HIST 253 - Latin American Civilizations

Credit Hours: 4
This course will introduce students to the region and history of Latin America, beginning with pre-contact civilizations and closing with present day issues/events. Students will learn the particular themes and issues related to Spanish and Portuguese colonization and rule of the Americas, understand how those issues changed (and some remained the same) after independence (ca. 1820), discuss some of the more general theoretical questions related to Latin America’s position in the World System, and learn to see present-day Latin America with an eye for the way it is shaped by its colonial past and ‘dependent’ present.

Course Satisfies: Core Exploration Cultural Literacy requirement.