UF Center for Latin American Studies
Days: Fridays
Times: 12:50 - 3:50 pm
Location: Grinter 376
NO PREREQUISITES OR INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL NEEDED FOR REGISTRATION
This course emphasizes the conflicts and contradictions that have historically existed in the region between "development" and the expansion of rights for vulnerable populations. Development policies adopted by governments have affected rural populations by focusing on plantation economies, commodities, mining, and extractive and rentier industries. Conversely, in recent decades, there has been an increase in the adoption of legal strategies recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples, Afro- descendants and peasants, including territorial rights and the rights of nature. These trends have seen varying degrees of progress, often encountering opposition, including various forms of violence against these populations.
This course proposes to critically examine the traditional approaches to development adopted by Latin American governments. Besides the historical high levels of inequality and poverty, this region has also been affected by the intertwined crises in energy, climate, and food. The course will specifically focus on the situations and experiences of indigenous peoples, Afrodescendants and peasant populations. Drawing on perspectives from political ecology, critical agrarian studies, anthropology and geography, students will explore the historical, social, economic, and environmental factors that have shaped the lives and struggles of diverse rural populations in Latin America amidst recent global environmental and climate crises.
Jairo Baquero-Melo
Center for Latin American Studies
Biography forthcoming
