SAKS005 Latin American society

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Athena Alchazidu, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. José Luis Bellón Aguilera, PhD. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. José Luis Bellón Aguilera, PhD.
Center for North American Studies – Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Center for North American Studies – Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
Active approach in classes.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The main goal of this course is to offer an overview of the contemporary society in the Central American countries and the Caribbean. One of the most important features of these countries is represented by their ethnic and cultural diversity, that is why special attention will be paid to the most important ethnic minorities in Central America. Attention will be also paid, in particular, to the historical, social and cultural contexts within the majority society in each Spanish-speaking country of the Mesoamerican region and in the Caribbean, so that students will get acquainted with the basic profiles of the most representative ethnic groups (their history, culture, traditions and ways of life).
Learning outcomes
Students who complete this course will have an understanding of the complex multiethnical and multicultural society in the Spanish speaking countries of Central America and the Caribbean. Students will have general knowledge of the general social structures of the majority society and they will get acquainted with the basic profiles of the most representative ethnic groups (their history, culture, traditions and ways of life).
Syllabus
  • Programme 1. Geographical and social framework. Historical and cultural contexts. 2. Caribbean: Cuba Yoruba 3. Caribbean: Puerto Rico Boricua. Dominican rep. Awarak/ Taínos 4. Mexico: Tarahumara 5. Mexico: Huichol 6. Mexico: Maya Tzotzil 7. Guatemala: Xinca 8. Honduras: Garifuna 9. Nicaragua Miskito 10. Costa Rica Chirigua 11. Panama: Embera 12. Panama: Guna Yala
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Minahan, James. Ethnic Groups of the Americas: An Encyclopedia. Cremon Drive, California, ABC-Clio, LLC, 2013.
  • Wilson, Samuel M. The Indigenous People of the Caribbean. Florida, University Press of Florida, 1999.
  • Kottak, Conrad. Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999.
Teaching methods
Lectures and Seminars; student presentations and group projects, class discussion.
Assessment methods
equirements 1. Regular attendance is compulsory, active approach in classes is required. Two absences per semester permitted. 2. Student should present one topic in class. 3. Regular homework and systematic contribution to ALL discussion boards available in ELF (prior to respective deadlines).
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Teacher's information
https://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf2/course/view.php?id=3438#section-1
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/SAKS005