Modern Latin America (Autumn)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC1100 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 1 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- MLAC1100
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module aims to introduce students to the main patterns of Latin American political, economic and social history between the late colonial period and the mid-to-late 20th century, and to gives students a grounding in the major issues, themes and forces that have shaped the societies of the region. The year-long 20 credit version of this module (MLAC1098) consists of two parts: one semester on Spanish America and one semester on Brazil. The region covered in this 10 credit module is staff dependent but should normally cover Spanish America in the Autumn semester (MLAC1100) and Brazil in the Spring semester (MLAC1070). For the former, the history of Spanish America is traced through an overview of the patterns of change and development of the region. Through regional case studies, students examine the general patterns of instability, the processes of ‘modernisation’, the growing and unequal relationship with the United States, and the drift towards political radicalism from the 1920s, through the depression and populism, to the Cuban Revolution and beyond) and then through three case studies: Argentina, Mexico and Cuba. The semester covering the history of Brazil begins with the eighteenth-century and the causes of Independence, moves through the nineteenth-century by examining slavery and abolition, then national party politics and social protests of the First Republic, the Vargas Era, military rule and then the transition to democracy in the twentieth century.
Target Students
Only available for MLB (R9N1) and Exchange students.
Classes
1 x 1.5 hour lecture per week, plus 4 x 1 hour seminars. One semester of MLAC1098, DO NOT TIMETABLE. For registration by MLB (R9N1) and mobility students ONLY. The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook and in module handbooks.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework 1: 1 x 2000 word essay
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To introduce students to the main patterns of Latin American political, economic and social history between Independence and the end of the twentieth century; to develop this understanding through a focus on significant country examples; to enable students to develop their knowledge of the region through their own guided research. Throughout the module, attention will be drawn to subject-specific terminology, different historical perspectives and approaches as well as interpretations of historical events. Students will be encouraged to appreciate and learn how to evaluate the interaction between mainstream political history and social history - that is, between major events and their generally elite protagonists in official positions of power, and the broader social groups that both contributed to and were affected by political change. Students are encouraged to develop a critical approach to the study of history through an examination of different texts and textual evidence and to develop tools for comparative analysis. Through seminar work and written assessments students will learn how to develop and sustain a coherent intellectual argument.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding Students will (A2) acquire an in-depth awareness of the cultural, historical and political contexts appropriate to the Hispanic/Lusophone culture(s) addressed,
(A3) develop an appreciation of the relationship between their own cultural, historical and social backgrounds and those of those aspects of the Hispanic/Lusophone worlds to which they are exposed;
(A4) handle with assurance a range of critical and analytical stratagems and tools in their approach to these areas.
2. Intellectual Skills
Students are given the tools with which to (B1) engage in informed discussion of historical material, archive texts and/or other cultural/sociological documentation from Hispanic/Lusophone cultures;
(B2) demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical and socio-political contexts of Hispanic/Lusophone cultures;
(B4) deploy effectively a range of critical stratagems and approaches in their analytical work.
3. Professional/practical skills The training offered during the course of the Hispanic Studies elements of the degree allows students to (C3) undertake relevant research and construct a reasoned argument on a topic/issue in English either orally or in writing.
4. Transferable/key skills Students are provided with the training to be able to demonstrate (D3) the ability to construct and defend a coherent and well-researched argument in English;
(D4) appropriate preparation skills in relation to written documents, oral presentation, illustrations and handouts and the delivery of oral presentations;
(D5) sufficient cross-cultural understanding to be able to negotiate effectively between cultures, particularly Hispanic/Lusophone cultures and their own culture of origin; (D6) general research skills; (D7) time-management, prioritising and general organisational skills.
(D6) general research skills;
(D7) time-management, prioritising and general organisational skills.