Latin American History

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to Latin American history. As such, the cultural, economic, political, and religious characteristics of the region will be discussed. The sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries are the principal concern. The topics include the indigenous civilizations of the Americas; the motives for, and the methods and results of, the Iberian conquest and colonization; the struggle for independence from Spain; the national period; legacy from the past and new dependency; and twentieth century Latin America. Though the emphasis will be on the Spanish heritage, the course will include a brief examination of the Brazilian experience.