Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

• Analyze and articulate geographic concepts related to the geography of Latin America, its physical environment, peoples, cultures, and history.
• Analyze changing political and economic relationships between the United States and countries in Latin America in order to be a more informed and engaged global citizen.
• Interpret maps, graphs, and visuals as tools for analyzing the distribution patterns of phenomena and understanding their importance.

• Evaluate how changing cultural, social, political, and economic characteristics of Latin American countries influence internal strife and external intervention.

• Understand the complexities that contribute to the social inequality, political conflict, and environmental concerns prevalent in some Latin American countries and discuss possible solutions. 

Class will include lectures, article reviews, student-led discussions, documentary films, exams, and in-depth student projects including presentations.  

Student learning will be assessed primarily through in-class assignments and discussion, multiple-choice and short-answer exams, and a research project.

• Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• Written and oral responses to in-class exercises
• Review of books, articles, and newspapers
• Interpretation of visuals, such as maps, graphs, and photographs

Themes:

• Maps and geographic concepts
• Human-environment interaction
• Political ecology
• Å·ÖÞ±­¾öÈü¾º²Âapp_Å·ÖÞ±­×ãÇòÍø-Ͷע|¹ÙÍøment and inequality

Concepts:

• Regional concepts
• Physical and cultural landscapes
• Geopolitics
• Political economy
• Population mobility

Issues:

• Environmental resources and degradation
• Structural Adjustment Programs and development
• Social inequality and poverty
• Migration, particularly current and historical to the U.S. 
• Drug trade and conflict
• Rapid urbanization and slum formation

Competencies and Skills:

• Å·ÖÞ±­¾öÈü¾º²Âapp_Å·ÖÞ±­×ãÇòÍø-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø critical thinking skills and broaden perspectives of diversity issues.
• Improve interpersonal skills and multicultural understanding.
• Å·ÖÞ±­¾öÈü¾º²Âapp_Å·ÖÞ±­×ãÇòÍø-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø a sense of civic responsibility and leadership.
• Facilitate co-learning and empowerment process.
• Apply geographic knowledge and skills to respond meaningfully to real world issues.