Latin America has been a crucible for social, political and economic change in the 19th and 20th centuries. Intense struggles for nationhood, democracy, economic modernisation and secularisation have all resonated in the countries of Latin America. During the middle of the 20th century, Latin America's primary concerns were focused on national self-determination, inward industrialisation and populist authoritarian efforts to legitimise elite rule. In the late 20th century, the emphasis shifted towards economic growth, internationalisation, and pressures to improve the capacity and accountability of governments. This unit aims to provide students with the historical background, cultural awareness and analytic skills to interpret everyday social, political and economic reality during their period of In-country Study. The subject requires no prior knowledge of Latin America or of Spanish.

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