The contents of the course will vary depending upon who is teaching it in a given year and what direction they choose to take the course. The central point to the course will be to directly use the active research agenda of faculty to provide expanded opportunities for study of Latin American to ANU students who meet the prerequisites.

The course will be taught in English, but will contain core readings in Spanish and/or Portuguese. For the most part these core readings will be in Spanish for topics dealing with the Spanish-speaking countries in the region. An ability to read Portuguese will only be essential for iterations of this special topics course devoted to a Brazilian special topic.

By the end of this course the student will be able to:
1. Design a  research question addressing the main themes of the Special Topics course
2. Undertake independent research in the special topic area
3. Critically engage with scholarship in the special topic area
4. Develop a deep understanding of the special topic area and how it relates to larger questions in Latin American politics and society.
5. Further develop student skills researching in Spanish/Portuguese language      materials.

1. A 2,000 word research essay assignment (40%);
2. Two 500 word ‘briefing memoranda’ on the course content (2x15% = 30%); and
3. A 2,000 word Final Assessment (30%).

Students will be expected to spend 10 hours per week on the course, including two hours of class time.

Students must have completed POLS1007 Introduction to Latin American Studies, HIST20JM Latin America: Conquest and Colonisation and one other course from the list of courses eligible for inclusion in the Latin American Studies major. Students must have an advanced reading ability in Spanish and/or Portuguese. An ability to read Portuguese will only be essential for iterations of this special topics course devoted to a Brazilian special topic.

Ability to read advanced material in Spanish and/or Portuguese. An ability to read Portuguese will only be essential for iterations of this special topics course devoted to a Brazilian special topic.

It will vary from year to year and reflect the focus of the special topic