Latin American History

Course Description

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Course name: Latin American History
Course code: HIS 2302
Total contact hours: 48 hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Survey of Contemporary Latin American History
A survey of the main events of the Latin American History after its independence. Topics include the historical causes and effects of the independence, some of the main issues on social, economic and political problems and the main historical leaders in modern Latin America.

OBJECTIVES
? Describe the main events that affect the history of most Latin America.
? Learn who where the main leaders of the modern Latin American History.
? Analyze the importance of the colony period and the independence in the development of the Latin American countries.
? Recognize the general causes and effects of the international intervention in the political, economic and social issues of the Latin American countries throughout their history.
? Recognize the cultural and ethnic background of the Latin American countries.

CONTENTS
Lesson I
? Colonial Period
o Political, Social and Economic Organization.
? Introduction to pre-Columbian History
? The Viceroyalties
? The ?Encomiendas?
? The conquistadors
Lesson 2 and 3
? Latin American Independence
o Causes and Effects of the Independence.
o Mexican Independence: The Cry of Dolores
o Haiti and Cuba
? Revolutionary Leaders.
? USA intervention
o South America
? Revolutionary Leaders (Simon Bolivar and San Martín)
Lesson 4
? The Mexican Revolution in 1910
? Main causes of the Independence
? Revolutionary Leaders (Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa,
Francisco Madero)
? The Agrarian Reform
Lesson 5
? Marcus Garvey
o Introduction of the History of the Caribbean Islands (Slavery and
Freedom)
o Cultural and Ethnic Background in the Caribbean Islands
o Biography
o Influence of his ideology in the Caribbean Islands.
? Music
? Religion
Lesson 6 and 7
? Nicaragua
o William Walker invasion.
o The US Intervention
o Sandino Nicaraguan Revolution
o The Somoza regime
o The Sandinistas regime
o The Contras
Lesson 8 and 9
? The Cuban Revolution
o The Platt Amendment
o The Cuban Revolution
o Biographies: Fidel Castro and Ernesto ?Che? Guevara.
Lesson 10: I Test
Lesson 11 and 12
? Trujillo in Dominican Republic
o Dominican Republic Independence
o The beginning of the nation.
o The Trujillo Regime
o The Biography of the Butterflies Sisters.
Lesson 13 and 14
? The Panama Canal
o The Beginning of the Construction by the French.
o US intervention in Panama Independence
o US Panama Canal Construction
o Brief History of Panama in the 20th Century.
? The Martyr?s Day
? Torrijo?s Regime
? Noriega?s Regime
Lesson 15
? Argentina
o The main events of the Argentina History during the 20th Century.
o Evita Peron
o The Dirty War
o Desaparecidos
Lesson 16: 2 Test
Lesson 17:
? The Colombian Guerrillas
o The Thousand Day War
o La Violencia
o The creation of the Guerrillas
o The FARC
o The Guerrillas and the drug traffic.
Lesson 18:
? Chile: Allende and Pinochet
o Allende communist Regime
o Pinochet Regime
Lesson 19:
? Haiti:
o The Duvalier Regime
Lesson 20 and 21:
? Costa Rica
o Colonial Period
o The Independence of Costa Rica
o The Development of a Democratic and Free Country
o Costa Rica and the abolishment of its Army
Lesson 22: 3 Test
Lesson 24:
? General Conclusions

METHODOLOGY
? Lecture classes of 2 lessons of 50 minutes each twice a week/12 weeks.
? Debates (20 minute lesson) every 4 lessons about the topics studied
? Latin American movies or documentaries according to topics discussed
? Small research papers of the main leaders that where involved in the Latin American History.

Audience
This course is structured for International Students attending the Study Abroad program at Universidad Veritas. However, courses are not exclusive to foreigners so a few native student could enroll in this course.

Electronic devices:
The use of cell phones, smart phones, or other mobile communication devices is disruptive, and is therefore prohibited during class. Please turn all devices OFF and put them away when class begins. Devices may be used ONLY when the professor assigns a specific activity and allows the use of devices for internet search or recording. Those who fail to comply with the rule must leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period.

EVALUATION SYSTEM
? 10% attendance (You can only have two non consecutive total absences in your elective courses HOWEVER, if you miss more than one day of class in a given month, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT for that particular course).
? 10% homework (essay papers, 2% each)
? 25% First partial exam
? 25% Second partial exam
? 30% Final Test

Behavior Code
Professors have the right to expel a student from the classroom should he / she:
1) be disruptive in the classroom
2) be under the influence of alcohol or even smell like alcohol
3) Behave in a disrespectful way.
If you tend to be late for class, you will lose 25% of your total grade

Materials:
? The teacher provides all the material needed for the class.

BIBLOGRAPHY
? Brown, Jonathan C. Latin America: A Social History of the Colonial Period, Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2nd edition 2004
? Galeano, Eduardo. Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina. Siglo XXI
? José del Pozo. Latin America and the the Carribean Islands. Historia, 2002.
? Molina, Ivan. Costa Rican History. Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica. 2000.
? Schoonover, Thomas. The United States in Central America.
? RAMA, GERMAN W. The Social Politics in Latin America. Chile, August, 28-29, 2001.
? Wright, Thomas. Latin America in the Era of the Cuban Revolution.
? Barros Arana, Diego. General History of Chile. Editorial Universitaria 1999.