Course Synopsis:

This course will introduce you to covers the main themes of Latin American history from the wars of independence in the early nineteenth century to the present. At the heart of this history are the struggles over what their politics, societies, economies, and cultures should be. A second theme is how the peoples and nations of Latin America have related to the rest of the world, a complex set of relations that are broadly covered by the term “globalization.” Class meetings will be devoted in part to lectures that explore these themes through case studies. There will also be space, both during class time and in the assignments, for students to develop and pursue their own interests in Latin American history. The course assumes no previous study of the area. It will be centred on the close reading, analysis, and interpretation of primary and secondary texts.

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

- Mid-term examination (20%)
- In-class writing assignments (25%)
- Short written assignments (35%)
- Final Examination (20%)

Texts and/or Resources Required:

John Chasteen. Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America (4th Edition, 2016)

Other primary and secondary sources, available through Courselink.

Please note:  This is a preliminary web course description only.  The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description.  The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.