From Dictatorship to Democracy in Chile
Study the legacy of dictatorship in Santiago
Information last updated: September 28, 2026
Subject to change.
Study political transformation in Chile
Explore how Chile’s journey from dictatorship to democracy continues to shape debates on justice, inequality, and the future of democratic societies.
Join a unique two-week study abroad experience in Santiago, Chile, and explore one of the most consequential political transformations of the modern era. Through site visits, seminars, and guided reflection, students will examine the enduring legacies of Chile's 1973 military coup, the Pinochet dictatorship, and the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen democracy.
The program combines two complementary Political Science courses taught by Dr. Pablo Policzer and Dr. Noam Titelman who bring both scholarly expertise and personal experience to the study of dictatorship and human rights. Born in Chile, Dr. Policzer came to Canada as a refugee after his father was imprisoned by the Pinochet regime. Dr. Titelman offers the perspective of a younger generation that has sought to reshape Chilean democracy, drawing on his experience as a leader of the influential 2011–12 student movement.
Learning extends far beyond the classroom through visits to key historical and political sites, including the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, Londres 38, Estadio Víctor Jara, and a day trip to Valparaíso. The program requires no prior knowledge of Chile or Latin America. By engaging directly with the places, people, and debates that continue to shape Chile today, students will gain a deeper understanding of democracy, power, memory, and social change in a global context.
Coup of September 11, 1973. Bombing of La Moneda (presidential palace) in Chile.
By Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, CC BY 3.0 cl
Important dates
Questions?
Meet your instructors
Pablo Policzer
Pablo Policzer is an associate professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary. A specialist in comparative politics, his research focuses on the evolution of violent conflict — especially among armed actors such as militaries, police forces, and non-state armed groups - in authoritarian and democratic regimes. He held the Canada Research Chair in Latin American Politics (2005-2015), and is a Fellow at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. He was also an active Fellow at the Latin American Research Centre before being appointed Director in 2015. His book The Rise and Fall of Repression in Chile (Notre Dame University Press, 2009) was named a Choice Magazine "Outstanding Academic Title", and won the 2010 award for best book in Comparative Politics from the Canadian Political Science Association. He obtained his PhD in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his BA (Honours, First Class) in political science from the University of British Columbia.
Noam Titelman
Noam Titelman's research explores voting behaviour and perceptions of democratic fairness, focusing on how citizens evaluate political processes and how those views shape trust in democratic institutions. By studying participation and attitudes toward fairness, his work helps explain the conditions that support or weaken democratic stability. Titelman brings international experience from Sciences Po, the London School of Economics and the Central European University, and is recognized as a public intellectual in Chile for his contributions to democratic reform and civic engagement.
Upcoming program info sessions
Courses
Students in this program are required to enroll in two courses:
- POLI 597.xx — The Legacies of the Pinochet Dictatorship (3 units)
- POLI 597.yy — The Challenges of Democracy in Chile (3 units)
Prerequisites
Consent of the department.
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Itinerary
Travel can be unpredictable. Global Classroom travel itineraries are tentative and subject to change, including while in the field.
- Mar. 24: Pre-departure meeting and group dynamics session
- May 2027: Pre-departure academic sessions (Calgary)
- Apr. 30: Flight from Calgary to Santiago (via connecting hub)
- May 1, Santiago: Arrival and orientation
- May 2, Santiago: Site visit — Walking tour of La Moneda and Plaza de la Constitucíon
- May 3, Santiago: Lectures, afternoon free exploration
- May 4, Santiago: Site visit — Instructor-guided comparative neighbourhoods walk, afternoon free exploration
- May 5, Santiago: Lectures, afternoon free exploration
- May 6, Santiago: Site visit — Estadio Víctor Jara (formerly Estadio Chile)
- May 7, Santiago: Free day
- May 8, Valparaíso: Site visit — Guided walking tour of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, visit National Congress building
- May 9, Santiago: Site visit — Guided tour of Londres 38, visit Cementerio General
- May 10, Santiago: Lectures, afternoon free exploration or visit to Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda
- May 11, Santiago: Site visit — Providencia, Plaza Italia/Baquedano/de la Dignidad and surrounding streets
- May 12, Santiago: Lectures, afternoon writing and preparation time
- May 13, Santiago: Site visit — Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos, afternoon writing time
- May 14, Santiago: Discussions and brief reflections, farewell group dinner
- May 15: Flight to Calgary
Accommodation
Sharing accommodation. More details will be available soon.
Cost
The estimated cost of the From Dictatorship to Democracy in Chile Global Classroom is $6,333. It will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals.
For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary.
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
Eligibility
This program is open to undergraduate students in good academic standing from all faculties.
FAQ
Please ensure that you have read the Global Classroom FAQ thoroughly before applying.
Funding
This is a UCalgary course so you can apply for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
There are also several Global Experiences awards you can apply for, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award.
How to apply
All applications require a written application (completed online) and an unofficial transcript.
Applications will be considered after your online application and documents have been received in full.
You will be informed if you have been accepted into the program after the application deadline.
The online application asks you questions about how the program will meet your goals (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how you plan to finance your program, and coping skills for travelling abroad. These questions are designed to help narrow down your motivation for applying, and why you should be selected.
Upload your unofficial transcript when you complete your online application.
Meet your advisor
Andrea Santos V.
Andrea’s journey has taken her from Mexico to France, India, and now Canada. She earned her degree in Communication Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey, spending a semester abroad at Sciences Po Lille in France, where she discovered just how life-changing international experiences can be.
Ready to apply?
