LATINAM 306 : Latin American Icons: The Political Economy of Otherness
Arts
2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Beginning with establishing Indigenous contributions to historical memory, we study how the colonial matrix of power created cannibals and noble savages that legitimated European Doctrines of Discovery. When the nation-state proclaimed its independence from Europe in the early 19th century, the icon of the caudillo emerged as a local power-broker and national hero or bloodthirsty military tyrant. We later deconstruct the icons of women with La Malinche and Frida Kahlo (colonial and modern Mexico, respectively). Primary resource extraction in a neo-colonial era plays a central role in creating “latinidad” in imaginary Banana Republics (populated by Carmen Miranda), and the emergence of drug-trafficking (“el narco traficante”), while rhythms emerging in popular culture contributed to musical forms of othering (rumba, tango, samba, mambo, Cha-cha and salsa), and served as the raw materials that culture industries required to develop new products for international consumption that participate in the construction of Latin Lover and macho stereotype.
Movements for decolonisation appear throughout history. On the one hand, dictators occupy a central place to understanding Latin America’s relationship with its colonial past and the regions most recent power dynamics with the United States and other global neo-colonial capitalist and corporate powers. On the other, freedom fighter and communities have been labelled as savages, bandidos, guerrilla fighters, revolutionaries, communist subversives and terrorists. These historical actors are studied in their political and historical context in figures such as: José Martí, Emiliano Zapata, Pancho Villa, Augusto Sandino, Che Guevara, Salvador Allende, Sub Comandante Marcos, and Evo Morales. We finish by demonstrating how these decolonising movements relate to grassroots civic movements from the late 19 century onward to contest colonial, neo-colonial, authoritarian regimes and current corporate global powers. We end with focus on the Zapatista movement, the figure of the “disappeared’ and current student-led social movements that set the stage for anti-neoliberal movements of the first decades of the 21st century.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Latin American social, historical and political processes through the study of some of the regions most identifiable figures and historic-political landmarks. (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 6.1)
- Critically evaluate the socio-ideological and political meaning behind many mainstream figures and icons associated with Latin American cultures and politics. (Capability 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2)
- Identify the central differences between Latin American stereotypes and icons, and their sociopolitical implications within the region and abroad. (Capability 2.1 and 3.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Tests (including critical readings) | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| 2 Essays (2,500 words each) | 60% | Individual Coursework |
| 2 types | 100% |
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
Delivery Mode
Online
Attendance is [required/expected] at scheduled online activities including [labs/tutorials/studios/clinics] to [complete/receive credit for] components of the course.
The course [will/will not] include live online events including [group discussions/tutorials/lectures] and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is [required/not required] for the [test/exam].
Where possible, study material will [be available at course commencement/be released progressively throughout the course].
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.
This course [is / is not] available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.