GLS 230 - Latin America

1. Broadly survey the physical and cultural geography of Latin America and the Caribbean
   1. Discuss the term “Latin America.”
   2. Discuss the principal physical and climatic characteristics of this region.
   3. Discuss the ethnic, linguistic religious diversities of this region.
2. Broadly survey the pre-Columbian cultures and civilizations of Latin America and the Caribbean
   1. Locate geographically the great pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru
   2. Discuss the major features or characteristics of these civilizations.
   3. Discuss the wide variety of indigenous communities in this region prior to 1492
3. Survey the formation of new colonial empires and societies in Latin America and the Caribbean
   1. Discuss the economics of these societies
   2. Discuss the political systems in place in these colonial societies.
   3. Discuss the synthesis of colonial culture and civilization.
   4. Analyze the reasons for the successful independence movements.
   5. Discuss the growth of independent societies in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1825 to 1900
4. Survey the economic growth of Latin America and the Caribbean and its entrance into the global economy
   1. Discuss the entrance of the United States into this region economically and politically beginning in the late 19th century.
   2. Examine the differing world economic crises and their impact on this region
   3. Discuss the very different degrees of economic development among the many countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
   4. Analyze the closer integration of the American and Latin American and Caribbean economies from World War II to the present
5. Broadly survey the growth, distribution and migration of population in recent times in Latin America and the Caribbean
   1. Explain the demographic transition model
   2. Discuss the problems associated with rapid population growth in developing economies
   3. Discuss the changing patterns of population growth and distribution.
   4. Analyze the factors influencing population migration to urban areas, unsettled areas, and to the United States and other rich societies.
6. Broadly survey the evolution of the Latin American city
   1. Discuss the characteristics of the colonial city
   2. Discuss the transformation of the early modern city to the present.
   3. Explain the phenomenon of the primate city in contemporary Latin America.
7. Broadly survey the evolution of Mexico
   1. Explain its physical geography
   2. Explain its modern ethnic and demographic features
   3. Discuss its modern economic development in respect to industry, agriculture, trade and tourism
   4. Discuss its complex relationship with the United States
   5. Discuss the evolution of the political system in Mexico.
   6. Attempt an analysis of the Mexican national character
8. Survey the evolution of Cuba
   1. Discuss the American involvement in Cuba from 1898 to present.
   2. Analyze the reasons for Cuba’s instability and rise of Castroism
   3. Discuss Castro’s importance to Cuba and his impact on Latin America.
   4. Explain the successes and failures of the Marxist regime in Cuba.
9. Broadly survey Andean America of Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
   1. Discuss the similarities and differences in the political, social and economic evolution of these Andean republics
   2. Analyze the reasons for the poverty and instability in these Andean republics.
   3. Discuss the progress these states have made in democracy and modernization.
10. Broadly survey the evolution of Latin America’s giant, Brazil.
    1. Explain its physical geography and its climate
    2. Explain its modern ethnic demographic features
    3. Discuss its modern economic development in respect to industry, agriculture, trade, and tourism
    4. Discuss the future of Amazonia
    5. Discuss the evolution of Brazil’s political and economic system.
11. Broadly survey the evolution of the Argentine Republic
    1. Explain its physical geography of Argentina
    2. Discuss the economic and political development of Argentina from the early 1800?s to 1914
    3. Discuss the economic and political development of Argentina from 1914 to the present paying special attention to Peronism and military dictatorship.
    4. Analyze the reasons for the failure of Argentina to develop into one of the rich countries of the world.
12. Summarize the similarities and differences among the countries and sub regions of Latin America and the Caribbean in respect to:
    1. Economic modernization
    2. Democracy
    3. Human rights