Exploration of the history of notable disasters in the Caribbean
and Latin America since the heyday of European expansion. The
readings focus on earthquakes, hurricanes, and other phenomena,
such as epidemics, that human action and inaction have at times
transformed into catastrophes. Consideration of how historical
forces have conditioned the effects of natural phenomena, how
disasters have helped spur socio-political transformations, and
how shifting understandings of religion, science, and politics
have influenced disasters and disaster relief.
Athena Title
Disasters in Latin America
Pre or Corequisite
Any course in history HIST or LACS or GEOG
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about disasters in the Caribbean through gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of disasters in the Caribbean and Latin America has shaped social and cultural identities and attitudes, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
Topical Outline
1. Are “natural disasters” really natural?
2. Hurricanes and the making of the colonial Caribbean
3. The Lima earthquake (1746) and the making of a Spanish-American city
4. “Acts of God,” “New Science,” and other ways of making sense of disasters
5. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and revolutions in Haiti and Spanish America
6. Yellow fever in neocolonial Cuba
7. Hurricanes in neocolonial Puerto Rico
8. Hurricanes in socialist Cuba
9. Earthquakes in neoliberal Mexico
10. Disaster capitalism? Haiti after the earthquake (2010) or Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria (2017)
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
