GG26010 - THE AMERICAS

Module Identifier	GG26010
Module Title	THE AMERICAS
Academic Year	2001/2002
Co-ordinator	Dr Deborah Dixon
Semester	Semester 2
Other staff	Dr Luke Desforges, Dr Timothy Cresswell
Course delivery	Lecture	20 Hours 10 x 2 hours
Assessment	Supplementary examination	2 Hours Resit examination in same format.	100%
	Exam	2 Hours Seen examination - answer two questions from four.	100%

Module Outline (Lecture Themes)

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the varied social, economic, and cultural landscapes of the Americas. Focusing on several key themes, such as colonization and independence, nation building and modernization, the course will emphasize how and why diverse forms of government have attempted to 'shape' New World social formations, as well as the aims and ideals of select groups who have worked to produce alternate visions of society. In-depth case studies ranging from the making of the American West to the Cuban revolution, and from the civil rights movement to the rise of Aryan patriot groups will be used to draw out these themes. Students will read both theoretical works and empirical studies of particular peoples and places, and will explore how people and place have been represented in maps as well as diverse written texts. Themes:

Colonial Encounters
Independence in the New World and its Legacy
Modernization and Development in the US
Modernization and Development in Central and South America
Imagining America
Nation Building and Cultural Marginalization
Socialism and its Variations across the Americas
Race: From Civil Rights to Patriotism
New Social Movements
Conclusions and Revision

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the varied social, economic, and cultural landscapes of the Americas.

Module objectives / Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will have gained an appreciation of:-

the diversity of social formations in the Americas

the legacy provided by both colonialism and independence in the Americas

key moments in the development of select American states

key contemporary issues and concerns across the Americas.

Students will be able to:

refer to and evaluate a range of interdisiplinary literature on the history of the Americas as well as particular case studies

demonstrate an awareness of the practical role played by Geographers in the development of the Americas

further develop their own critical thought, writing and presentation skills.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Cronon, William, Miles, George and Gitlin,Jay (eds). (1992) Under an Open Sky: Rethinking America's Western Past.. Norton. Classmark: F591.U5
Jackson, John Brinckerhoff. (1994) A Sense of Place, A Sense of Time.. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. Classmark: GF90.I6
Kay, Cristobal. (1989) Latin American Theories of Development and Underdevelopment.. London: Routledge.
Nelson Limerick, Patricia. (1987) The Legacy of Conquest.. Norton. Classmark: F591.T7
Radcliffe, Sarah. (1993) Viva: Women and popular Protest in Latin America.. London: Routledge. Classmark: JC311.R1