Remembering the Dirty Wars: Memories of Latin America

What is the course about?

In the context of the Global Cold War, Latin America experienced a wave of military and authoritarian regimes, some of which lasted decades. As the twentieth century came to a close, most countries had returned to democratic rule - yet memories of violence and state repression remain strong. On the one hand, traces of these regimes continue to exist within legislation, institutions, and the political sphere. On the other, reconstructions of the past exist through films, literature, museums, truth and reconciliation commissions, and most importantly, the lived experience of those directly affected by state violence. With transitions to democracy comes the challenge of rebuilding trust between the state and society, uncovering the truth, seeking justice for victims, and creating collective narratives of that past that allow for society to heal and move on. This course explores the trajectory of four countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Guatemala - to understand these processes in more depth.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

The course will run across five sessions.

The first will explore the broader historical context of Latin America’s Cold War and how this contributed to the rise of military and authoritarian regimes at the time. We will also talk about the most important concepts and theories surrounding these events, in particular collective memory, transitional justice, authoritarianism, political repression, and political resistance.

For the following four sessions, we look at the individual trajectories of four case studies: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Guatemala, focusing on their unique experiences and defining features.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Discuss the key events surrounding the authoritarian and military regimes that took place in 20th century Latin America.
- Compare and contrast different experiences of Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Guatemala in this context.
- Identify and critically evaluate the mechanisms of memorialisation, truth and reconciliation, and democratic transition, as well as their long- and short-term impacts on society.
- Effectively build and communicate your own critical arguments surrounding relevant concepts and theories.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for anyone with an interest in Latin American History, memory, authoritarianism, or democratic transitions. It does not require any in-depth knowledge on any particular subject, but curiosity will be key! Students will be encouraged to use the course to explore their own personal interests.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be delivered through ‘blended learning’, meaning that you will be given (optional) pre-class readings and exercises, while the classroom time will be split between a lecture-style component, and clarifications and discussions based on the pre-class activities. You should expect to set aside around 1 hour for these activities, although you will also be provided with further readings should you wish to do more.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no obligatory additional costs to this course. Reading materials will be provided for free, although the course will recommend some useful and affordable books that might be of interest to students. All you will need is either a pen and paper and/or a laptop.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

HWH196 Che Guevara & his Revolutions
HAH88 The Amazon Rubber Boom and Bust
HAH100 The Amazon Gold Rush
HAH81 Black Latin America.