ADHS 1791 History of Latin America and the Caribbean

This course introduces students to the dynamic history of Latin America and the Caribbean. Starting with an examination of the wide range of indigenous cultures that flourished before the arrival of Europeans and progressing through the twentieth century, we will explore the histories of imperial rule, wars of independence and decolonization, nation-state development, inter-regional connections and conflicts, and global political-economic structures. We will also investigate selected country histories in more detail in order to provide a deeper look at this amazingly diverse region. Along the way we will use the interpretive lenses of race, gender, social class, and religion to examine events, and we will hear directly from a range of individuals by reading historical documents. We will pay specific attention to the fundamentals of historical inquiry, including interpreting primary sources, putting them in historical context, and crafting historical arguments.