CCOG for HST 271 archive revision 201704

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Effective Term:
Fall 2017 through Summer 2020

Course Number:
HST 271
Course Title:
History of Central America and the Caribbean
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Covers Central American and Caribbean history from the pre-Columbian era to the present. Focuses on post-contact history including colonialism, independence, revolution, nation-building and international relationships. Emphasizes social, political and cultural developments and contributions by a diversity of Central American and Caribbean peoples. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

  • Articulate and interpret an understanding of key historical facts and events in the history of Central America and the Caribbean.
  • Identify the influence of culturally-based practices, values, and beliefs to analyze how historically-defined meanings of difference affect human behavior.
  • Identify and investigate historical theses, evaluate information and its sources, and use appropriate reasoning to construct evidence-based arguments on historical issues.
  • Construct a well-organized historical argument using effective, appropriate, and accurate language.

Social Inquiry and Analysis

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to apply methods of inquiry and analysis to examine social contexts and the diversity of human thought and experience.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assess by using any combination of the following:

  • Exams
  • Essays
  • Oral presentations
  • Research projects
  • Book critiques
  • Service Learning
  • Class participation and discussion
  • Other creative assignments

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Competencies and Skills:

Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources:

  • Connect evidence to its relevant historical context
  • Analyze and evaluate written, artistic, or other evidence
  • Assess the motivation and purpose of evidence

Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own interpretation:

  • Identify a historian’s thesis and supporting evidence
  • Evaluate the arguments used to support different interpretations of historical issues
  • Develop your own thesis and historical interpretation and use evidence to support it

Think critically about the relationship between past and present events and issues:

  • Recognize and identify historical roots and parallels to current issues

Compare and contrast the experience of diverse groups in society:

  • Listen to and appreciate the experience of students from a variety of  backgrounds
  • Assess the contributions and experiences of various groups in society

Demonstrate college-level communications skills with an emphasis on writing (and may include listening and speaking):

  • Communicate effectively in writing about a historical topic
  • Communicate in writing an understanding of historical process and an evaluation of how concepts or values change over time

Clearly articulate thoughts and ideas to a particular audience which may include:

  • Working collaboratively with other students to evaluate and understand historical events
  • Working collaboratively with others in discussions, debate, or role plays
  • Presenting information in oral presentations

Themes, Concepts, Issues:

  • Mayan and other Pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations
  • Exploration and conquest
  • Acculturation
  • Changing political and economic structures
  • Cultural development, literature, art, music
  • Indigenous and Creole society, culture, and politics
  • Imperialism and neo-imperialism
  • Independence movements and revolutions
  • Role of the Catholic Church and other religions
  • The Mission System
  • Ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality and social class
  • Inter- and intra-ethnic controversies
  • Post-colonialism
  • Labor systems (such as collectivity, encomiendas, indenture, slavery, unionization)
  • Trans-Atlantic slave system
  • Sugar economy
  • Civil Wars and militarism
  • International relations and U.S. interventions
  • Geography and the natural environment
  • Tourism
  • Atlantic World