SPAN 130: Latin American Culture and Civilization

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D1. History and Political Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

Latin American Culture and Civilization is a survey course, providing an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the culture and history of Latin America. The course critically analyzes historical and contemporary social traditions and institutions in order to reach an understanding of modern day Latin America. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate correct understanding and usage of Latin American cultural and historical terminology.
  • Compare and contrast the social and cultural experiences of Latin America’s diverse populations.
  • Demonstrate a general understanding of the role of the most salient Latin American historical periods, events and institutions.
  • Identify major issues in current Latin American social, cultural and/or political affairs.
  • Demonstrate a general knowledge of Latin American culture, including literature, art, architecture, gastronomy and music.
  • Demonstrate a general knowledge of Latin American geography.
  • Critically examine and evaluate written text materials, lecture materials, synchronous/asynchronous discussion, and visual aids such as films and internet files.
  • Develop and practice cultural relativity skills while critically examining and evaluating written text materials, lecture materials, classroom discussions, and visual aids such as films and internet sites.
  • Analyze and apply historical and cultural terminology and theory to examples demonstrated through films, articles, internet material, text, and lecture examples.

Major Course Content

  1. Geography of the Americas
  2. Pre-Columbian Societies and States
  3. The Spanish Conquest
    1. Spain in the late 15th century:  the Reconquest, the Inquisition, and the discovery of "the Indies"
  4. The Colonial Period
    1. Race and the " Castas"
    2. Land and Industry
    3. Synthesis of Traditions
  5. Independence
    1. Elite Constitutions
    2. Indigenous Rights
    3. Rural/Urban Divisions
  6. Tyrants and Dictatorship in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century
  7. Resilient Cultures
    1. Food
    2. Language
    3. Arts and Crafts
    4. Religion
  8. Contemporary Latin American Society

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Literature in translation Articles in internet sources Primary and secondary cultural and historical documents

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will be required to read the text and examine primary and secondary cultural documents, such as: works of literature in translation, paintings, folk art, movies, documentaries, etc. Students will then analyze these cultural artifacts within their historical context and demonstrate that knowledge through essays and/or short written response papers.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read a biography of an important historical figure and write a short paper discussing that individual's contributions and impacts on the history of Latin America.
Watch an assigned film and write a short response paper identifying the historical and cultural elements they see in the movie and tie them together with the course readings.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3B. Humanities

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4F. History