelan displacement and Central American migration highlight migration as a strategy for survival, opportunity, and political response. Students will develop the ability to connect migration patterns to broader economic, political, and social transformations.
The course also addresses persistent socioeconomic inequalities and the emergence of social movements challenging them. Students will examine how inequalities intersect with race, gender, and labor conditions, including the prevalence of informal economies and precarious work. At the same time, the seminar highlights the role of grassroots activism, Indigenous movements, feminist mobilization, and environmental campaigns in advocating for rights and social change. Through these discussions, students will learn to evaluate how collective action shapes political agendas and policy debates.
Rodzaj przedmiotu
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
Wiedza
1. K_W01 Student/-ka definiuje i sprawnie posługuje się kluczowymi pojęciami dla omawianego zagadnienia.
2. K_W01 Zna koncepcje kluczowe dla omawianego zagadnienia.
3. K_W01 Ma wiedzę o uwarunkowaniach i podstawowych mechanizmach dotyczących omawianego zjawiska.
Umiejętności
1. K_U01 Student/-ka potrafi dokonać analizy społecznych aspektów omawianego zagadnienia.
2. K_U02 Jest w stanie odnaleźć i wykorzystać w praktyce właściwą literaturę odnośnie poruszanego tematu.
3. K_U04 Umie prezentować zarówno własny punkt widzenia, jak i rzeczowo ustosunkowywać się do opinii innych osób.
Kompetencje społeczne
1. K_K01 Student/-ka jest nastawiony/-a krytycznie do potocznych, nieuzasadnionych naukowo przekonań.
2. K_K02 Ma motywację do angażowania się w aktywność na rzecz innych osób w praktyce, wykorzystując wiedzę teoretyczną zgodnie z zasadami etycznymi.
Kryteria oceniania
Assessment methods
Students will be assessed through a combination of active participation in seminar discussions, engagement with assigned readings, short presentations or case-study analysis, where students examine a specific issue related to power, inequality, or migration in the region. The final component will be a written assignment in which students develop a critical argument based on course themes and relevant literature.
Literatura
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2023
World Bank. Latin America and Caribbean regional reports.
International Organization for Migration. Migration Trends in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Eduardo Galeano (1971) Open Veins of Latin America. Monthly Review Press, 1997 (original 1971).
John Charles Chasteen (2016) Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America. W.W. Norton.
Esteve, A, Castro-Martín, T, Castro Torres, A. Families in Latin America: Trends, Singularities, and Contextual Factors. Annual Review of Sociology Volume 48, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-030420-015156
Pluck, G. (2022). Street children in Latin America. In J. M. Castaldelli-Maia, A. Ventriglio, & D. Bhugra (Eds.), Homelessness and mental health (pp. 59–70). Oxford University Press.
Weitzman, A, Caudillo M, Levy, E. Hybrid Interpersonal Violence in Latin America: Patterns and Causes. Annual Review of Criminology Vol. 7:163-186, 2024 (Volume publication date January 2024) https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-022422-014603
Zsögön, C. Discourse analysis around the issue of child labour in the Global South.
Language, Discourse & Society, vol. 9, no. 1(17), 2021 95
Zsögön, C. Girls exploitation in the Triple Border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Society Register 2019 / 3(4): XX-XX ISSN 2544–5502 DOI: 10.14746/sr.2019.3.4.04
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W cyklu 2025L:
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2023 World Bank. Latin America and Caribbean regional reports. International Organization for Migration. Migration Trends in Latin America and the Caribbean. Eduardo Galeano (1971) Open Veins of Latin America. Monthly Review Press, 1997 (original 1971). John Charles Chasteen (2016) Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America. W.W. Norton. Esteve, A, Castro-Martín, T, Castro Torres, A. Families in Latin America: Trends, Singularities, and Contextual Factors. Annual Review of Sociology Volume 48, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-030420-015156 Pluck, G. (2022). Street children in Latin America. In J. M. Castaldelli-Maia, A. Ventriglio, & D. Bhugra (Eds.), Homelessness and mental health (pp. 59–70). Oxford University Press. Weitzman, A, Caudillo M, Levy, E. Hybrid Interpersonal Violence in Latin America: Patterns and Causes. Annual Review of Criminology Vol. 7:163-186, 2024 (Volume publication date January 2024) https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-022422-014603 Zsögön, C. Discourse analysis around the issue of child labour in the Global South. Zsögön, C. Girls exploitation in the Triple Border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Society Register 2019 / 3(4): XX-XX ISSN 2544–5502 DOI: 10.14746/sr.2019.3.4.04 |
Uwagi
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W cyklu 2025L:
The course is conducted as an interactive seminar combining short lectures, guided discussion, and student-led activities. Students will critically engage with sociological literature, case studies, and current debates on power, migration, and inequality in contemporary Latin America. The seminar emphasizes active participation, collaborative discussion, and the ability to connect theoretical perspectives with real-world social and political developments in the region. |
Więcej informacji
Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb: