Course Description
The interdisciplinary study of Latin America and the Caribbean. Examination of ethnic and cultural diversity and issues of gender, race, class, and culture within Latin American and Caribbean society. Consideration will also be given to the historical, political, economic, geographic, and social experiences of Latin American and Caribbean ethnic and cultural groups with special attention to their diversity and unity.
Athena Title
Introduction to LACS
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in LACS 1000E, LACS 1000H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
-Assimilate, analyze and relate class readings and lectures on the historical and cultural development of Latin America in order to understand how history and culture have shaped the configuration of Latin America's cultural identity. -Participate actively in class discussions and debates. -Summarize and react to assigned readings and lectures in one-page reaction papers on various aspects of Latin American history and culture. -Present at least one reaction paper orally to class using PowerPoint. -Choose a topic of interest to develop more fully incorporating class readings, lectures and additional bibliographic sources in a research paper, and present the paper orally to the class using PowerPoint. -Participate in on-line class discussions through WebCt and email.
Topical Outline
1. Why study Latin America and the Caribbean? 2. Colonialism 3. Independence 4. Slavery and Culture 5. Nation-State Formation 6. Neocolonialism 7. Nationalism 8. Revolution 9. The Cold War Era 10. U. S./Latin American Relations 11. Current Issues in Latin America 10. Neoliberalism and Globalization 11. Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S.
General Education Core
CORE IV: World Languages and Global CultureSyllabus