SPAN1023 – Introduction to the Cultures of Latin America
Category: Free Standing Elective Course (cannot be counted towards the
Major or Minor)
Year: Open to students in all years
Medium of Instruction: English
Semester: Offered in the second semester
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The main objective of the course is to offer an introduction to various aspects of Latin
American culture, history and society, including its indigenous civilizations, major historical
events, current socio-political development, geography and popular culture. It is aimed at
students with little or no previous knowledge of Latin American cultures. Topics discussed in
lectures include the development of Latin American civilizations before the arrival of the
Spanish to the sub-continent, the conquest, the development of a colonial system, the
national independence processes, recurrent historical events such as revolutions and
dictatorships in the region, contemporary socio-political trends and Chinese-Latin American
interconnections, as well as main Latin American contributions to art, particularly to literature,
cinema and music. Primary sources such as literary works and films will be extensively used,
and secondary sources such as academic essays and newspaper articles will help to study
and discuss the topics and generate discussion. This course is chronologically and
thematically designed. Guest speakers will be invited to contribute to the lectures in the field
of their specialization.
1.1 COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Appreciate differences between the largest Spanish-speaking cultures of Latin America

Describe some of the achievements and characteristics of pre-Columbian civilizations

Identify key historical events and figures of Latin America

Describe some contemporary socio-political processes

Identify major characteristics of Spanish-speaking societies regarding religion, music
and food

Discuss the representation of some historical and contemporary events and figures in
cinema and literature
1

Discuss some aspects of China-Latin American connections

Develop an appreciation for Latin American cultures.
1.2 PRE-REQUISITES
None.
1.3 ASSESSMENT
This course is graded on the basis of continuous assessment and is as follows:
1.
2.
3.
A mid-term test (20%)
A group discussion on Moodle on a topic related to the course (30%)
In-class end of semester test (50%).
2. COURSE CONTENTS
The course has 2 contact hours per week. Attendance is expected to all classes and nonattendance may affect students’ final grade.
There is no textbook for this course, all materials will be provided by the teacher in the
classroom or via the Moodle platform. The course has an important component of work
outside the classroom which serves as either preparation for the next class or reflection
about a topic previously seen in class. Topics covered in the course are as follows:
COURSE TOPICS
1
Geography and ethnicity in Latin America
Pre-Columbian cultures: Mayans, Incas and Aztecs: social organization,
architecture, and narratives on them and by themselves
2
Narratives on the "discovery" and conquest of Latin America.
3
Colonization and the road to independence
4
Religion in Latin America: major religions and religious syncretism
5
Latin American revolutions and their legacy: Mexico and Cuba
6
Latin American Music: Mariachis, conga and tango
7
160 years of Sino-Latin American relations: Coolies, Maoism, commerce and
language-cultural centres
8
Artistic Manifestations I
Literature: Esteban Echeverría’s The Slaughterhouse (Argentina, 1838-1840)
Cinema: Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Amores perros (México, 2000)
2
9
Artistic Manifestations II
Literature in the 1960s-1970s: The “boom” and magic realism
10
Cuisine from Mexico and Colombia
11
Politics: The “Pink Tide” in Latin America
3