LAS 367: Human Rights in Latin America

This course examines the panorama of human rights struggles in Latin America. How has Latin America contributed to global human rights theory and practice? What explains the horrific human rights abuses that took place in Latin America during the Cold War? How have Latin American societies grappled with the aftermath of political violence? This course will examine how Latin American countries have dealt with such issues as democratic reform, human rights, memorialization and justice reform. The course will use Latin American film to explore the key themes of human rights, dictatorship and democracy in the region. In-depth case studies will include the genocide trials in Guatemala, contemporary US-Cuba relations, social memory projects in South America, and contemporary indigenous movements.