This text-based module seeks to provide an historical overview of political and cultural ideas in (and about) Spanish America over the last 500 years with particular emphasis on questioning orthodox disciplinary paradigms, parameters and chronological comforts. None the less, it does proceed in a broadly chronological manner and through cumulative multidisciplinary means, so that you will be able progressively to develop skills and knowledge beyond their personal disciplinary experience and training. 

The first third of the module deliberately compares 16th and 17th – century thought and experience with cognate phenomena in the contemporary period, in order to instil an inquiring sensibility with respect to continuity and rupture. 

Aside from the initial introduction to theorists of political power, each week will include discussion of pertinent interpretative, historical and creative texts/productions.