HUM 220 Resisting Empire: Latin American Revolutions

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Focuses on the culture, ideas, and actions that typify revolutionary movements in Latin America since the dawning of the twentieth century. Examines a Latin American emphasis against the backdrop of empire as manifested in the actions of local elites, first-world countries-especially the United States-and worldwide capitalist structures.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Use historical and current background information on the resistance to adopt a perspective that reflects Latin American sentiments.
Apply critical thinking towards a deeper understanding of their own philosophical perspective on resistance, empire and revolution.
Reflect a much greater awareness of the events, actors, culture, and geography which have been at the center of Latin American revolutionary systems during the twentieth century.
Create and assemble material drawn from artistic, literary, visual, and musical sources that relate to expressions of dissent and agreement.
Discuss with the role of women in Latin American revolutionary situations.
Analyze religion-based Latin American expressions of relationship to the revolutionary impulse.
Write and talk about issues of revolution in Latin America.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Cultural Literacy Outcomes:

Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.

Content Outline

Revolution.
- The philosophical background
- Marx
- Structuralism and Relativity
- Catholicism and other Christian influences
- Women and revolution.
- Oregon vs. south of the Río Grande
Historical Background, Empire and the Backbone of Resistance
- Indigenous peoples
- The conquest
- Elite rule, repression and resistance
- Rise of the USA and capitalist structures
Mexican Revolution
- Background and events
- Elements of resistance
  - Economics
  - Culture and art
  - Las soldaderas
  - Veracruz, Villa and the USA
- Outcomes 1920-1956, featuring Guatemala 1954
Cuba
- Background and events
- Capitalism and Marx
- The culture of revolution
The Spread of Dissent and Counterrevolution
- Central America
  - The church
  - Monoculture and change
- The Southern cone and the old regime’s response
- Perú, poverty and Sendero Luminoso
Revolution in the 21st Century
- Colombia
- Chávez, Morales and Fidel
- Salem and the world