Description:

This course is an examination of the economic, social, political and cultural history of Latin America since independence. Regional identities, such as Central America, and independent national states, such as Cuba and Mexico, are explored. Literary and intellectual trends together with contemporary popular culture are featured in the course. 3 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Distinguish the particular development, problems and cultural uniqueness of each country studied.
2. Identify those events, issues and trends common to most Latin American nations.
3. Analyze the historical relationship between the U.S. and Latin America.
4. Discuss major literary and cultural movements in Latin America since independence.
5. Describe the social problems that are specific to Latin America.
6. Analyze the important roles of the Catholic Church and military in the political life of Latin America.
7. Explain the development of national fronts, land reform organizations and guerilla movements in Central and Latin America.
8. Illustrate the degree of dependency of Latin American nations upon U.S. and European economic and foreign policies in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. From Colony to Nation
   A. Introduction
      1. List five reasons for studying Latin America.
      2. Identify all of the countries of Latin America and its major
rivers on a blank map.
      3. List four common myths about Latin American nations and describe
how they square with reality.
      4. Explain the major interpretations of Latin America and select
which one matches your current understanding of these nations.
   B. Colonial foundations and legacy
      1. Describe the native peoples of the Americas during the Age of
Discovery.
      2. Summarize how Europeans, especially Columbus and his crews, are
characterized by Kirkpatrick Sale’s essay (handout).
      3. List and define the colonial institutions of the Spanish and the
Portuguese in the New World.
      4. Explain the causes of the wars of independence.
   C. Independence and its aftermath
      1. Show how the independence movements varied across Latin America
and in the Caribbean.
      2. List the impact of the wars of independence upon the nations of
Latin America.
   D. The heritage of independence
      1. Describe how political independence led to economic, religious
and cultural independence from Spain and Portugal.
      2. Trace the legacy of the wars for independence upon the new
nations.
   E. The search for order
      1. Analyze how caudillismo affected the search for political order
in Latin America.
      2. Trace the development of political parties in Latin America and
define their differences.

II. Nation Building
   A. Discuss the key ideas that supported nationalism in the new states.
   B. Ways of life
      1. Compare and contrast rural and urban lifestyles in
nineteenth-century Latin America.
      2. Characterize slavery in Latin America and compare it to slavery
in the U.S.
      3. Discuss the role of women.
      4. Trace the influence of the nineteenth-century Catholic church.
   C. Mexico and Central America
      1. Describe the leadership of Benito Juarez and the elements of La
Reforma.
      2. Identify the major themes of the Porfiriato.
      3. Explain the influence of coffee, bananas and canals on Central
America.
   D. South America
      1. List those influences common to the political, social and
economic development of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile
and Argentina.
      2. Trace the impact of the War of the Pacific.
      3. Evaluate the influence of the monarchy in Brazil and explain its
longevity.
   E. Culture
      1. Explore the development of an independent Latin American
culture.
      2. Define modernism, positivism, indigenism and other cultural
currents popular at the turn of the century.
   F. Latin America and the U.S.
      1. Select the key events forming the relationship between the U.S.
and Latin America at the turn of the century.
      2. Discuss  dollar "diplomacy", Pan-Americanism and American
interests in the Caribbean in 1900.

III. The Early Twentieth Century
   A. Populism in South America
      1. Define populism and describe some of its examples in South
America.
   B. Dictators of the Caribbean
      1. Summarize the careers of selected Caribbean dictators.
      2. Trace the U.S. role in supporting dictatorships in the Caribbean,
especially Cuba.
   C. Panama, Brazil and Peru
      1. Illustrate the U.S. role in the creation of the canal.
      2. Discuss the decline of Brazil’s Old Republic.
      3. Summarize the changes in Peruvian political life in the 1920s.
   D. Revolutions in Mexico, Brazil and Nicaragua
      1. Describe the various Mexican revolutionaries and their different
agendas.
      2. Trace the course of the Mexican Revolution and list the key
components of the Constitution of 1917.
   E. Depression and Latin America
      1. Discuss the impact of economic nationalism in Argentina and
Brazil.
      2. Describe how Batista and Trujillo maintained power.
   F. Race, culture and gender
      1. Discuss the various theories of race.
      2. Analyze the popularity of indigenismo in Peru.
      3. Explore the role of gender in Latin American culture.
   G. Latin America in World War II
      1. Trace the impact of World War II on Latin America.
      2. Characterize the relationship between Latin American countries
and the U.S. in World War II.

IV. Revolutionary Populism and Anti-Communism
   A. Analyze the populist elements of Getulio Vargas, Juan and Eva Peron,
Haya de la Torre and Juscelino Kubitschek.
   B. Columbia
      1. Describe the period known as "La Violencia."
      2. Discuss the development of the drug trade and show its domestic
and international importance.
   C. Central America/Caribbean Basin
      1. Outline how Costa Rica obtained its unique political legacy.
      2. Trace how Haitian politics have impoverished a nation.
      3. Describe the continuing influence of canal issues in Panamanian
politics.
   D. The Cuban Revolution and its aftermath
      1. Define the U.S. concept of containment.
      2. Outline Castro’s rise to power and his turn toward socialism.
      3. Trace the global impact of the Cuban Revolution.
      4. Describe the place of Cuba in U.S. hemispheric policy.
      5. Assess the success of the Cuban Revolution by century’s end.
   E. Military rule
      1. Discuss the rise of military states in Chile, Argentina, Brazil
and Uruguay.
      2. Evaluate the influence of the U.S. in these military
governments.
   F. Conflict since 1980
      1. Describe the group known as Sendero Luminoso.
      2. Analyze the elements of guerilla movements in Central America.
      3. Discuss the conflict between the contras and the Sandanistas.
      4. Evaluate Cuba’s role in Latin America in the 21st Century.
   G. Latin America in the new century
      1. Sketch the potential impact of economic consortiums, such as
NAFTA, upon Latin America.
      2. Illustrate the influence of Latin American culture upon the U.S.
and Europe.
      3. List the continuing problems that Latin America brings to the new
century.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1) Two short examinations plus a midterm and a final
2) Project paper and presentation

See individual instructor’s syllabus for grading scale.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.