Latin America in the Independence Era: American Indians and Nations (366-0-20)

Instructors

Paul Ramirez
847/491-7444
Harris Hall Room 233

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L06: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

A thematic survey of the political, cultural, ideological, and economic foundations of Latin American countries with a focus on Indigenous histories, and what some contemporaries called "the Indian problem." Rather than resolve longstanding debates about race, citizenship, and nation, independence from Spain only intensified them. Would people of Native American descent enjoy full citizenship in the new nation-states? What role would American civilizations, cultures, symbols, and languages play in forging national identities? The implications of these questions endure and in many ways are fundamental to the historical development of modern nation-states around the globe. History 260-1 or 260-2 or an equivalent introduction to the history of Latin America is encouraged but not required.

Registration Requirements

Attendance at first class mandatory.

Learning Objectives

(1) Introduce students to methods of historical study; (2) Understand the challenges of primary source analysis; (3) Prepare students with the analytical skills to make a persuasive and original argument from primary and secondary sources; (4) Develop written and oral communication skills; (5) Assess the ways scholars have studied nation-building and liberalism

Evaluation Method

Position papers 20%; Class participation 30%; Midterm exam 25%; Oral exam 25%

Class Notes

History Major Concentration(s): Americas
History Minor Concentration(s): Latin America

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is restricted to History Majors and Minors only until the end of pre-registration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites (if any)