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Catalog Description

In order to comprehend events in Latin America today, it is imperative that we North Americans know something about the historical development of the region.  This seminar will focus on the imposition and development of Spanish colonialism in the Americas.  The course will examine several major questions including:  How did the Spanish conquer and control native American populations?  What impact did Spanish economic and political policies have on Amerindian, African, and European populations?  Did Spain benefit from its American possessions?  Class discussions will constitute a major part of each meeting and thus of the final grade.  Each seminar member will write a 15-20 page research paper.
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Grading

Because we meet only once a week, attendance at all classes is mandatory.  (Each student is allowed one excused absence during the semester.  Each additional absence will lower your final grade by 10%.)  Because this is a seminar, participation is required.  Using primary sources, each member of the seminar will write a 15-20 page research paper on a specific aspect of colonial Latin America.  You will submit your thesis statement, outline, and bibliography by March 7.   At the beginning of each class, you will turn in an outline of your notes (not the notes themselves) on the readings for that class.  Our last two meetings will be devoted to oral presentations concerning each person's research.  In addition, each member of the seminar will be responsible for leading a discussion of one of the required readings.  Grade:  Participation (including weekly outlines of notes, participation in class discussions, and the writing/editing segment of each meeting)-70 %; paper-30%.  I will assign additional readings to graduate students.

Class Schedule

Feb 8                Introduction

Feb 15              Amerindians and Europeans Before 1492
                        Readings:  Burkholder, Chpt 1 and Zorita, Preface-p.87.

Feb 22              The Native Peoples of New Spain: Through European Eyes?
                         Readings: Zorita, p. 88-287.

Feb 29              The Age of Conquest
                         Readings: Burkholder, Chpt 2 and Lockhart, Chpts 1-6.

Mar 7               Thesis Statement, Outline, and Bibliography due in my mailbox by 4 PM.  No regular class meeting.

Mar 14              Europeans and Africans in the Americas
                         Readings: Lockhart, Chpts 7-12.

Mar 21              Epidemic Disease and the Amerindian Population
                         Readings: Burkholder, Chpts 4-5 and Cook, Chpts 1-2.

Mar 28              Spring Break

Apr 4                Demographic Collapse
                         Readings:  Cook, Chpts 3-5 and Conclusion

Apr 11              Colonial Culture
                         Readings: Burkholder, Chpt 6 and Lipsett-Rivera, all.

Apr 18              Work on Papers.  No regular class meeting.

Apr 25              Imperial Crisis
                         Readings: Burkholder, Chpts 7-8 and Kinsbruner, Preface-Chpt 3.

May 2              The End of the Colonial Era
                        Readings: Kinsbruner, Chpts 4-8.

May 9             Presentations of research findings

May 16            Presentations of research findings/ PAPERS DUE

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Class Format

This is not a lecture course.  Because this is a seminar, and because we meet only once a week, participation is required.

Project Assignments

1. Weekly notes on all reading assignments
2. Lead a discussion of the readings
3. Thesis Statement
4. 2-3 page paper proposal and bibliography
5. 15-20 page research paper
6. Oral presentation
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Advice for Success

1. Attendance is mandatory.

2. Be prepared to discuss the assigned readings.

3. Participate in weekly discussions.

4. Ask questions.

5. Turn in all written work on time.
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Policy on Student Class Attendance

Attendance is mandatory.  Each student is allowed one excused absence during the semester.  Each additional absence will lower your final grade by 10%.
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