Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is an under-researched condition that results in debilitating symptoms for people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It is characterized by extreme mental and physical symptoms that occur in the two weeks before a person’s menstrual cycle, such as depression, fits of rage, and joint pain. Researchers have been unable to narrow down a cause for this disorder, although it’s suspected to be due to abnormal hormonal activity. PMDD has been found to be more prevalent in Latin American countries, prompting a study that synthesizes prior peer-reviewed literature about this disorder in Latin America. This study seeks to educate its audience on PMDD, evaluate the impact of PMDD in Latin America, and draw implications about AFAB healthcare there. It is valuable because it could inspire future studies regarding an under researched medical condition that impacts AFAB people, a group that already experiences barriers to healthcare. The findings indicate that PMDD may be more prevalent in some areas of Latin America than in the United States due to unique socioeconomic factors, and that not all Latin American countries view the disorder the same.
The purpose of this project is to review the history and curriculum of the School of The Americas, examine its graduates that ran oppressive regimes in four Latin American countries, and, finally, take a brief look at where the military institution is today. Throughout the Cold War, the US, in its desperation to prevent the spread of communism, intervened heavily in Latin America’s governments, installing US-trained, fascist dictators and aiding them in civil wars and genocides against their citizens; the current economic, social, and health conditions of these countries are directly tied to these times of turmoil. Through an examination of declassified US government documents, journalists’ reports, and resources from organizations that spread awareness of the human rights violations associated with the military institution, I seek to explain the consequences of the School of The Americas and US interventionism in Latin America.
This paper delves into the history and cultural significance of weaving in the Maya culture, specifically as practiced by Mayan women in Guatemala across many generations. Through a description of the technical and artistic aspects of craft and its roots in Maya legends, the craft is discussed as a means by which Maya culture was preserved despite centuries of colonization and during periods of Guatemala’s history in which the government targeted Mayan communities for persecution if not outright elimination. The research shows how this practice has therefore, in its use of patterns that specifically identify the various Maya communities that create them, have historically served as acts of resistance to a problematic history.
