METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
COURSE TITLE INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CULTURE
COURSE PREFIX AND NO.
LEC
4.5
LAB 0
CREDIT HOURS
4.5
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a survey of the history and culture of Latin American from ancient history to the present. Political,
economic, social and cultural factors, will be considered, as well as the interaction between Latin America and the
larger society. It will include an examination of the following topics: The Inca, Maya, and Aztec Civilizations, the
European Conquest, the growth and consolidation of the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, race and slavery, regional
unrest and revolt, the Bourbon Reforms, the independence movements, the emergence of the Latin American
republics, the advent of liberalism, revolution, state economies, U.S.-Latin American politics, the role religion, late
20th Century revolutionary movements, race and identity, and the rise of neo-liberalism. Additional focus will be on
popular culture, criminality, national identity, art, and indigenous rights.
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COURSE PREREQUISITES:
None
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RATIONALE:
All students need to have a deeper awareness of the historical evolution of Latin American and its relation to the
United States. The struggles and achievements of Latin America, have a major relationship to the Hispanic
experience in the U.S. The course will address the need for understanding between Hispanics, employers, and
co-workers here in Omaha.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS and/or MATERIALS:
Title:
A History of Latin America
Edition:
Seventh
Author:
Benjamin Keen and Keith Haynes
Publisher:
Houghton Mifflin
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Attached course outline written by:
Dr. James Van Arsdall
Date:
Reviewed/Revised by:
Date:
Effective quarter of course outline:
Date:
Dean
Date:
M. Jane Franklin
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES
TITLE:
LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
PREFIX/NO.
HIST
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
Identify and analyze the major themes in Latin American History and Culture.
2.
Identify and analyze the major time periods in Latin American history
3.
Identify and explain the relationship of Latin American history and culture to the Hispanic environment in
the United States.
4.
Evaluate major themes and time periods to make informed judgments on contemporary American life.
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TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to identify and know the significance of the
following::
Introduction: The Geographical Background of Latin American History – Major Emphasis

I. The Colonial Heritage of Latin America Introduction – Major Emphasis

1. Ancient America
Environment and Culture in Ancient America
The Maya of Central America
The Aztecs of Mexico
The Incas of Peru

2. The Hispanic Background
Spain's Medieval Heritage
The Spain of Ferdinand and Isabella
The Hapsburg Era: Triumph and Tragedy

3. The Conquest of America
The Great Voyages
The Conquest of Mexico
The Conquest of Peru
How a Handful of Spaniards Won Two Empires
The Quest for El Dorado

4. The Economic Foundations of Colonial Life Major Emphasis
Tribute and Labor in the Spanish Colonies
The Colonial Economy
Commerce, Smuggling, and Piracy

5. State, Church, and Society Major Emphasis
Political Institutions of the Spanish Empire
The Church in the Indies
The Structure of Class and Caste

6. Colonial Brazil
The Beginning of Colonial Brazil
Government and Church
Masters and Slaves

7. The Bourbon Reforms and Spanish America
Reform and Recovery
Colonial Culture and the Enlightenment
Creole Nationalism
Colonial Society in Transition, 1750-1810: An Overview
The Revolt of the Masses

8. The Independence of Latin America Major Emphasis
Background of the Wars of Independence
The Liberation of South America
Mexico's Road to Independence
Latin American Independence: A Reckoning

II. Latin America in the Nineteenth Century Introduction – Major Emphasis

9. Dictators and Revolutions Major Emphasis
The Fruits of Independence
Mexico
Argentina
Chile
Brazil
Peru
Cuba
United Provinces of Central America
Gran Colombia

10. The Triumph of Neocolonialism Major Emphasis
The New Colonialism
Mexican Politics and Economy
Argentine Politics and Economy
Chilean Politics and Economy
Brazilian Politics and Economy
Peruvian Politics and Economy
Central American Politics and Economy
Venezuelan Politics and Economy
Colombian Politics and Economy

11. Society and Culture in the Nineteenth Century Major Emphasis
How New Was the New Society?
The Passing of the Society of Castes
The Process of Modernization
The Romantic Revolt
Literature and Social Change, 1880-1910
The Romantic Revolt Continued: Ecuador and Peru

III. Latin America Since 1900 Introduction – Major Emphasis

12. The Mexican Revolution--and After Major Emphasis
The Great Revolution, 1910-1920
Reconstructing the State: Rule of the Millionaire Socialists
Cárdenas and the Populist Interlude
The Big Bourgeoisie in Power, 1940-1976: Erosion of Reform
Deconstructing the State: Neoliberalism and the Second Conquest of Mexico,
1977-2003

13. Argentina: The Failure of Democracy
The Export Economy
Argentine Society
The Radical Era, 1916-1930
The "Infamous Decade," 1930-1943: The Conservative Restoration
The Perón Era, 1943-1955
The Shadow of Perón, 1955-1973
Military Dictatorship, 1974-1983
Return to Democracy and the Death of Peronismo

14. The Chilean Way
Foreign Dependency and the Parliamentary Republic, 1891-1920
Alessandri and the Rise of Populism, 1920-1970
The Chilean Road to Socialism, 1970-1973
Neoliberalism and Democratic Constraints, 1973-2003

15. Republican Brazil
Decline and Fall of the Old Republic, 1914-1930
Vargas and the Bourgeois Revolution, 1930-1954
Reform and Reaction, 1954-1964
Brazil's "Colonial Fascism"
The Transition to Democracy, 1983-2003: "The New Republic"

16. Storm over the Andes: The Struggle for Land and Development
Three Andean Revolutions
Neocolonial Peru: The English and North American Connections, 1883-1968
The Rise and Fall of the Peruvian Revolution, 1968-2003

17. The Cuban Revolution Major Emphasis
Independence and the Spanish-Cuban-American War
Dependent Development and Popular Struggle, 1902-1953
The Revolution: The Odyssey of Fidel Castro
The Revolution in Power: 1959-2003

18. Revolution and Counterrevolution in Central America: Twilight of the Tyrants? Major Emphasis
Guatemala
Nicaragua
El Salvador

19. Lands of Bolívar: Venezuela and Colombia in the Twentieth Century
Venezuela in the Early Twentieth Century, 1908-1958
Venezuela's Representative Democracy, 1958-2003
Colombia in the Twentieth Century

20. The Two Americas: United States-Latin American Relations Major Emphasis
U.S. Policy Objectives
Prelude to Empire, 1810-1897
An Imperial Power, 1898-1945
Defending the Empire and Capitalism, 1945-1981
The Return to "Gunboat Diplomacy," 1981-2003
Toward a New World Order?

21. Latin American Society in Transition Major Emphasis
Economic Problems: A Permanent Latin American Crisis?
Social Problems
The New Class Structure
Attitudes and Mentalities: Change and Resistance to Change
The Flowering of Latin American Culture
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION
Upon successful completion of the objectives of this course, the student will have moved from the
knowledge through the evaluation levels of cognition as related to: 1) the major events and time
periods in Latin America History; and 2) contemporary affairs in the light of these historical forces.
INTRODUCTION TO BLACK HISTORY -- HIS 110
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
1.
Identify and analyze the major themes
in Latin American history.
Required test (i.e., written, oral, open book,
take home, multiple choice), and/or report
(i.e., written, oral, self report), and/or
discussion (i.e., in-class, outside of class,
field).
2.
Identify and analyze the major time
periods in Latin American history
Required test (i.e., written, oral, open book,
take home, multiple choice), and/or report
(i.e., written, oral, self report), and/or
discussion (i.e., in-class, outside of class,
field).
3.
Identify and explain the struggle
between anti-racism and racism in
Latin American history
Required test (i.e., written, oral, open book,
take home, multiple choice), and/or report
(i.e., written, oral, self report), and/or
discussion (i.e., in-class, outside of class,
field).
4.
Evaluate major themes and time
periods in order to make informed
judgments on contemporary
American life.
Required test (i.e., written, oral, open book,
take home, multiple choice), and/or report
(i.e., written, oral, self report), and/or project
(i.e., in-class, outside of class,
vocational/career), and/or discussion (i.e., inclass, outside of class, field).