Course: Contemporary Latin America

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Course title Contemporary Latin America
Course code KHI/SLA
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Perutka Lukáš, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Peřinová Markéta
Course content
1 - Introduction, geography, and regions. Eduardo Galeano and Alfred Crosby. 2 - Pre-Colombian and Colonial Latin America 3 - Latin America in the 19th century 4 - Contemporary Mexico 5 - Turbulent Central America 6 - Revolutionary Caribbean 7 - Different Brazil 8 - Andean states 9 - Infamous dictatorships of Argentina and Chile 10 - Economic (non)development of Latin America 11 - Unique society of Latin America 12 - In Eagle's talons: Latin America and the United States 13 - Between Chinese dragon and European Union Recommended literature: BULMER-THOMAS, Victor, The Economic history of Latin America since independence, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003. CHALUPA, Jiří, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Praha: Lidové noviny 1999. KLÍMA, Jan, Dějiny Brazílie, Praha: Lidové noviny, 1998. KNIPPERS BLACK, Jan, Latin America, Its Problems and Its Promise, New York: Avalon Publishing, 2010. OPATRNÝ, Josef, Amerika v proměnách století, Praha 1998. OPATRNÝ, Josef, Kuba, Praha: Libri, 2002. OPATRNÝ, Josef, Mexiko, Praha: Libri, 2004. OPATRNÝ, Josef, Panama, Praha: Libri, 2004. POLIŠENSKÝ, Josef a kol., Dějiny Latinské Ameriky, Praha: Svoboda, 1979. ROEDL, Bohumír, Peru, Praha: Libri, 2003. SKIDMORE, Thomas E., Modern Latin America, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. SMITH, Peter H., Talons of the Eagle. Latin America, the United States and the World, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. The Cambridge History of Latin America, III-V (ed. Leslie Bethell), Cambridge: CUP, 1985-1986.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
Learning outcomes
The optional course of the Contemporary Latin American will be focused mainly of some of the important patterns regarding this part of the world - history, economy, social structures and international relations. Also, every important state or region will be presented in comparison to others. In case of online classes, the link is here: Lukas Perutka is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Současná Latinská Amerika Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime Join Zoom Meeting https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/97251613852 Meeting ID: 972 5161 3852
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to use analysis to identify and evaluate the processes of political evolution and transformation of the socioeconomic structures that are characteristic for the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. Students should be able to analyze local problems not as a series of facts, instead they should be able to interpret every fact in a broader and wider context of the globalized world of today. Students will also learn how to work individually and excursive thinking. Just like according to Rene Descartes: Cogito ergo sum.
Prerequisites
The purpose of this course is to present historical, social and economic perspective, introducing students to the analysis of the most important patterns of the Region of Latin America and the Caribbean. No previous knowledge required as one of the purposes is also to widen and broaden the student's knowledge from high school or college. The focus will be mainly on the wider context of Latin America and not so much on facts.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam

The final exam is going to be an oral discussion with the teacher. The will receive two questions: first one will be based on literature - the student should read at least three books on different topics regarding Latin America. He brings with him the list to the exam and the teacher selects one. The second one will be based on one topic from the program of the course (approx. 20 in total). The student will ballot for this question.
Recommended literature


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA22) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA21) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA24) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA20) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA19) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA21) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): History (2019) Category: History courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): History (2019) Category: History courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA23) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA22) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA24) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA20) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA19) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): History (2019) Category: History courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): History (2012) Category: History courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Education Study plan (Version): Teaching History for Secondary Schools and Higher Primary Schools (NA23) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -