HIST 359

Historical Knowledge of Inter-American Relations

Students will gain an understanding of the major historiographical schools of thought in Inter-American relations

Historical Knowledge of an Individual

Students will gain an in-depth understanding of at least one major figure in Inter-American relations each term the class is taught by way of reading primary sources and writing about the legacy of that individual.

Research Literature

Students will be exposed to a variety of thematic approaches to Inter-American relations, including gender, health and the environment, culture, tourism, film, and literature. It is expected that these alternatives to traditional diplomatic relations will inform their selection of a research topic for the course.

Historical Knowledge of Revolutions

Students will become conversant with the watershed events of the Haitian Revolution, the Latin American Revolutions, the Spanish American War, the Cuban Revolution, and the Washington Consensus,and why they have been critical to the tenor of Inter-American Relations.

Critical Debate

Students will obtain a stronger cross-cultural understanding of Inter-American relations by debating and discussing issues, informed by our class readings, during our weekly discussions. At times students will be asked to embrace perspectives that they may not entirely agree with or understand.

Analytical Writing

Students will write a research paper focusing on one of the thematic approaches presented in class and informed by primary sources, as well as secondary literature, in order to arrive at a stronger understanding of Inter-American relations.