Abstract

KOPELOVICH, Pablo. Recepción y resignificación de la Eugenesia y la Biotipología en el Departamento de Cultura Física de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina, 1929-1946). Cuad. Fac. Humanid. Cienc. Soc., Univ. Nac. Jujuy [online]. 2023, n.63, pp.13-49. ISSN 1668-8104.

We analyze the way in which Eugenics and Biotypology were received and resignified in the Department of Physical Culture of the National University of La Plata throughout its eighteen years of existence (1919-1946). From a qualitative methodology perspective, we propose a case study, use document analysis as a technique, and investigate numerous and varied sources. We found that they were taken as referring to eugenics’ doctors such as Romero Brest, Boigey, Rodríguez and Grasso, highlighting the adherence to the latter, who proposed the implementation of a series of classification sheets. We interpret that a process of measurement, classification, and hierarchization of the students took place, deepened since 1936, resulting in concordance with the policies of Manuel Fresco in the province of Buenos Aires and of César Vásquez at the national level, without ignoring that Argentinean eugenics was a long-lasting issue that went beyond the different governments. We intend to contribute to the historicization of the ways in which they tried to manage the bodies (in movement) of the young students from the medical discourse.

Keywords : Physical Education; History; University.