HIST 2440History of Latin America

Regent’s College, 2008

Introduction

• Syllabus– Green course– Inter-disciplinary course (more next week)– Blog: karemroitman.blogspot.com– Course structure and themes– Presentations– Your Challenge– Question?

Where is Latin America

• Globally– Equator– Regions– ‘Neighbours’

Latin American Geography• Amazon River • Orinoco River• Pacific Ocean• Atlantic Ocean• Andes• Atacama desert• Sonoran desert• Gulf of Mexico• Brazilian Highlands• Panama Canal• Tierra del fuego• Sierra Madre Oriental/Occidental• Lake Titicaca• Rio Grande• ‘Highlands’

• The effects of geography– Social– Political– Economic

• Human Geography

‘Immigrants’

‘Wealth of Latin America’

• Human and physical resources

• Diversity– Evidence in different artistic realms

Back to the Original Question:

WHAT/WHO is Latin America(n)??

Thus, how can we define Latin America?

(and what implications would our different definitions have?)

Is our definition of Latin America based on our historical understanding?

Importance of studying Latin America

• The role of university students

• Creating history

• Inter-disciplinary approach

• The challenge

• Questions?

Student Introductions

• Name• Course• Major, year, other courses taken• Why are you taking this course?• Have you been to Latin America?• ‘I Cantinflas give Karem Roitman

permission to post my grades on-line under the code name/number _______ (ex. Quinceaniera)