OVERVIEW

    This course aims to introduce the knowledge of the history of Latin American ideas of the 15th and 16th centuries.  Significant cultural texts of the period will be analyzed which will allow us to interpret the dialectic between discussions, concepts, ideas and history.  There will be a particular emphasis on grasping a working knowledge of the topic and its representation of:  processes of institutionalization, theoretical-conceptual processes, producing texts

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Analyze the history of Latin American ideas through the study of the ideological/political/philosophical essay.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

During this course you will be presented with the cultural, political, and ideological causes that lead to the conquest and colonization of the New World. Particular attention will be paid to the workings of linguistic, cultural, and religious impositions by the Spanish conqueror. The students must acquire the knowledge of the cultural history of the period studied, necessary to: 

-achieve a theoretical method of discussion that will allow you to connect the social resources, symbolic content, and forms of enunciation;

-examine the ideological representations present in the body of the proposed texts through the configuration of themes, concepts and argumentative scenarios;

-analyze the contexts in which knowledge is produced and the ways in which it is represented;

-understand the significance and importance of the period’s culture starting from a contemporary perspective;

-identify significant moments in the cultural history of the period;

-promote critical and argumentative reading on the themes and problems of the period’s culture

-observe the style of writing of the proposed texts

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

36 lecture hours, held in the 2nd semester,  characterized by cultural, social, historical and ideological insights.  Students will be invited to actively participate in the analysis of the texts presented. 

Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will analyze the philosophical and cultural premises and consequences connected to the event of the Discovery/Conquest of America. These premises and consequences will be examined from both the perspective of the conquerors and that of the conquered, through the figures of Colombo, Cortés, Las Casas, and Sepúlveda

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for attending students (available through the Internet):

T. Todorov, La Conquista de América. El problema del otro;

E.Dussel,  El encubrimiento del otro. Hacia el origen de la modernidad; 

A. Rosenblat, Los conquistadores y su lengua, cap.I e II; (Book chapters will be made available through Aulaweb)

A book of your choice between:

A.Carpentier, El arpa y la sombra;

J.J. Saer, El Entenado;

C. Fuentes, El Naranjo;

Pablo Montoya, Trípitico de la infamia.

Book chapters will be made available through Aulaweb.

Bibliography for non-attending students (available through the Internet):

T. Todorov, La Conquista de América. El problema del otro; 

E.Dussel,  El encubrimiento del otro. Hacia el origen de la modernidad; 

B. Pastor, Discursos narrativos de la conquista: mitificación y emergencia, 1° e 2° parte; ((Book chapters will be made available through Aulaweb).

A. Rosenblat, Los conquistadores y su lengua, cap.I e II; ((Book chapters will be made available through Aulaweb).

Two books to choose from:

A.Carpentier, El arpa y la sombra;

J.J. Saer, El Entenado;

C. Fuentes, El Naranjo.

Pablo Montoya, Trípitico de la infamia.

Book chapters will be made available through Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

II semester.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will consist of an oral interview covering the course contents.  In addition to the knowledge of the program, the exam will also evaluate the ability to expose the knowledge and the accurate usage of the language specific to this discipline

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison.