Seminar: Latin America in perspective: culture, history, politics, and media
Description: This seminar offers a comprehensive introduction to Latin America through the lenses of history, politics, culture, and media. Over four weekly sessions, students will analyze key processes that shaped the region, explore cultural dynamics, and discuss contemporary challenges. The course encourages critical thinking and academic debate in Spanish, while combining readings, media analysis, and group discussions.
Duration: 4 sessions (one per week). Each session lasts 60 minutes.
Modality: Online (synchronous and asynchronous).
Language: As the teacher is a native speaker of Spanish, the course will be taught in this language.
Target audience: Non-native speakers of Spanish with level A2 or higher, interested in addressing different aspects of Latin American reality.
Seminar objectives: • To analyze the historical and political processes that have shaped Latin America. • To explore cultural dynamics and their representation in the media. • To understand current challenges in the region within a global context. • To foster critical thinking and academic discussion in Spanish.
Content: Session 1: Foundations: identity, colonialism, and emancipation • Geographic, ethnic, and cultural diversity of Latin America. • Key concepts: mestizaje, syncretism, and Latin American identity. • Impact of European colonization and the formation of nation-states. • The colonial legacy in current social and political structures.
Session 2: The 20th Century: revolutions, dictatorships, and media narratives • Analysis of the Mexican and Cuban Revolutions. • Military dictatorships in the Southern Cone, resistance, and social movements. • The evolution of media in Latin America: censorship, propaganda, and freedom of the press. • The role of media in shaping public opinion during key historical conflicts.
Session 3: Popular culture and contemporary challenges • Telenovelas, music, and cinema as reflections of social realities. • The rise of digital media and new forms of communication. • Analysis of current challenges: democracy, citizen participation, inequality, poverty, and migration. • Regional integration and international relations in a global context.
Session 4: Synthesis: case studies and final reflections • Presentation and discussion of case studies on a specific country or topic. • Synthesis of the course’s main themes and learnings. • Guidelines and discussion for the final reflective essays. • Dialogue and interaction between participants (only in synchronous mode).
Methodology: • Lectures with audiovisual support. • Readings and analysis of academic and journalistic texts. • Group debates and discussions. • Oral and written presentations.
Assessment: • Active participation. • Completion of the tasks in each of the modules. • Final essay (1500-2000 words) (this does not apply to students enrolled in the “Base rate,” but is a requirement for those enrolled in the “Standard fee” and “Personalized support”).
Bibliography: • Dorfman, A. & Mattelart, A. How to read the Donald duck. • Galeano, E. Open Veins of Latin America. • Martín-Barbero, J. From the Media to Mediations. • Rama, Á. The Lettered City. • Tufte, T. Communication for Social Change.
About the professor: Daniel Lencina is an Argentine journalist and researcher with over 20 years of experience in media and teaching. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Studies through a joint program between the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas (Colombia) and the University of Málaga (Spain). His research focuses on Social Communication in its various applications: teaching, planning and management of communication processes, journalism, and research. See his LinkedIn Profile.
Seminarium: Ameryka Łacińska w perspektywie: kultura, historia, polityka i media
Opis kursu: Seminarium to proponuje kompleksowe podejście do Ameryki Łacińskiej z perspektywy historii, polityki, kultury i mediów. W ciągu czterech cotygodniowych sesji studenci będą analizować fundamentalne procesy, które wpłynęły na region, badać jego dynamikę kulturową i zastanawiać się nad aktualnymi wyzwaniami. Kurs promuje krytyczne myślenie i akademicką dyskusję w języku hiszpańskim, opierając się na lekturach, analizie mediów i debatach grupowych.
Czas trwania: 4 sesje (jedna w tygodniu). Każda sesja trwa 60 minut.
Tryb: Online (synchroniczny i asynchroniczny).