Welcome to the website of the Chair of Latin American History
The Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt is one of seven universities with a Chair of Latin American History in Germany. It is the only University with a Chair of Latin American History in Southern Germany.
Why History of Latin America?
The history of Latin America allows us to take a deep look into different processes and contexts, be they national, international, regional, transnational or global. Through its study the importance of the spatial, material, political, social and cultural development conditions can be understood, therefore it makes visible the processes of multicultural tendencies, transculturalization and hybridization. At the same time, while looking at “the other” or something different, it is even easier to understand our own context.
Teaching
Latin American History can be studied at the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in combination with other subjects (as a Teilfach) within the Flexible Bachelor's program or Flexible Master's programs. And also within the Bachelor's program of Latin American Studies.
The lectures (Vorlesungen) present a view of the most important processes and historical transformations of the subcontinent since its discovery and conquest. The pro and main seminars are primarily concerned with the post-colonial period, yet relevant aspects of the colonial history are also topics of discussion. These seminars seek to encourage and develop investigative skills in students in order to contribute to a more detailed study and historical analysis of the contexts and objects of study. An emphasis on a very critical point of view of the sources, in the review of literature and understanding of the respective historiographical debates is made. Concerning theoretical orientation, the Chair of Latin American History seeks to integrate classical perspectives with more recent proposals such as Global History, the New Cultural History, Visual History or Body History.
Research
Research of the Chair of Latin American History is focused primarily on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The numerous doctoral and postdoctoral projects as well as all the other research that is made by the Chair are focused on various issues of political, social, cultural and economic history of Latin America, in some cases with global or transnational approaches. Moreover, the Chair is one of the pillars of the Institute of Latin American Studies (ZILAS); which is one of the three interdisciplinary research centers at the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.
Library
Eichstätt has an excellent library provided with many books about Latin American history. It is a good place for studying Latin American history.
Academic Contacts
The Chair has very good contacts with European, Latin American and North American universities. Numerous exchange programs ensure the possibility to study and research in several of the top universities in some countries in Latin America.