An Introduction to Latin American Studies

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

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A comprehensive introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean, this course provides a foundation for understanding the cultures and societies of the region. The course covers such diverse topics as themes in Latin American literature and art; the contributions of Native peoples and Europeans to contemporary Latin American cultures; Latin American colonial and recent histories; interactions between Latin America and the rest of the world. Latin America is an important focus for study because it is central to world economic, political, and cultural processes. Latin American cultures are the center of issues surrounding globalization, international immigration, environmental change, political and religious movements, and artistic and cultural influences. This course will serve as an introduction to the topics, themes and approaches that are dealt with in greater depth in other courses in Latin American studies. Drawing on the expertise of Latin American Studies faculty, and faculty who include Latin American material in their courses, particular focus will be on the diversity of literatures, histories, and cultures of Latin America and on the interactions among Latin American countries and between Latin American countries and the rest of the world. The course will serve to introduce students to the study of an important culture area, and give students a broad base from which to explore more specialized topics in their own areas of interest. It also serves to introduce students to interdisciplinary study. This is important for those students who are interested in studying the diverse aspects of the Americas (North, Central and South).

STUDENTS @ WORK

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This section is reserved for publishing the best student works.

Jose Marti. Cuba's National Hero
by Dana Bruhns (pd.f.)

The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo

by Krista Duchnowski (pd.f.)

Cannibal Manifesto and The Brazilian Culture

by Erin Sheehan and Sheena L. Johnson

Jose Carlos Mariategui
by Alli Bibaud

ADDITIONAL TEXTS

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Christopher Columbus (extacts from journal)
Was America Discovered or Invaded by Enrique Dussel
The Jamaica Letter by Simón Bolívar
Our America by José Martí
Mothers at Plaza de Mayo, Argentina.
Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Biography
The Cannibal Manifesto by Oswaldo de Andrade, .
Seven interpretative Essays on Peruvian Reality by José Mariátegui.
Let me Speak by Domitila Barrios de Chungara
Remembering the Poor, an Interview with Gustavo Gutierrez.
Selection of contemporary indigenous proclaims, manifestos.
Selection of Writings of Subcommander Marcos (EZLN)

SHORT VIDEOS ON LATIN AMERICAN SOCIETIES AND POLITICS

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CHILE

Video: The crimes of Pinochet (18 min)
He claimed he was Chile's saviour but devised one of the worst concentration camp regimes since Hitler's 'Grand Plan.' As Chile comes to terms with General Pinochet's death, we offer you the definitive film on his crimes.

Video: 30 Years: Families Struggle for Justice (7 min)

Video: Pinochet: "Esta nunca ha sido una dictadura..." (In Spanish)

ARGENTINA

Video: Mothers at Plaza de Mayo, Argentina (2:10 min)

Video: A testimony of Nora Morales de Cortinas (3:36 min)

MEXICO

Video: Juarez and Their Women (4:40 min)
Violence against women in Juarez, Mexico

Video: Feminicidio (2:30 min)
Violence Against Mexican Women (In Spanish)

CUBA

Video: Fidel Castro: 48 Years in Power

Video: Cuba after Fidel - What Next? (3:40)

Video: A biography of Fidel Castro (8:11 min)

US LATINOS

Video: Life in the United States (8:30 min)

Video: Latino Immigration Documentary (6:29 min)