Spring Quarter 2007-08 News
The Latin American Studies 2006-07 year-in-review newsletter, Enlace, is now available.
04.21.2008
Urban Renewal and National Security?
On April 21, Austin Zeiderman, a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology, discussed his research on urban renewal, counter-terrorism, and national security in Bogota, Colombia. Within Colombia, it is believed that the FARC have infilitrated poor neighborhoods in Bogota. The CVP resettlement program has identified zones in the city that are at high risk for environmental disasters, including floods, mudslides, and earthquakes. This program is asking residents of those areas to voluntarily relocate to safer regions of the city. Are these efforts linked with national security, or are they simply environmental measures?
Impact of Remittances to Mexico on Public Goods
On May 12, Claire Adida and Desha Girod, both Ph.D. candidates in Political Science, presented their work on remittances to Mexico from the United States. Prior studies have shown that remittances decrease poverty, illiteracy, and infant mortality and increase school enrollment. About 93% of remittances are destined for personal consumption, but do recipients of remittances use some of the money for public goods, such as sewage piping and water tanks? Preliminary results show that remittances have a positive impact on increased access to indoor piping; however, remittances appear to have no effect on access to public drainage.
05.14.2008
Poetics of Peruvian Archaeology
On May 14, Dr. Sara Castro-Klaren, Professor of Latin American Culture and Literature at Johns Hopkins University, explored the travel narratives of Clements Markham, who visited Peru from 1852 to 1853. Markham chose to use the writing of colonial chronicler, Garcilaso de la Vega, as a guide for his journeys. His trip started in Pachacamac (just south of Lima) and ended in Cusco: the reverse of Garcilaso's own journey. In essence, Markham exploited and reappropriated Garcilaso's version of Inka culture and added additional personal and visual effect. His writings and that of other travelers around the same time exotified Peru and the Inkas and inspired the poetics of archaeology.
05.14.2008
Historicizing Peru's Past
On May 14, Dr. Peter Klaren, Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University, described Peru's indigenous uprisings in the 1780's (with Tupac Amaru II), 1880's (with Atusparia), and the 1980's (with the Shining Path). In each case, Peru suffered from: a crisis of representation, an economic crisis, blocked modernization, a crisis of the Republican State, and fractured coloniality. Preceeding the rise of the Shining Path, Peru was struggling with the results of a badly implemented agrarian reform, as well as decreasing per capita food consumption and decreasing producing power.
Carlos Mesa, Ex-President of Bolivia, Comes to Bolivar House
On May 22, Bolivar House hosted a workshop on the participation of Indigenous Peoples in democracy in Latin America today. Present amongst the panelists was Carlos Mesa, who later gave a public lecture on current conditions in Bolivia.
Co-sponsored with the Coperacion Andina de Fomento
Spring Fiesta
Fun was had by all who attended this Caribbean-themed event on May 29. Many thanks to all performers, including Terroritmo, Anejos, Ballet Folklorico, Dr. Susan Cashion, and Cardinal Calypso!
