Module Identifier
GG36520
Module Title
LATIN AMERICA: LANDSCAPE AND GEOGRAPHICAL IMAGINATIONS
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Heidi V Scott
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 20 Hours. 10 x 2 hour lectures, which will involve group work and discussion.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment One coursework essay (3000 words max)  50%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Unseen written examination  50%
Supplementary Assessment Resit on condoned (medical) grounds arising from non-completion of examination or coursework involves the completion of the missing component(s) for the full range of marks on dates set in the Supplementary Examination period. Resit due to aggregate failure or non-completion of part of the assessment requires re-examination of each of the main components if marks of <40% in both were obtained, or re-examination or re-submission of the failed component (examination or assignment) to obtain a maximum mark of 40% for the module. A new exam paper and/or essay assignment will be set as appropriate.  
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Please see below for supplementary rules.  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

* Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the connections between landscape and geographical imaginations and the development of power relations and identity in colonial and post-colonial Latin America.

* Discuss and evaluate a range of theoretical approaches to landscape in geography and other related disciplines, and how these may be applied to the empirical study of Latin America.

* Discuss and evaluate theoretical approaches to and debates over colonialism and post-colonialism in Latin America.

* Demonstrate skills in reading, writing, the analysis and use of texts, and independent study.

Brief description

The module offers students an exploration of the historical and cultural geographies of Latin America, from the conquest to the era of independence. In particular, it focuses on the interrelated themes of landscape and geographical imaginations, and considers what their study can reveal about the development of (post)colonial identities and power relations in Latin America. Drawing on a range of empirical examples and case studies, the module introduces students to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to landscape, and highlights the ways in which landscapes and geographical imaginations in Latin America have been continuously shaped and contested by means of both discursive and material/embodied practices. Although the module draws on material from across Latin America, the predominant focus is on Spanish-speaking South America. The module also provides students with an opportunity to analyse, discuss and write about primary sources from the colonial and post-colonial eras that are written in English or available in English translation.

Content

Lecture Schedule
  1. Landscape and geographical imaginations: an introduction
  2. Landscape, vision and embodiment
  3. Cabeza de Vaca's New World landscapes
  4. Colonial landscapes on the move
  5. Geography, climate and Creole patriotism
  6. Landscapes of the frontier
  7. Latin America in the era of independence I
  8. Latin America in the era of independence II
  9. Contemporary indigenous movements and the (post)colonial
  10. Indigenous landscapes and resistance in modern Latin America

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not developed through this module
Communication Written communication skills will be developed and assessed through the examination as well as through the assessed essay. Oral communication skills will also be developed through group discussion in lectures.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students should implicitly develop their skills in this area through the organisation of free-time reading and exam and essay preparation. Not explicitly developed through the module.
Information Technology Students will be directed to material from the internet that is relevant to lecture topics. They will also have the opportunity to develop IT skills by using the internet as a source for primary and secondary materials in preparation for the assessed essay
Personal Development and Career planning Not explicitly developed through the module. The content of lectures and reading may indirectly encourage students to reflect on their own beliefs and views and may identify potential career paths for some.
Problem solving Problem solving will be indirectly addressed through some lecture content, essay assignments and class-based discussions but will not be explicitly developed in the module.
Research skills Students will be encouraged to develop independent research skills through collating material from library and internet sources, and through the analysis of primary sources. The opportunity that the module offers for practicing these skills will be especially useful for students wishing to conduct research or study at postgraduate level. Research skills will be assessed by means of the coursework essay.
Subject Specific Skills The module will enable students to practice subject-specific skills which they have developed in years one and two, including techniques for analyzing historical and cultural texts. Students will develop their analytical skills through class-based discussions and in their assessed essay and examination.
Team work Students will have the opportunity to develop team-work skills through group-based exercises and discussion in lectures.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Beardsell, P. (2000) Europe and Latin America: Returning the Gaze Manchester University Press: Manchester Primo search Cabeza de Vaca, A.N. (2003) The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca University of Nebraska Press Primo search Canizares Esguerra, J. (2006) Nature, Empire and Nation: Explorations of the History of Science in the Iberian World Stanford University Press Primo search Elliott, J.H. (1970) The Old World and the New, 1492-1650 Cambridge University Press Primo search Gordillo, G.R. (2005) Landscapes of Devils: Tensions of Place and Memory in the Argentinean Chaco Duke University Press Primo search Pérez-Mejía, A. (2004) A Geography of Hard Times: Narratives about Travel to South America Albany: State University of New York Press Primo search Pastor-Bodmer, B. (1995) The Armature of Conquest: Spanish Accounts of the Discovery of America, 1492-1589 Stanford University Press Primo search Poole, D. (1997) Vision, Race and Modernity: A Visual Economy of the Andean Image World Princeton University Press Primo search Pratt, M.L. (1992) Imperial Eyes: Travel Writing and Transculturation Routledge, London Primo search Robinson, D.J. (ed.) (1990 or 2006) Migration in Colonial Spanish America Cambridge University Press Primo search Sluyter, A. (2002) Colonialism and Landscape: Postcolonial Theory and Applications Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Primo search Swanson, P. (ed.) (2003) The Companion to Latin American Studies London: Arnold Primo search Weber, D. (Eds) (1994) Where Cultures Meet: Frontiers in Latin America History Scholarly Resources Inc. Primo search Williamson, E. (1992) The Penguin History of Latin America Penguin Books Primo search Yashar, D.J. et. al. (2005) Contesting Citizenship in Latin America: The Rise of Indigenous Movements and the Postliberal Challenge Cambridge University Press Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6