Program Overview

Political Histories in Latin American Culture (LITC0031)

Key Information

The module is part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, specifically the School of European Languages, Culture and Society. It has a credit value of 15. Priority is given to Comparative Literature Students with Spanish or Portuguese language, but texts can be studied in translation. The module is available to Affiliates subject to space.

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

Module Content and Indicative Topics

This module introduces students to novels, short fiction, mural art, film, and historiography from modern and contemporary Latin America. It takes a comparative approach to questions and theories of political history as they arise in literary texts, including works by E. Poniatowska, T. Eloy Martínez, R. Bolańo, and C. Lispector, as well as the film "Linha de passe" (Salles & Thomas). Topics include the Mexican post-revolutionary cultural landscape, mid-century Argentine populism, the Cold War and Southern Cone dictatorships, and questions of gender, class, nationhood, race, memory, and justice in Brazil.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students will have gained:

• Experience of the global range of literatures
• An awareness of the role of cultural, social, and historical contexts and critical traditions in shaping literary history
• An ability to describe and analyse intercultural trends
• An ability to analyse and evaluate the similarities and dissimilarities of cultures
• A familiarity with close reading, textual analysis, and appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to texts

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

The intended teaching term is Term 1, and the module is offered at the Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 5) level.

Teaching and Assessment

Mode of Study

The mode of study is in person.

Methods of Assessment

The methods of assessment include 100% coursework, with two assessments. The mark scheme uses numeric marks. Note that the methods of assessment for affiliate students may be different and require contacting the department for more information.

Other Information

• The number of students on the module in the previous year was 18.
• The module leader is Dr. Emily Baker.

Last Updated

This module description was last updated on 10th March 2026.