SPA 332: Latin American Civilization and Culture
(Saved as “SPA 332 Latin American Civ. & Culture Syllabus updated August 2012”)
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 311 (Conversation & Composition I) or its equivalent
Instructor: _______________; email: _______ / tel UNIVERSAL: 318-2904 or 312-4902
Class Days & Times:
Course Description
The primary purpose of this course is to explore the history of cultural inheritance of Latin American countries from preColumbian times to the present. Due to the fact that the course is taught in Mexico, we will focus primarily on Mexican
history, although students will be exposed to common historical developments and cultural characteristics shared
throughout Latin America.
This course will focus on the history of Latin American cultures and civilization from pre-Columbian times to the present,
starting from the premise that we need to know where we come from in order to know where we are and where we are going.
Particular emphasis will be placed on contemporary cultural issues and cultural media, including murals and other visual arts,
theatre, dance, music, and film.
The course structure will follow the structure provided by Carlos Fuentes in his book The Buried Mirror: Reflections on Spain
and the New World (1992), which will serve as the primary written text. Students may also watch video excerpts of the fivepart television series “The Buried Mirror” and other relevant films.
Since the course will be taught in Mexico, we have rich opportunities to enhance learning from text books and films by
listening to guest lectures by Mexican historians and anthropologists and participating in excursions to museums,
archeological sites, historical monuments, and local cultural events, as well as talking directly with many Mexicans and other
Latin Americans from diverse backgrounds with regard to race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, religion, gender, and sexual
orientation. Students will also be asked to read Mexican newspaper articles and analyze them with regards to themes
discussed in this course.
*This course counts toward the major or minor in Spanish at Augsburg College.
Course-related excursions, cultural events, & guest lectures may include the following:
 Excursion to the Palacio de Cortez museum and tour of the Diego Rivera mural ““The History of Morelos, Conquest, &
Revolution”
 Guest performance and class with Mexicans musicians singing corridos or ballads from the period of the Mexican
revolution and other folks songs
 Excursion to the Museo Los Muros museum of murals
 Music and/or theatre performances regarding contemporary cultural issues
 Films about Mexican history and contemporary Latin American movies
Required Texts and Other Recommended Materials (to order 6 weeks in advance!)
1. Text: Fuentes, Carlos. El espejo enterrado. Aguilar, Altea, Taurus, Alfaguara, S.A. de C., 1998.
2. Workbook: Curland, David J., Juan Armando Epple, and Jim Heinrich. Workbook to accompany El espejo
enterrado. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 1st edition, 1993/1994.
3. *Libro de sinónimos y antónimos para estudiantes. Barrons. ISBN 0764114476
4. *Spanish/English dictionary
* = Highly recommended but not required
You should order these books through your local bookstore or over the Internet. Be sure to place your orders six
weeks in advance.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
1. Discuss the relationship between history and culture, identifying some of the ways in which history shapes cultural values,
norms, and behaviors and describing the ways in which culture shapes one’s understanding of history.
2. Analyze the ways in which different historical time periods are portrayed in the visual arts, music, theatre, dance,
architecture, literature, and popular culture.
3. Identify important aspects of pre-Columbian civilizations in Latin America.
4. Provide examples of ways in which pre-Columbian cultures have survived and continue to have an impact on the cultures
of Mexico.
5. Discuss the legacy of the Spanish conquest and colonial period.
6. Identify important figures, dates, and places in Latin American history.
7. Describe the cultural inheritance of Latin American countries.
8. Analyze Mexican and other Latin American newspaper articles regarding topics related to this course.
9. Compare and contrast Carlos Fuentes’ perspectives on Latin American history and culture with those of guest speakers,
host families, and others with whom they interact in Mexico.
10. Critically reflect upon their own cultural perspectives and the ways these influence their understanding of history.
Course Design
Unit I
Unit II
Unit III
Unit IV
Unit V
The Pre-Columbian Period & the Spanish Conquest (Fuentes, Parts I & II)
The Colonial Period: Castes, Mestizje, & Colonial Art (Fuentes, Part III)
Independence & the Aftermath (Fuentes, Part IV)
Dictatorships, Revolutions, & the Search for Democracy (Fuentes, Part V)
Key Issues in Contemporary Latin American History & Culture (Fuentes, Part VI)
Course Requirements (100%)
20%
20%
10 %
30%
20 %
Active, punctual participation in class, including required speakers, lab groups, and excursions, and homework.
(See details below.)
Ten homework assignments (2 % of the final course grade per assignment).
One essay analyzing an assigned topic related to Latin American civilization and culture. Each essay is worth 10 % of
the final course grade.
Three short tests. Each test is worth 10 % of the final course grade.
A final project with an oral presentation on a specific aspect of Latin American civilization and culture. The project is
worth 15 points and the presentation is worth 5 % of the final course grade.
Grading Criteria for Class Participation:
 Full participation involves speaking only Spanish in class, completing assignments on time, coming to class prepared and
on time, participating in all class activities with enthusiasm and interest, collaborating with the instructor and other
students (as applicable), and demonstrated effort at improving Spanish abilities.
 Class participation also includes attending and actively participating in all speakers, “lab groups” about cultural issues,
and excursions.
 If you have to miss a class for any reason (including illness), you must call the Spanish director Irma Salazar before class
at 318-2910. Each unexcused absence will affect your class participation grade. Excused absences include religious
holidays and illnesses documented by a doctor’s note.
Grading Criteria for Essays
 Structure:
 Content:
 Grammar:
Introduction; organization, sequence, and development of ideas; and conclusion
Clarity and complexity of ideas
Correct use of grammar
Grading Criteria for Oral Presentations
 Structure:
Introduction; organization, sequence, and development of ideas; and conclusion
 Content:
Clarity and complexity of ideas
 Grammar:
Correct use of grammar
 Oral Expression:
Pronunciation; articulation; volume; and tone
 Written Outline:
Organization of ideas and main points
Oral presentations are not considered complete (and will be graded down significantly) if they are not accompanied by an
outline.
Grading Scale
Grade Number
# of Points
Percentage
93-100 %
Achieves highest standards of excellence
A-/B+ 3.5
B
3.0
B-/C+ 2.5
88-92 points
83-87 points
78-82 points
88-92 %
88-92 %
78-82 %
Achieves above basic course standards
73-77 points
68-72 points
73-77 %
68-72 %
Meets basic standards for the course (PASS)
(NO PASS)
A
4.0
C
2.0 (PASS)
C-/D+ 1.5
93-100 points
Augsburg College Definition
D
1.0
63-67 points
63-67 %
Performance below basic course standards
D0.5
60-62 points
60-62 %
F
0.0
Under 60 points
Under 60 %
Unacceptable performance (no course credit)
Please note: Students must achieve a minimum grade of 2.0 in order to receive a PASS if they take the course on a
Pass/No Credit basis.