Economic History of Latin America
an open online course by
The Penn Initiative for the Study of Markets
February 14 - April 27, 2023
Course Overview
The Penn Initiative for the Study of Markets at the University of Pennsylvania offers an online course on the economic history of Latin America. The objective is to familiarize students with the most recent literature on the economic history of Latin America and its contemporary development. Despite recent gains in democracy and economic growth in the region, it still lags behind advanced economies in Europe and Asia. These traits are linked to a shared past: indigenous legacies, colonial extraction, slavery, economies based on commodities, political fragmentation, conflicts fueled by the cold war, and authoritarian regimes and rebellions against them. It is an interdisciplinary course that encompasses the most recent contributions in economics, economic history, political science, archeology, and other fields. There will be ten 90-minute classes (with a short break) and ten plenary talks by invited experts, spread over ten weeks.
The objective is to familiarize students with the recent, burgeoning literature on Latin American Economis History and its impact on contemporary economic development
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the course aimed at?
Advanced undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in economics, political science, history, and sociology, interested in Latin America’s economic history, development, and political economy. The online course is also well-suited for professionals in international organizations, development agencies, non-governmental organization, and development finance institutions interested in how history shapes domestic policies, foreign aid, development finance, and international investment
Is there a cost?
This is an open access course. All lectures and sessions will take place via zoom. All interested to participate need to register by the day the classes commence.
Are the lectures available in Spanish or Portuguese?
Yes, the course will be transmitted in English, but we will have a live translation into both Spanish and Portuguese.
What are the Class Meeting Times?
All the main lectures will take place on Tuesdays at 11.00-12.30 (EDT), and the supplementary topic lectures on Thursdays at 11.45- 13.00 (EDT).
Where do I access the lectures?
You need to register before Februrary 14. The links to the live lectures will be sent once you have registered for the course.
Am I required to attend all lectures?
We recommend that those registered will attend all lectures; however, they are free to attend the sessions as they please. We look forward to a discussion and encourage active participation.
Will there be coursework involved?
No, there is no coursework. However, we do recommend that you read the readings highlighted in the course material section, as it will improve your understanding of the topic discussed in the lectures.
Will the lectures be recorded?
Yes, all lectures will be recorded and uploaded to our website and our youtube channel.