On the types of courses

The lectures focus on the major periods in the development of America and Latin America. The main focus of the chair is on the 19th and 20th centuries. However, the period of European expansion since the 15th century, i.e. the expansion of the various European powers, and the colonial era are also covered. The independence movements at the beginning of the 19th century with the subsequent formation of states and nations, the problems of social and economic development, the general Third World problem, transnational interdependencies, and the international relations of Latin American countries with other states, especially the US, play an important role.

The introductory seminars offer selected topics from the above-mentioned spectrum. In these courses, historical methods and debates in the context of Latin American history are discussed and practiced using selected topics (see module descriptions).

The seminars pursue a similar purpose to the introductory courses, but at a higher level. In addition to topics that deepen the areas covered, the seminars also address topics from the research projects at the chair. The aim is to involve qualified students in research at an early stage and to introduce them to independent academic work.

In the practice and reading courses, topics are examined and discussed on the basis of literature and sources. In most cases, the texts discussed have a direct relation to the courses (lectures).