Race in Latin America

Abstract

This reading and writing colloquium examines the importance of race in Latin America, with a special focus on the roles that Indigenous and Afro-descendants have played in the history of the region. The Seminar will be based on the discussion and analysis of a collection of studies from multiple disciplines, and on producing a research paper using primary sources. Students will be invited to think and to work on the multiple facets of this theme, including racial inequality between Indians, Afro-descendants, and whites; race-and ethnicity-based social movements, institutions and policies; scientific racism; comparative perspectives with the USA and other nations; intellectual debates; artistic currents; religious practices; the relationship between racial and other inequalities; and other issues.In addition to the assigned books, students will examine a variety of primary and secondary sources. The class will look at these eclectic sources and apply techniques used by historians: to pose a historical question, to know where to look for primary and secondary sources to answer a question, to assess a source's authenticity, value, and its strengths and weakness, to place evidence within a historical context, to form a hypothesis, to use evidence to craft an argument to prove a hypothesis. The objective is to improve your analytical and writing skills. The variety of sources also spices up the class by introducing students to the information researchers dig to find, wrestle to interpret, and pull together to write an essay or book that is accurate, persuasive and interesting to read. Thematic Goals: Understanding the nature, magnitude, and variety of the roles played by Native and African-descended peoples in the history of Latin America.  Practicing new ways of looking at history: beyond the borders of nation states, and beyond elite-based narratives.  Exploring some of the main topics and discussions in the field of race in Latin America.