SPAN30270 Latin American Social Thought

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is an invitation to explore Latin American social thought, broadly construed. Given
the geographic and temporal scope of this field, there is surely something quixotic about this
enterprise. Nevertheless, the module aims to give you a taste of authors and intellectual currents
that may be particularly salient for thinking about some of the challenges facing humanity: from
climate change to global inequality. At the same time, the module aims to give you tools to
continue exploring this intellectual landscape at your own pace (should you wish to do so!).
Accordingly, we will focus on topics such as social critique, indigenous worldviews, and utopian
visions of society. Throughout the module, we will reflect on some of the historical and political
realities that have shaped Latin America, and on the links between Latin America, Ireland and
the wider world.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1) Recognise the scope and richness of Latin American social thought.
2) Navigate the landscape of Latin American social thought.
3) Identify some key figures, themes, and intellectual currents in the history of Latin American
social thought.
4) Draw on Latin American social thought to interrogate their own experience and social realities.

Indicative Module Content:

Latin American Social Thought:

This module was designed by Rubén Flores based on discussions with numerous colleagues, including Ernesto Vázquez del Águila, Pablo Lucas, and Pascale Baker. It also draws on the publication América Latina: Vida y Lengua (Latin American Solidarity Centre, https://lasc.ie/resources/for-teachers/)

Week 1. Introduction to the course. Why Latin American social thought?
Week 2. The world upside down: social critique from Bartolomé de las Casas to Eduardo
Galeano.
Week 3. Indigenous worldview and the defense of land in an age of climate change.
Week 4. Feminism and gender. The life of Rigoberta Menchú.
Week 5. Education. Paulo Freire and the pedagogy of the oppressed.
Week 6. Exploring Latin American social thought through the James Joyce library.
Week 7. Film screening and discussion.
Week 8. Reading week.
Week 9. How to live? Buen Vivir and the Philosophy of Liberation.
Week 10. Politics and utopias.
Week 11. Decoloniality and international solidarity. Latin America and Ireland in comparison.
Week 12. Closing session.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

34
Autonomous Student Learning

52
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will rely on a combination of lectures and seminars including active/task-based
learning.
For each topic, you will be provided with a variety of sources in Spanish and English (e.g. (texts,
audio, video) for you to explore.
Lectures and seminars will be delivered in both Spanish and English. One of our first tasks will
be to identify the right balance between these two languages (e.g. a balance that works for
everyone).
Students are welcome to write their assignments in Spanish, but this is not required.
This course will take place face to face, public health guidelines allowing. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Film review Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30
Continuous Assessment: Continuous assessment. Every week you will write up a commonplace book/portfolio based on your readings, seminar work and participation in the module’s activities. Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

70

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

- Individual feedback to students, on an activity or draft prior to assessment (upon request) - Individual feedback to students, post-assessment.

Name Role
Dr Ruben Flores Lecturer / Co-Lecturer