HST3206 - Revolution, Dictatorship and Democracy in Latin America, 1944-90

40 credits (semesters 1 and 2)

Module Leader: Dr Molly Avery (2024-25)

Module Summary

This special subject uses the three themes of revolution, dictatorship and democracy to examine the history of Latin America in the second half of the twentieth century. Beginning with Guatemalan Revolution (1944-54), this module explores key events over the next four decades, including the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the rise of anticommunist dictatorships across the region in the 1960s and 1970s, the Nicaraguan Revolution of 1979, and the 'Third Wave' of democratisation that swept the region in the 1980s. Throughout, we will identify and analyse regional trends in Latin American history while remaining attentive to national dynamics. In particular, this module will focus on two subregions of Latin America: the Southern Cone (especially Chile, Argentina and Brazil) and Central America (especially Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador). Primary sources will include government documents, speeches, visual sources and other cultural outputs, including song, poems, and testimonials. This mix of different sources will allow students to consider the ways in which gender, race, and class all shaped how different Latin Americans experienced the second half of the twentieth century.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module students will be able to:

Demonstrate a good understanding of key events in Central America and the Southern Cone in the second half of the twentieth century.
Critically evaluate the historiography relating to the history modern Latin America, and especially the Cold War in Latin America.
Analyse written, visual and oral sources relating to revolution, democracy and dictatorship in modern Latin American history.
Demonstrate confidence in expressing ideas in a variety of different ways, e.g. presentations, group work and gobbet work.
Advance arguments and supporting evidence in clear and persuasive prose.

Assessment

Please see this page for further information about assessment.