Span 207 - Contemporary Latin America I

Costa Rica 06W – Group One

Dr. Cubillos

 

Course Syllabus

 

 

I. Course information

 

This course is an introduction to contemporary Latin America, its culture, its people, their way of life, and the issues confronting them.   Span207 is taught in English as part of the Winter Session Program in Costa Rica.

 

Note: The course will include three mandatory meetings prior to departure.

 

II. Course Description

 

Class will combine orientation meetings, readings, lectures, cultural excursions, review sessions, and exams.

 

III. Course Goals 

 

This course seeks to:

 

      1. Help students understand the historical roots of today’s Latin American society and culture.

      2. Develop observation and research skills required to understand the complexities of cross-cultural issues.

      3. Develop the skills necessary to cope with the loss of cues and the ambiguities encountered in a foreign culture.

      4. Promote personal growth through self-awareness and interaction with the Latin American culture.

 

 

IV. Required Materials:

 

  • Hansis, Randall (1998). The Latin Americans: Understanding their Legacy.  New York: McGraw Hill Publishers.

 

  • SPAN207 - Student Workbook (course packet available at the UD Bookstore).

 

Recommended:

 

  • Miranda, Carolina & Penland, Paige (2004).  Lonely Planet Costa Rica.  Lonely Planet Publications.

 

 

V. Grading and Evaluation:  

 

Grades will be calculated on the basis of the following components:

 

  1. Quizzes (4). (40%) There will be four quizzes on the readings, presentations, and cultural excursions of the program.

 

  1. Travel log. (30%) Students will hand in a detailed travel log with entries for all major visits and cultural excursions.  Although presentation and creativity will be taken into account (30 out of a possible 100 points), the bulk of the grade (70 points) will be based on the quality and completeness of the travel log entries. Note:  Entries should be cultural in nature.

 

  1. Homework and Participation. (15%) Students must complete all worksheets from their student packet in preparation for class and during excursions.  Worksheets will be collected on a regular basis.  Active involvement in all lectures, visits, and class discussions is expected.  Each unjustified absence at activities will reduce grade by 10%.  Three unjustified absences will be grounds for expulsion from program.

 

  1. Service Learning Report and Presentation. (15%)  Working in small groups (2-3 people max.) students will report on their service learning experiences of January 25 and January 31.  Written report must include: a) description of the assigned site and its social mission, b) description of the service learning activities carried out by the group while at the site, c) personal insights gained from the experience.  Oral report will take place on February 3.

 

Honors Requirements:  Students taking the Honors version of this course will be asked to write two 3-page papers in Spanish on cultural topics to be selected in consultation with the instructor (deadline for the selection of research topics: January 9, 2006).  Students will investigate these topics while in Costa Rica, by interviewing native speakers and eliciting opinions on the topic's cultural significance or social relevancy to the city, region, or country.  The students may also have to visit local sites of interest, preferably ones not visited as part of the culture course.   Papers are due on February 1, 2006, and they will be followed by a 15-minute conference with the instructor on the results of each investigation.

 

VI. Course Calendar*

 

* Note: Class schedule may be modified at the discretion of the instructor and according to the needs of the class

 

 

Date

Topic

Goals

Assignment

1-4

 

11 am: Tour of San José

 

1-5

The land

- To explore the connections between the Latin American environment (land, weather, etc.) and its cultural and historical development

 

2 pm: Dance class (Norma Solano)

Read:

Ch.1: Panoramas of place and time: Portrait of a region

1-6

Ethnicity: Native communities

- To explore the culture and history of the pre-Columbian peoples of Latin America

- To understand the legacy of these peoples on today’s Latin American society

 

2 pm: Lecture on Anthropology (Jade Museum)

Read:

Ch.2: Weaving an Ethnic Tapestry: Early Patterns

1-9

Ethnicity: Immigrants

- To explore patterns of immigration to Latin America since Columbus’ arrival

- To understand the legacy of the different immigrant communities in today’s Latin American Society

 

 

Read:

Ch.3: Weaving an Ethnic Tapestry: Immigrant Patterns

1-10

Quiz 1

2 pm: Dance class

Worksheets due

 

1-11

Family

- To explore the significance of the family unit in Latin American society

- To explore current dynamics of the family unit in Latin America

 

2 pm: Lecture on History (National Museum)

Read:

Ch.4: The World of Family

1-12

 

No class

 

2 pm: Dance class

 

1-13

 

No class

 

1-16

Religion

- To understand the evolution of spirituality in Latin America

- To explore current trends pertaining to religion and spirituality in Latin America

 

[2 pm: Service Learning Experience]

Read:

Ch.5: A House of Many Spirits

1-17

Wealth and social status

- To understand the importance and evolution of social classes in Latin America

- To explore current perspectives on wealth and social status

 

[2 pm: Service Learning Experience]

Read:

Ch.7: The Quest for Wealth: Modern Inequities

1-18

Quiz 2

2 pm: Lecture on Ecology at INBIO

Worksheets due

1-19

Economy and Ecology

- To learn about the economic evolution of Latin America

- To understand the economic challenges in Latin America today

- To explore the impact of economic development on the environment in Latin America

 

2 pm: Dance class

Read:

Ch.6: Ecology, Technology, and Empires

1-23

Politics

- To learn about the political history of Latin America

- To understand the political challenges in Latin America today

 

[2 pm: Service Learning Experience]

Read:

Ch.9: Authoritarian Legacies, Democratic Achievements

1-24

US-Latin American Relations

- To learn about the role played by the US in the history of Latin America

- To explore current issues pertaining to US-Latin American relations

 

2 pm: Café Britt

Read:

Ch.8: El Norte: The Neighbor to the North

1-25

Quiz 3

2 pm: Service Learning Experience

Worksheets due

1-26

The Arts

- To understand the evolution of this artistic manifestation in Latin America

- To develop an appreciation and interest in Latin American literature

 

2 pm: Lecture on Costa Rican Literature (U-Latina)

Read:

Ch.10: Landscapes Born of Dreams: The Arts

1-27

Travel Log

Time to work on Travel Log

 

1-31

 

2 pm: Service Learning Experience

 

2-1

 

2 pm: Lecture on Art (Art Museum)

 

2-2

Quiz 4

 

Worksheets due

2-3

 

Presentations on Service Learning Experience

Final project (Travel Log) due