This course explores the history of the vast region known as Latin America and the Caribbean. We will consider the main social, political, economic, and cultural developments in Latin America since the Independence Wars of the early 1800s, whenever possible in larger global context. While there is no unified "grand narrative" of Latin American history, an examination of the main historical themes of the region is the first step to understanding this dynamic, diverse, often puzzling area. To this end, we will engage many different perspectives – through scholarly interpretations of Latin American history; primary sources such as first-hand accounts, government documents, newspapers, art, and film. Emphasis will be placed on the postcolonial era (1810-present), and a review of the colonial and independence periods will be included. While the course readings focus primarily on Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba, we will also draw on comparative material from the Andean, Central American, and greater Caribbean regions.

This course fulfills Discovery/Historical Perspectives or Category III for History majors and is Writing Intensive. It is also crosslisted with Latin American Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.