Courses Satisfying Latin American and Latino Studies Minor Requirements
Summer and Fall 2014
Summer
Study Abroad in Mexico (6 CR):
ANTH E321 (meets Non-Western requirement) or SOC B399 Peoples of Mexico Vanderveen J
SPAN (3 CR--level varies)
Davis J
HIST T390 Literary and Intellectual Traditions (3 CR)
VT: Clash of Civilizations and Conquest of the Americas
14730 SS2
01:00P-04:15P
TR
DW1135
Froysland H
The course will be a reading- and discussion-based seminar. It will introduce students to some of
the pre-Columbian societies, such as the Aztecs, Maya, Muisca, and Inca, as well as the world of
the Spanish and Portuguese just prior to Columbus’s journey and accidental encounter of the
“New” World. The main focus of the course will be the subsequent conflict between the
European and indigenous societies and the conquest of the latter by the former. Students will
engage in an analysis of numerous primary documents as well as secondary sources in order to
understand how various native peoples perceived the Spanish and vice versa. How did they
understand or misunderstand each other? How did what were initially rather friendly encounters
(in most cases) come to such a violent end? Students will especially acquire an in-depth look at
the conquest itself through the eyes and words of some conquerors who wrote about their
experiences (such as Hernán Cortés) as well as surviving accounts that offer the perspective of
various native groups (such as the Aztec Florentine Codex).
Fall
History
HIST-H 211 Latin American Culture & Civilization 1 (3 CR)
4964 11:30A-12:45P
TR
DW1275
Froysland H
This course will examine broadly the political, economic, cultural, and social dimensions of colonial Latin
American history. We will also connect these broad structures to the human experience. We will begin
with the clash between the cultures of European conquerors and native peoples in the Americas and
consider how some advanced native civilizations, such as the Aztecs, collapsed so rapidly. We will also
analyze the ways in which the Europeans (Spanish and Portuguese) exacted power. Of prime importance
will be the study of the interaction between Europeans, indigenous groups, and African slaves and the
creation of mixed race, multicultural societies. The course will end with an examination of the
movements that led to the political Independence of the countries of Latin America, such as Argentina,
Colombia, and Mexico. The course is primarily lecture-based. However we will have several discussions
of the reading material which will include monographs and primary sources. Meets Non-Western
Cultures requirement.
HIST/FYS-T 190 Literary and Intellectual Traditions
31714 RSTR 02:30P-03:45P
TR
DW1135
VT: FIRST ENCOUNTER IN NEW WORLD
Froysland H
This course will focus on an examination of some of the indigenous societies in the Americas prior to
1492, some of the expeditions of Europeans as they traveled to and through the Americas, and the
fascinating first encounters of peoples who were previously unknown to each other. Students will be
introduced to these cultures and peoples through the eyes and words of the conquerors and conquered
themselves. We will bring this era to life as we read accounts written by Christopher Columbus as he set
foot in the Caribbean islands, Juan Ponce de León in Florida, and Hernán Cortés and Bernal Díaz del
Castillo as they interacted with, and subsequently conquered, the Aztecs. We will also read some of the
few sources that survive that are written from the viewpoint of the conquered, such as the Mayan
Chilam Balam and the Aztec Florentine Codex. Through these documents in particular students will
analyze and gain an understanding of the fateful initial perceptions of each other and the subsequent
clash and conquest of civilizations. This is a First-Year Seminar that is restricted to first-year students.
Political Science
POLS-Y 343 Politics of International Development (3 CR)
4962 02:30P-03:45P
MW EA 1017
Lisoni C
An overview of contemporary politics in Third World societies. Major theories of political development
are emphasized along with an analysis of issues concerning militarism, political participation,
appropriate technology, and resource allocation. North-south relations are highlighted.
Spanish
SPAN-S275 Hispanic Culture and Conversation (3 CR)
3827 02:30P-03:45P
MW DW1170
Ramis A
Prerequisites: SPAN 204 or permission of instructor.
S275 serves as a bridge between the 200 and 300 level Spanish courses. It is an intensive introduction to
Hispanic culture through study and spirited dialogue of the literature, history, film, popular culture,
social contexts and political influences that inform and shape Latin America and Spain. This course
requires critical analysis and active participation in discussion of the diverse cultural aspects of the 21
countries of the Spanish-speaking world. The course is designed to support and enhance the oral skills
of the Intermediate language learner. S275 is conducted entirely in Spanish and also fulfills a university
general education requirement in Non-western culture. S275 is required for the major in Spanish.
SPAN-S 477 20TH Century Spanish American Prose Fiction (3 CR)
VT: Latin American Crime Fiction
31995 04:00P-05:15P
TR
DW1260
Fong-Morgan B
Prerequisites: SPAN-S 305, SPAN-S 306. Texts selected from important Spanish-American writers.
Historical background, literary movements, authors, cultural context. Close readings of representative
novelists and short story writers including established authors (Borges, Asturias, Arreola, Carpentier)
and promising young writers.
*note please double check the schedule of classes because times and locations of these courses
may change