INTL 2000 - Introduction to Latin America

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives:

1. Identify and discuss significant topics of Latin American geography and history.
2. Identify and discuss significant topics of Latin American politics and economics.
3. Identify and discuss different art expressions in Latin America.
4. Recognize the contribution of Latin American culture to the depths and breadths of humanities and social sciences.

Outcome 2: Upon the completion of this course, students will gain better understanding of the diverse ethnic groups and cultures of the world and the special challenges of developing regions of the globe.

Objectives:

1. Identify ethnic and cultural differences in the world in general.
2. Identify ethnic and cultural related challenges of developing regions.

Outcome 3: Upon the completion of this course, students will recognize some of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society and interconnected world, focusing on Latin Americans in the United States.

Objectives:

1. Identify some of the rights of Latin Americans in the United States.
2. Identify some of the responsibilities of Latin Americans in the United States.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply critical thinking and writing skills to Latin American related topics and issues.

Objectives:

1. Discuss Analytical methods and processes.
2. Write essays presenting critical analysis.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Orientation: Syllabus and course overview
   Present situation of Latin America (statistical portrait)
2. Geography of the Land: Regional overview (map assignments) - North and Central America, Caribbean and South America
3. Pre-Columbian Civilizations: The Mayas, the Aztecs, the Inca Empire
4. Indigenous Groups and Iberian Invasions: Understanding cultural and ethnic background of the Iberia peninsula and its impact on the new World
5. African Slavery: The African contribution to Latin America civilization; the race mixing
6. Independence: Rebellion, the Spanish American patriotism and the unfinished revolution
7. The Postcolonial Blues: The liberal disappointment, the Caudillo leadership, the difference of Brazil; Journals due
8. Nationalism and Revolutions: The new immigrants, Populist leaders
9. Cuban revolution - Zapatistas in Mexico
10. The Reaction: The church in Latin America - Argentinean dictatorship, Development and Decay - The war in the Falklands
11. Military Rule: The Chilean coup. Cold wars in Central America - The “Ethnic cleansing” in Guatemala
12. Environment: Deforestation, pesticides and pollution - the vanishing rain forest
13. Women’s work: From homemakers to presidents - women writers Latin American fiction
14. Industrialization and Department Crisis: NAFTA - The politics of corruption
15. Latinos in the United States: Migration and the quest for identity