HIST 4510
Colinial Latin America

Course Syllabus

Study Guides

There are study guides available in eLearn and on the website for the two Exams. Study guides for the map quizzes will be handed out in class.

Course Description:

HIST 4510/6510 is an overview of Latin American history and culture from the Pre-Columbian civilizations to 1800, the eve of the wars of independence against the Spanish and Portuguese empires.

Purpose and rationale: This course will focus primarily on social and cultural issues, emphasizing gender, family, religion, race and class. There will be only a limited discussion of political history.  This course seeks to give students a general understanding of the foundational elements of Latin American society that will enable them to better understand modern Latin American cultures, countries, and individuals. It will also provide a foundation to prepare students for HIST 4520.

Instructional Methodology: This class will combine lecture and discussion. Students will be expected to have done assigned readings and other assignments in order to participate in discussions.

Learning outcomes

1. Content Objectives - Students completing HIST 4510 should be familiar with:
   1. the broad outlines of Pre-Columbian history and culture, in particular the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations
   2. a background on Spanish and Portuguese history s it is relevant to Latin American society
   3. the broad outlines of colonial political history, including conquest and establishment and reformation of imperial government 
   4. a basic knowledge of colonial economic and social structures
   5. a basic knowledge of colonial cultural elements, particularly in the areas of religion, race, family and gender
   6. the distinguishing characteristics between the major cultural areas and ethnic groups of colonial society

   Competency Objectives - Students completing HIST 4510 should be able to:

   1. distinguish between primary and secondary sources;
   2. evaluate claims about the past critically;
   3. gather and assess historical evidence;
   4. incorporate information gathered from research into well-written and grammatically correct essays;
   5. quote, paraphrase, summarize, and cite sources properly;

Textbook

• Restall, Mathew and Kris Lane. Latin America in Colonial Times 2nd edition. 2018 (New York: Cambridge University Press). 
  ISBN-13: 978-1108403467 - this is the paperback edition
• Additional readings will available in eLearn and on the website, as well from handouts in class.

Assignments

1. There are two essay exams in this class. They will be available in eLearn.
2. There are two map quizzes in this class, one on geographic features and one on political features. Study guides will be available as handouts.
3. Participation matters in this class. While attendance is a significant part of this class, participation in class discussion also matters. It will be important to stay up to date on readings.
4. There is a book review assignment in this class. Instructions will be found on the website and in eLearn.
5. There is a Research Question Paper in this class. Instructions will be found on the website and in eLearn

Grade Distribution

Grading Scale:

CLASS AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Assignments:

Assignments for this class will include reading, writing, and special projects. Readings maybe assigned not only from the text, but also from photocopied materials, library books, and Internet sources. Students are responsible for all work assigned in this class, whether or not they are present. Assignments must be completed on time. Late work will be penalized unless you have a good excuse, and no assignments will be accepted more than one week late. All students are expected to participate regularly in class discussions.   
In order to improve your writing, you will need to utilize all the resources TSU puts at your disposal, including the WRITE Program. The WRITE Studio is located in 220 Jackson Hall Industrial Arts Building open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., M-F. The Studio is equipped with computers, printers, wifi, style guides, etc. The Studio is also staffed with trained WRITE Associates to assist the students with strengthening their writing skills. A student can use the Studio any time during regular hours, but it is best to make an appointment to work with a WRITE Associate: Call 963-2131 or e-mail write@tnstate.edu. To use the Studio, students must have their current student I. D. cards and adhere to basic Studio rules of conduct. Students looking for reliable online sources can visit the WRITE page. 

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance and punctuality are expected of all students. Students are responsible for all material, tests and assignments, regardless of attendance or punctuality. The professor is under no obligation to give make-ups or accept late work caused by unexcused absence or tardiness. The professor reserves the right to deduct from the student's participation grade for more than three unexcused absences and to deduct up to a letter grade from the final grade for excessive unexcused absences (10% of class hours). The professor reserves the right to fail students who miss more than 20% of class hours. Those students who know that they will have a consistent problem due to scheduling conflicts should discuss this with the professor at the beginning of the semester. 

Class Participation

Preparation: since students are expected to participate in class discussion, it is important to complete all the assigned readings before coming to class. Students are expected to understand the material or to have identified what they do not yet understand in order to ask questions in class. All students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material. Students are expected to observe normal courtesy in class. They are expected to pay attention to the instructor, to take detailed notes, to refrain from personal conversation, and to avoid any other behavior that disturbs others. A student who does not observe these courtesies may be asked to leave the room.  

TSU Disablity Accommodation Statement

TSU is committed to creating inclusive learning environments and providing all students with opportunities to learn and excel in their course of study. Any student with a disability or condition which might interfere with his/her class performance or attendance may arrange for reasonable accommodations by visiting the Office of Disability Services (ODS). ODS is located in Kean Hall, room 131 and can be reached at 963-7400 or www.tnstate.edu/disabilityservices .  You will be required to speak with ODS staff and provide documentation of the need for an accommodation.  If you qualify for an accommodation you will be provided with a document stating what type of classroom accommodations are to be made by the instructor.  It is your responsibility to give a copy of this document to the instructor as soon as you receive it.  Accommodations will only be provided AFTER the instructor receives the accommodation instructions from ODS; accommodations are not retroactive.  You must follow this process for each semester that you require accommodations. 

TSU Sexual Misconduct, Domestic/Dating Violence, Stalking Statement

TSU recognizes the importance of providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.  If you (or someone you know) has experienced or is experiencing any of these incidents, there are resources to assist you in the areas of accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, and making referrals for assistance with legal protective orders and more. Please be aware that most TSU employees, including faculty and instructors, are “responsible employees”, meaning that they are required to report incidents of sexual violence, domestic/dating violence or stalking.   This means that if you tell me about a situation involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, I must report the information to the Title IX Coordinator.  Although I have to report the situation, you will still have options about how your situation will be handled, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint.  Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources you need.  You are encouraged to contact TSU’s Title IX Coordinator to report any incidents of sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic/dating violence or stalking.  The Title IX coordinator is located in the Office of Equity and Inclusion, McWherter Administration Building, Ste. 260 and can be reached at 615-963-7494 or 615-963-7438.  For more information about Title IX and TSU’s SART or policies and procedures regarding sexual, domestic/dating violence and stalking please visit:  www.tnstate.edu/equity. If you wish to speak to someone confidentially, who is not required to report, you can contact the TSU Counseling Center, located in the basement of Wilson Hall, at 615-963-5611 or TSU Student Health Services, located in the Floyd Payne Campus Center room 304, at 615-963-5084.  You may also contact the following off campus resources:  Sexual Assault Center of Nashville at 1-800-879-1999 or www.sacenter.org or the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence at 615-386-9406 or www.tncoalition.org. 

TSU Harassment and Discrimination Statement

Tennessee State University is firmly committed to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit harassment and discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, religion, retaliation, veteran status and other protected categories.  TSU will not subject any student to discrimination or harassment and no student shall be excluded from participation in nor denied the benefits of any educational program based on their protected class.  If a student believes they have been discriminated against or harassed because of a protected class, they are encouraged to contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at McWherter Administration Building, Ste. 260, 615-963-7494 or 615-963-7438, www.tnstate.edu/equity.