Bananas, Baseball, and Borders: Latin America and the United States

Catalog description

This course provides a history of interactions between the United States and Latin America, a part of the world that sends more people to the U.S. than any other macro-region. We will literally discuss bananas, baseball and borders; the course title also alludes to the key themes that we will study: transnational economies, cultural interactions, and geopolitics. We will consider not only important differences between U.S. and Latin American cultures and societies, but also how they have influenced one another. The course uses discussion and written analysis of historical documents and scholarship to encourage students to think about how past actors perceived the world and also draws on non-English language sources (including film and music w/ translations). By examining historical change from a multiplicity of perspectives, the course challenges static stereotypes and monochrome views of "Latin America." For example: We explore the role of Indigenous actors in the "U.S.-Mexico" war and the role of Cubans in the "Spanish-American War." We will also use primary sources to examine diverse domestic perspectives on U.S. government policies. Mondays and Wednesdays will feature interactive lectures, videos and in-class activities; Fridays will be devoted to student-driven discussion. Evaluation will be based on weekly takeaway assignments, two analytical papers, micro-research projects, and class participation. This course meets the Dietrich Gen Ed "Intercultural and Global Inquiry" requirement. Course Website: https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/history/