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Flags Decoded: Latin America explores how national flags function as visual shortcuts to history, politics, and identity. Focusing on Bolivia, Mexico, and Brazil, this lecture shows how colours, symbols, and mottos encode stories of conquest, nation-building, ideological debate, and indigenous resurgence.
This lecture introduces flags as historical and political texts rather than static national emblems. Using examples from Latin America, it examines how flags reflect myths of origin, economic priorities, political transformations, and competing visions of the nation. Rather than offering a comprehensive regional survey, the lecture uses selected case studies to demonstrate how much history and meaning can be revealed through close attention to national symbols.
What will we cover?
The lecture begins by introducing flags as historical and political symbols rather than purely decorative objects, showing how they can be read as condensed narratives of national identity. It then explores three Latin American case studies: Bolivia, focusing on the meanings embedded in the traditional tricolour, the state coat of arms, and the Wiphala adopted under Evo Morales as a symbol of indigenous resurgence; Mexico, examining the eagle, snake, and cactus as a visual expression of the founding myth of Mexico-Tenochtitlán and a gateway into the city’s history and urban transformation; and Brazil, where the republican flag and its positivist motto “Ordem e Progresso” reveal the political ideas and debates surrounding the end of the monarchy and the birth of the republic. The lecture concludes by reflecting comparatively on how myths, ideologies, and historical conflicts are encoded in national flags across the region.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Explain how flags can be analyzed as historical sources; identify and interpret key symbolic elements in selected Latin American flags; link visual symbols to broader political, social, and historical processes; compare different national approaches to myth, identity, and political ideology; and approach national symbols with greater critical awareness and confidence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This lecture is suitable for a general audience and requires no prior knowledge of Latin American history or politics. It is ideal for learners with an interest in history, politics, geography, cultural studies, or visual symbolism.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The session will be delivered as an illustrated lecture using flag imagery, maps, and historical visuals, with opportunities for brief discussion and reflection during the class. There is no compulsory work outside the session, though optional further reading may be suggested.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Learners may wish to bring notetaking material.
After under- and post-graduate studies in Politics and History in both France and the UK, Sébastien settled in London. He has been teaching at the City Lit since 2001. Over the years, he has covered many different subjects, including politics, history, economy and culture of Latin America, French modern history, European history, global issues and current affairs. In his classes, Sébastien hopes to give learners the skills, tools and information that can help them not only to make sense of the world we live in but also to understand the origins of the key issues we face.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/flags-decoded-latin-america3058447Flags decoded: Latin Americahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/p/hpc360-flags-decoded-latin-america-1080.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Global & regional politics/Courses/Online courses2285117716771354217311228511771677<p>Discover the political symbolism and history behind the flags of Latin America.</p>003058435Flags decoded: Latin America1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/p/hpc360-flags-decoded-latin-america-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC3601919Flags decoded: Latin America151219Sebastien Ardouinflags-decoded-latin-america/hpc360-2627<p>Discover the political symbolism and history behind the flags of Latin America.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>Flags Decoded: Latin America explores how national flags function as visual shortcuts to history, politics, and identity. Focusing on Bolivia, Mexico, and Brazil, this lecture shows how colours, symbols, and mottos encode stories of conquest, nation-building, ideological debate, and indigenous resurgence.</p><p>This lecture introduces flags as historical and political texts rather than static national emblems. Using examples from Latin America, it examines how flags reflect myths of origin, economic priorities, political transformations, and competing visions of the nation. Rather than offering a comprehensive regional survey, the lecture uses selected case studies to demonstrate how much history and meaning can be revealed through close attention to national symbols.</p><p>Discover the political symbolism and history behind the flags of Latin America.</p><p>The lecture begins by introducing flags as historical and political symbols rather than purely decorative objects, showing how they can be read as condensed narratives of national identity. It then explores three Latin American case studies: Bolivia, focusing on the meanings embedded in the traditional tricolour, the state coat of arms, and the Wiphala adopted under Evo Morales as a symbol of indigenous resurgence; Mexico, examining the eagle, snake, and cactus as a visual expression of the founding myth of Mexico-Tenochtitlán and a gateway into the city’s history and urban transformation; and Brazil, where the republican flag and its positivist motto “Ordem e Progresso” reveal the political ideas and debates surrounding the end of the monarchy and the birth of the republic. The lecture concludes by reflecting comparatively on how myths, ideologies, and historical conflicts are encoded in national flags across the region.</p><p>Explain how flags can be analyzed as historical sources; identify and interpret key symbolic elements in selected Latin American flags; link visual symbols to broader political, social, and historical processes; compare different national approaches to myth, identity, and political ideology; and approach national symbols with greater critical awareness and confidence.</p><p>This lecture is suitable for a general audience and requires no prior knowledge of Latin American history or politics. It is ideal for learners with an interest in history, politics, geography, cultural studies, or visual symbolism.</p><p>The session will be delivered as an illustrated lecture using flag imagery, maps, and historical visuals, with opportunities for brief discussion and reflection during the class. There is no compulsory work outside the session, though optional further reading may be suggested.</p><p>There are no additional costs. Learners may wish to bring notetaking material. </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latin-america-from-the-cold-war-to-the-present" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Latin America: From the Cold War to the present</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/protesting-to-the-beat-music-and-revolution-in-latin-america/hpc270-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Protesting to the Beat: music and revolution in Latin America</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/american-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our courses on the history of the Caribbean and the Americas.</a></p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsvirtual151912HPC360NONEMon14/09/2613:00 - 14:0013:0014:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineSebastien ArdouinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeSep 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Flags decoded: Latin Americaflags-decoded-latin-america/hpc360-2627<p>Discover the political symbolism and history behind the flags of Latin America.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>Flags Decoded: Latin America explores how national flags function as visual shortcuts to history, politics, and identity. Focusing on Bolivia, Mexico, and Brazil, this lecture shows how colours, symbols, and mottos encode stories of conquest, nation-building, ideological debate, and indigenous resurgence.</p><p>This lecture introduces flags as historical and political texts rather than static national emblems. Using examples from Latin America, it examines how flags reflect myths of origin, economic priorities, political transformations, and competing visions of the nation. Rather than offering a comprehensive regional survey, the lecture uses selected case studies to demonstrate how much history and meaning can be revealed through close attention to national symbols.</p><p>Discover the political symbolism and history behind the flags of Latin America.</p><p>The lecture begins by introducing flags as historical and political symbols rather than purely decorative objects, showing how they can be read as condensed narratives of national identity. It then explores three Latin American case studies: Bolivia, focusing on the meanings embedded in the traditional tricolour, the state coat of arms, and the Wiphala adopted under Evo Morales as a symbol of indigenous resurgence; Mexico, examining the eagle, snake, and cactus as a visual expression of the founding myth of Mexico-Tenochtitlán and a gateway into the city’s history and urban transformation; and Brazil, where the republican flag and its positivist motto “Ordem e Progresso” reveal the political ideas and debates surrounding the end of the monarchy and the birth of the republic. The lecture concludes by reflecting comparatively on how myths, ideologies, and historical conflicts are encoded in national flags across the region.</p><p>Explain how flags can be analyzed as historical sources; identify and interpret key symbolic elements in selected Latin American flags; link visual symbols to broader political, social, and historical processes; compare different national approaches to myth, identity, and political ideology; and approach national symbols with greater critical awareness and confidence.</p><p>This lecture is suitable for a general audience and requires no prior knowledge of Latin American history or politics. It is ideal for learners with an interest in history, politics, geography, cultural studies, or visual symbolism.</p><p>The session will be delivered as an illustrated lecture using flag imagery, maps, and historical visuals, with opportunities for brief discussion and reflection during the class. There is no compulsory work outside the session, though optional further reading may be suggested.</p><p>There are no additional costs. Learners may wish to bring notetaking material. </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latin-america-from-the-cold-war-to-the-present" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Latin America: From the Cold War to the present</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/protesting-to-the-beat-music-and-revolution-in-latin-america/hpc270-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Protesting to the Beat: music and revolution in Latin America</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/american-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our courses on the history of the Caribbean and the Americas.</a></p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsconfigurable
