Rebels and Revolution in Latin America

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject introduces students to the histories and cultures of Latin America through study of a number of significant issues and events. Beginning with an account of the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese in the hemisphere, the subject will briefly investigate the experiences of different peoples in the nations of Central and South America through the colonial period and into independence, with emphasis on the 20th century. Themes to be emphasised include social and political change, revolutions, human rights, immigration, race and attitudes to racial mixing, economic development and dependence, and culture. We discuss the Cuban Revolution, the 'dirty war' in Argentina, and the overthrow of Salvador Allende in Chile in 1973, among other topics. We pay particular attention to the role of the United States and the exercise of its enormous power in Central and South America in the 20th century.

Information Not Available

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.