Course Listing Latin American Studies

This course surveys the Atlantic upheavals that began with the American Revolution, spread to Europe with the outbreak of the French Revolution, surged forward in the Americas with the Haitian This course surveys the Atlantic upheavals that began with the Revolution, and culminated in nineteenth century independence movements in Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Columbia, and other Latin European colonies. Course assignments will compare the characteristics of the upheavals and explore the legacies of the revolutionary age.

This class examines the history of Latin America from 1492 until the early nineteenth century. After considering the rise of the Aztec and Inca empires, we will consider how the Spanish and Portuguese were able to acquire and maintain control in the region. Topics include indigenous-European relations, slavery, economic developments, the challenges of maintaining a colonial government, and Latin American independence.

Modern Latin America, a 200-level course, surveys Latin America from independence in the early nineteenth century to the present using primary sources, a textbook, and scholarly works. It begins with an understanding of the political, social, and economic context from which ideas of independence emerged and consideres the wars for independence. We will spend a significant part of the course studying nation-building: how did the leaders of new nations define their nations and the values that would guide them? Who was included and who was excluded in the process of nation-building? The next part of the course examines the demands of groups originally excluded: the indigenous population, women, and the poor. The portion of the course covering the twentieth century emphasizes Latin America's international connections, focusing on influence from the United States and the effectds of world wars on the region. Mass politics also emerge, and are expressed in the Mexican Revolution and in Peronism. We also wiill consider the Cuban Revolution and its wider effects in the region. We will conclude our survey of the region by considering how historical trends continue to affect politics today. For example, the Bolivian political scene continues to be affected by the events and outcome of the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) and by a strong indigenist movement.

The concept of the Atlantic world arose to describe the interactions of the peoples of the Americas, Europe, and Africa through trade, conquest, colonialism, independence and beyond. In this class, we will consider the cultural, economic, and political relationships that are formed and change over time between these groups. We will pay special attention to historical approaches to studying and writing about the Atlantic World.

This course takes a comparative approach to the study of plantation slavery in the Americas with special attention to developments in Virginia and Cuba. It surveys the structure of slavery in the nineteenth century United States South; slavery's legacy in the United States; and its twenty-first century reincarnation in human trafficking and forced labor around the world.

The Cuban Revolution has been surrounded by controversy since it took power in 1959. Through readings, films, and discussions, we will examine not only the events that have occurred in Cuba over the last four decades but also the ways that they have been presened to audiences in Cuba, the United States, and elsewhere. We will carefully consider the role of perspective in academic writing and the media and how it has shaped understandings of the Castro era.

The context, background and forces shaping the contemporary politics of the Latin American region.

A comparative study of the political, social, cultural and economic forces that have led to the current situations in the countries of the Caribbean area (Mexico, Central America and the islands).

A continuation of 54.104, Intensive Spanish 1 and 2, this is a six credit blended (hybrid) course-taught partly in the classroom and partly online--intensive one-semester accelerated version of the third and fourth Spanish courses. Being a blended course, the online time will be dedicated to grammar review, and to the completion of various assignments and assessments. Class time will focus on communicative activities that combine grammatical concepts, relevant vocabulary, and cultural themes. An intensive course that aims to develop an intermediate mid proficiency in Spanish and familiarity with Hispanic culture through practice in the use of the grammatical structures and acquisition of vocabulary stressing language skills. The purpose of instruction is to utilize previous language background to lay a solid foundation for further Spanish language study (advanced level). Satisfactory completion of this course fulfils the prerequisite for Spanish 300-400 level courses.

Enhances the four skills acquired in Spanish 2 and Culture (or equivalent), which is a pre-requisite: speaking, listening, reading and writing through the discovery of the culture of Spanish speaking countries in a communicative approach (instruction occurs in Spanish with minimal use of English). This class is the 3rd of the 4-course Spanish language program offered at UML. Language courses are sequential and must be taken accordingly.

This course has Spanish 3 and Culture (or equivalent) as a pre-requisite and is the 4th and last of the 4-course Spanish language program offered at UML. The course strengthens the four skill acquired in prior levels. It emphasizes increased accuracy and depth of students� abilities and knowledge of the culture of Spanish speaking countries in a communicative approach (instruction occurs in Spanish with almost no use of English). Students express themselves orally and in writing at the national standards level of high-intermediate and understand key-concepts when spoken clearly at native speed.

A study of the major writers of Latin America from the indigenist literature to the modernist period. The authors and their works are placed in their historical, sociological, and literary prespective, thus introducing students to the Latin American World. Conducted in Spanish.

A continuation of 53.302, Latin American Literature and Culture I. Conducted in Spanish

Involves individual assignments under the sponsorship of local service agencies servicing the Spanish-speaking community involving individual family and group contact. Written and oral reports will be in Spanish.

Considers significant intellectual, artistic, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of Latin America from the beginning of its history. Through audiovisual aids and selected readings, the student will explore the Latin American way of being and expressing.

Examines Latin American theatrical works as forms of socially accepted resistance and politically charged art forms. The course will consider plays and performances that challenge governments, inequities, and the status quo. In this course, students will study a variety of Latin American plays, as well as performances an political acts that explore these issues.

An exploration of representative Spanish and latin American films from a variety of major directors. Areas of investigation include the cinematic representation of nationality, ethnicity, identity, gender, history and politics. This course will be taught in English. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable but not required. Spanish majors and minors will complete written assignments, reviews, quizzes, and exams in Spanish.

Provides an analytical examination of the thematic and linguistic structures in major Latin American short story writers such as Borges, Cortazar, Marquez, Rulfo.

A study of the development of the Latin American novel. Three major works of Latin American short story writers such as Borges, Cortazar, Marquez, Rulfo.

Latin American essays of the nineteenth and twentieth century. Among the authors studied are Montalvo, Bolivar, Bello, Rodo, Henriquez Urena, Vasconcelos, Alfonzo Reyes, and German Arciniegas.

A program of directed study which affords advanced students an additional opportunity to pursue a previously explored problem in greater depth or to initiate an additional problem. The purpose is to sharpen and refine techniques for scholarly research and presentation and for creative expression.

A program of on-campus and/or off-campus experiences for Spanish or Modern Language majors only. Specific requirements vary depending upon faculty policies and the nature of the program undertaken by the student. The intent of the practicum experience is to provide an occasion for investigation of a community, social, cultural, or artistic area and for applying techniques of problem solving and/or skills which are appropriate to the student's major discipline. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. Students are graded satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. The practicum experience may not be substituted for a required course in the major.

The purpose of this course is to provide a general overview of the art of the traditional cultures of Africa, North America, Native America, and the South Pacific. This overview will be presented within a critical framework that questions the relationship between �civilized� viewers and so-called �primitive� art. Selection of cultures may vary according to instructor.