Course Information

This course involves an overview of the peoples and cultural institutions of Latin America. Selected topics are examined in detail, such as the pre-Columbian legacies,the African experience, the wars of independeence, dictatorships and revolutions. The art and rituals of the aboriginal peoples and the Africans, and their influence on Latin American art and culture, will be examined together with the imported ideologies from Europe and the United States.

Attendance Policies: You are responsible for all material presented in class, including announcements about course procedures. Exams, quizzes and homework often include questions on material presented only in class, such as video programs. More than three absences will adversely affect your grade. Six absences will signify failure in the course.

Grading Criteria: There will be two exams. Each exam is worth 30% of your grade. Exam dates will be announced in class.
Announced and unannounced quizzes will be given on an irregular basis. Absence from class will not excuse missing a quiz. Quizzes will total 10% of the final grade.

Grades will be based on the following criteria:

Midterm: 30%; Final: 30%; 2 Museum Reports @15%: 30%;
Quizzes and class participation: 10%