COURSE SYLLABUS: CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF AMERICA

Location: Granada, Spain

Partner Institution: University of Granada

Course Title (English): Contemporary History of America

Course Title (Spanish): Historia contemporánea de América

Sessions Offered: Semester (Spring only)

Instructional In: Spanish

Classroom Contact Hours: 45 contact hours

College Credit (Semester Credit Hours): 3 credit hours

College Credit (Quarter Units): 4 quarter units

Prerequisites:  Advanced Spanish Level

Local Department: Hispanic Studies (CEH)

Course Code: CEH 352

Course Objectives

This course covers the historical development of the Latin-American countries from their independence up until the present-day. Through well-characterised periods the most relevant aspects of their nationality are studied: the formation of the state, the political evolution, social classes, economic areas, without forgetting questions such as the demographic boom, the foreign debt, or the indigenous problem. The objective is a better understanding of the causes and determining factors of contemporary Latin-America.

Program Schedule

Topic 1

• Independence
• Internal and external causes
• Phases of the independentist movement
• The thought of Simón Bolívar

Topic 2

• Tyranny and Militarism
• Origins and meaning
• The individualist regimes
• Towards the formation of the State

Topic 3

• Liberalism and Economic Expansion
• The liberal constitutions
• Political stability and economic growth
• Immigration and colonization of unoccupied areas

Topic 4

• Imperialism and Interventionism of the USA
• Determining factors of expansion
• Political, military and economic interventionism
• The Caribbean and Central-America in the orbit of the USA

Topic 5

• The Mexican Revolution
• Ideological analysis
• The constitution of 1917
• The institutionalized revolution

Topic 6

• The Crisis of 1929 THE CRISIS OF 1929 IN LATIN AMERICA
• Origins and development
• Economic and social consequences
• Political consequences

Topic 7

• Latin America From 1945 Onwards: The Political Question
• The political powers and the political parties
• The populisms and the military dictatorships
• The revolutionary systems

Topic 8

• The Structure of Contemporary Society
• Demographic growth
• Elite, middle classes and popular sectors
• The indigenous population

Topic 9

• The Contemporary Economic Structure
• Large estates and the agrarian reform
• Industrialization and foreign investment
• The foreign debt

Activities

The students must follow the teacher’s explanations in class, and participate in debates. They must also prepare group talks on one determined subject. Optionally they may do an end-of-term short piece of written work on at topic from the syllabus.

Course Evaluation

The final exam is compulsory. Also there will be a mid-term eliminatory exam.

Assessment criteria include attendance, class participation and written work which will make up 30% of the final mark. The students will complete an end-of-term exam which will make up 70% of the final mark.

Bibliography (Text and Materials)

• Manuel Lucena Salmoral (coord.): Historia de Iberoamérica, III (Edad contemporánea). Madrid, 1991.
• Miguel IZARD: América Latina, siglo XIX. Violencia, subdesarrollo y dependencia. Madrid, 1990.
• G. Vazquez/N. Martinez Diaz: Historia de América Latina. Madrid, Madrid, 1990.
• Carlos Malamud: Historia de América. Madrid, Alianza Editorial, 2005.

Contact Information:

SOL EDUCATION ABROAD

EMAIL: info@soleducation.com

WEB: www.soleducation.com

PHONE: 512.380.1003

FAX: 512.287.4886

MAIL: 503 Oakland Ave. Austin, TX 78703