Identities and Ecologies of Latin America

Why should I take this Trinity Elective?

Latin America and the Caribbean have long been at the forefront of environmental and social struggles, shaping innovative responses to ecological crises and human rights challenges. This elective invites you to explore the region not as a European "New World" discovery but as a source of knowledge, resilience, and creative action in the face of global environmental challenges.

Through interdisciplinary perspectives from the environmental humanities, cultural studies, and ecological activism, you will examine how the struggles of marginalized communities have led to groundbreaking policies—such as granting legal rights to ecosystems—and how these themes are reflected in the region’s literature, art, music, and media. Whether you come from the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences (AHSS), or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), this elective will equip you with tools to analyze cultural production, rethink ecological narratives, and apply Latin American and Caribbean lessons to global challenges.

What will I learn?

• Explore historical and contemporary global environmental challenges through case studies from Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Develop critical and creative thinking skills to analyze interconnected forms of environmental, gender-based, and racial violence.
• Gain transmedia literacy to communicate across diverse media, learning from Latin American and Caribbean perspectives to engage responsibly with cultural and ecological issues.

What will I do?

• Participate in interactive lectures and seminars that encourage discussion and debate.
• Engage with written, audio, and visual materials that explore the cultural and socioecological landscapes of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Analyze how literature, film, and other cultural expressions address urgent environmental challenges and social justice issues.

How will this be delivered?

• 11 interactive lectures or seminars featuring discussions and analysis.
• Online engagement with curated materials, including texts, podcasts, and audiovisual content.

How will this be assessed?

• 40% Collaborative group project and presentation: Choose between a podcast or video presentation exploring a case study related to the module.
• 60% Individual written assignment analyzing a key theme or case study.

Who can take this Trinity Elective?

This elective is open to any eligible student. If you’re interested in environmental justice, cultural identity, and global perspectives on sustainability, this module offers an opportunity to explore these crucial issues through the lens of Latin America and the Caribbean.

* Please note that assessment methods, assessment weightings and amount of contact hours are subject to change by the module coordinator. You can confirm all assessment details and expected contact hours with the module coordinator upon starting the elective.