First 5 Thursdays, 5-6:50pm, HSSB 4041
Enrollment Code: 64535
In recent years, the Andean region has emerged as one of the politically most vibrant regions of America, mainly due to the dynamism of grassroots movements and resilience of its peoples despite the many odds they had to face within their usually troubled political systems. This course will provide an introduction to the twentieth-century history of four Andean countries: Peru, Ecuador,Bolivia and Colombia. It will highlight topics such as: coca farming and the "war on drugs", revolutions, human rights, the role of the military, ethnic identity and indigenous movements. The main aim of the course is to spark students' interest in, and invite them to think critically of, the contemporary history of countries whose complex and fascinating modern histories are neglected in the U.S. academic curricula (despite U.S. involvement). Students will be exposed to testimonials, books and films produced mainly by Andean authors.
Professor Cecilia Mendez, History, area of expertise is Latin American, Andean History. Her most specific research focuses on Peru’s national period, peasant politics, state formation, political violence, nationalism and ethnicity.
