HIS-340: Latin America Through Film

Using the genre of film as an entry point, this course examines major political, social, and cultural events that occurred in Latin America during the second half of the twentieth century. The major themes addressed will include military dictatorships and authoritarianism; changing national identities; machismo, femininity and sexuality; poverty and urbanization; race and class; and violence. Students will analyze films as both primary and secondary sources with regard to both the subject matter depicted as well as the social, political, and cultural contexts that influenced the production of the films. In addition to viewing and discussing a film each week, students will be assigned various readings to accompany each film with the objective of furthering their understanding of the greater events and cultural shifts of which each film provides a window for historical examination. Prerequisite: HIS 222 or HIS 226