SP2TT: Transatlantic Exchanges: Latin America in the Global Nineteenth Century

Module code: SP2TT

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Catriona McAllister, email: c.mcallister@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have passed SP1L3, SP1L2, SP1L1 or equivalent (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: na

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The nineteenth century saw dramatic political change in Latin America. As the region achieved independence from the Spanish and Portuguese empires, the newly emerging nations faced questions over how to shape their political, economic and cultural futures. This module explores both the factors that led to this profound shift and the way that Latin America approached its new future throughout the century. The module views these changes through a global lens, examining the impact of influential ideas, the movement of people and international political interactions. By examining key historical and cultural texts, and important elements such as the wars of independence and the abolition of slavery, the module will explore how Latin America faced the challenges of the nineteenth century and how this period left its political and cultural mark on the region.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Analyse the historical evolution of, and production of ideas in, Latin America in the nineteenth century
2. Interpret and apply primary and secondary sources appropriately
3. Compose coherent arguments supported by appropriate evidence

Module content

Topics for study may include:

• Independence: reluctant revolutions
• The aftermath of independence
• Modernisation: economic, social and political
• Liberalism and positivism
• The survival of slavery in Brazil and Cuba
• The late 19th century and the sense of Latin America

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars and group work.

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will give an in-class formative presentation in groups over the course of the module.

Students may submit an essay plan or 500 words of their essay for feedback.

Reassessment

Additional costs