Critical Social Inquiry 0202 - Politics/Abortion in the Amer

The Americas have been characterized by the strictness of its laws in the criminalization of abortion. The only countries in the hemisphere in which the practice is legal are Canada, Cuba, the Guyanas and the US. There are countries such as Chile, El Salvador and Nicaragua in which abortion is criminalized even in cases in which the mother's life is at risk. This course introduces students to the politics of abortion in the Americas. Some of the questions we will consider are: what role have women's movements played in advancing abortion rights in the region? What has mattered most for the movements' success, their internal characteristics or external forces? Has the way the movement framed the demand for the right to abortion mattered? Has the increase in the number of women in positions of power made a difference? What about the coming to power of leftist governments in many Latin American countries? How has the political influence of the Catholic and Evangelical churches influenced policies in this area? What about the role of the anti choice movement? We will answer these questions by exploring examples from all across the region through primary and secondary sources.

Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research