Advanced Diploma in Critical Theory and Marxism/s in Latin America

This Advanced Diploma aims to revisit some old, unfinished discussions—both theoretical, political, and cultural—regarding the relevance of Critical Theory and Marxism for explaining and transforming “actually existing” capitalism in Latin America, from a post-capitalist perspective. Indeed, following the shifts in social, political, and cultural power relations promoted by both civilian and military governments in the region during the 1970s and 80s, which marked the beginning of the end for the populist form of capitalism and the consolidation of a conservative neoliberal form, both Critical Theory and Marxism were sidelined as potential responses to this transformation. The broad topics we cover in this diploma course on Critical Theory and Marxism aim to make us question once again the many faces of capitalism, which in these historical moments of the 21st century - and, again, in economic, political, social and cultural terms - is once again assuming increasingly savage and expropriating characteristics.  

The beginning of the 21st century in Latin America witnessed a process of crisis in the policies and governments that had been hegemonic during the 1990s. This crisis was, among other factors, the product of a resurgence of various social movements—indigenous, peasant, women's, workers', youth, etc.—in the region, which ultimately challenged this neoconservative and neoliberal hegemony.
In political terms, the critique of neoliberalism led to the arrival in government of options that generically - and in different senses - could be described as "post-neoliberal" (because some authors like Katz -2014- prefer to speak of neo-developmentalisms and others like Bonnet -2015- or Piva -2015- characterize to some extent these new governments as neo-populist), such as those of Chávez in Venezuela, Kirchner in Argentina, Lula in Brazil, Morales in Bolivia, Vázquez in Uruguay, Correa in Ecuador, among others.
However, the triumph of liberal neoconservatism worldwide during the last decade of the 20th century, coupled with the collapse of the Soviet regimes in Russia and Eastern Europe, represented not merely an economic, political, or social victory, but also a cultural one, creating a void in the utopian horizon of emancipation, from which Latin America was not exempt. Thus, once the neoconservative liberal options in Latin America entered a period of crisis and progressive options came to power, the latter focused on implementing policies that were more or less distinct from the previous neoliberal ones, but without this implying the possibility of transcending or even attempting to question the functioning of capitalism.
These limits, which capitalist functioning imposed on progressive or post-neoliberal governments, even in a political or cultural sense, precipitated the stagnation of those policies that sought to transform the dominant neoliberal paradigm and enabled the return to political power of "recharged" and radicalized neoliberal options, in such a way that, unlike the previous neo-conservative liberal options, they did not seek - nor do they seek - a horizon of democratic legitimacy.
It is in this sense that we believe it is of utmost importance—and this is what we will propose in this diploma program—to re-examine the current functioning of capitalism in Latin America from a critical perspective, where Marxist philosophies reclaim the centrality that had been displaced—politically, socially, and culturally—during the last decade of the 20th century. This is to foster a discussion about possible anti-capitalist horizons. Such a discussion is more necessary than ever in a region like Latin America, ravaged by an unprecedented neoliberal crisis, which seems to suggest that the only possible way out is a form of capitalism that currently takes the form of exceptional political regimes with neo-fascist overtones.

GENERAL PURPOSE

To raise a discussion regarding the theoretical “universe” of the so-called “Critical Theory” and Marxisms in Latin America, especially with regard to the development of its social, political and cultural critique.

Throughout this work, we will attempt to outline both the contributions this tradition has made to current "social theory," as well as the problems and theoretical challenges arising from the various dialectical perspectives that comprise this school of thought. This will be particularly true regarding the interrelationships between the "political," the "philosophical," the cognitive, and the "aesthetic," within the context of the transformations taking place in contemporary capitalist societies.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• To historicize the emergence and theoretical projection of this intellectual tradition, from the production of its authors, within the field of social sciences and in the application of the critical interpretation of Latin American reality.
• To provide students with the necessary conceptual tools to encourage a critical approach to the different theoretical-cognitive-aesthetic perspectives present in the authors who make up this tradition of critical thinking in Latin America.
• To enable students to acquire diverse critical perspectives that allow them to support a process of –in Bourdieu's terms– “epistemological vigilance” in their own productions.
• To introduce the discussion on different stages of Critical Theory and Marxisms to the present day, highlighting the importance and relevance of epistemological reflection.
• To be able to distinguish in the intellectual itinerary of this tradition of critical thought between those elements that refer to an “internal history” of theoretical evolution and its relationship with “external history”.

The Higher Diploma in Critical Theory and Marxism/s in Latin America is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students; teachers at all levels; activists and members of trade union organizations, social movements and political parties; public officials; members and managers of non-governmental organizations and professionals interested in the subject.

The program consists of 5 modules of 3 weekly classes each, taught consecutively and linked together.

Total workload of 128 hours.

The modules that comprise the Higher Diploma are: