History of Latin America in the context of globalization processes (16th-21st centuries) 3305-HAL-SEM-LIC
The Bachelor's seminar aims to explore key aspects of the history of Latin America and the Caribbean in the context of globalization processes (16th-21st centuries), with particular emphasis on social, economic and cultural processes in the context of their links with the development of the global system of flows of people, capital, goods and ideas. Students will have the opportunity to understand the functioning of these processes, for example, on the basis of the African slave trade in the Atlantic area; trade between the metropolis and its colonies in America and the Philippines, the creation of economic cooperation alliances such as MERCOSUR and the circulation of political, social and cultural ideas between different regions of the world interacting with Latin America and the Caribbean.
The analysis of selected scientific works will provide knowledge on research methodology and processes that allow for understanding the historical mechanisms of colonialism and globalization, such as migration, slavery, trade, information flow and cultural hybridization. Knowledge that will enable writing a bachelor's thesis showing the impact of these activities on the formation of societies in Latin America and the Caribbean from the colonial period to the present day and their reflections today.
The seminar is intended to comprehensively prepare students to write a bachelor's thesis, which is the result of their independent research project on the history of colonial/contemporary Latin America or the impact of globalization on Latin America. This process will be based on experience gained during exercises in critical analysis of literature, selection of methodology and skillful use of modern research tools. The seminar is intended to support students at every stage of the creative process - from choosing a topic, through collecting sources and creating a bibliography, to editing and finalizing the work.
Sample topics of classes:
● Early globalization/globalization - definitions and theoretical frameworks.
● Types of historical sources and methods of analysis.
● How to analyze collected materials and draw conclusions on their basis.
● Tools used during research and writing a scientific paper.
● Criteria for selecting a bachelor's thesis topic and formulating research questions.
● Structure of the research project and definition of the objectives and scope of the work.
● Techniques for searching scientific literature and organizing the bibliography.
● How to write an introduction to a bachelor's thesis, i.e. critical analysis of literature
● Principles of correct editing of a scientific work - academic style.
● How to prepare a presentation of a bachelor's thesis
Type of course
obligatory courses
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Mode
Term 2025: Blended learning Classroom | General: Classroom Blended learning |
Learning outcomes
The student knows and understands basic terminology, subject and fields of research covering selected fields of science and scientific disciplines relevant to Iberian studies; basic concepts and principles in the field of intellectual property protection and copyright (K_W03; K_W09).
The student is able to read and understand Spanish language texts; present their views, opinions, discuss, present prepared issues in Spanish colonial history; identify different types of Spanish-language texts, place them in a general historical and cultural context, and analyze them using basic terminology and appropriate methods; independently acquire knowledge and develop skills using appropriate sources from selected fields of science and scientific disciplines specific to Latin American colonial studies (dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, source texts, monographic studies, etc.); write an essay in Spanish (term paper, bi-term paper, as well as bachelor's degree dissertation) using appropriate methods and appropriate sources of the scientific disciplines appropriate for Latin American Colonial studies; prepare oral presentations in Spanish using appropriate methods and sources for the fields of scientific disciplines specific to Colonial studies; use basic theoretical approaches, research paradigms and concepts specific to the historical studies of the Latin American Colonial History field and other scientific disciplines relevant to Hispanic studies (K_U01; K_U02; K_U03; K_U04; K_U05; K_U06; K_U07).
The student is ready to be a critical assessment of their own knowledge and skills and understands the need for continuous improvement and development; planning and organizing work, developing their entrepreneurship, team collaboration and compliance with professional ethics; active participation in the culture of the studied region using various forms and media and to work both in a team performing various roles and in an autonomous manner; Keeping informed about contemporary processes and phenomena occurring in the language, culture and history of Spanish speaking countries (K_K01; K_K02; K_K03; K_K04).
Assessment criteria
Teaching methods:
● Group discussions based on analysis of assigned texts.
● Individual consultations.
● Practical writing workshops and text editing.
Rules for passing the seminar:
● Attendance - a maximum of 2 unexcused and 3 excused absences are allowed.
● Activity - participation in discussions on the assigned literature and presentation of a paper related to the topic of the BA thesis.
Assignments in semester I:
● Presentation of the research questions, research plan and bibliography for the undergraduate thesis.
● In the case of a thesis based on the analysis of source materials, the student is required to provide digital versions of the documents to be transcribed.
Assignments in Semester II:
● Presentation of the progress of the undergraduate thesis during the semester.
● Submission of the finished thesis at the end of the semester.
Guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence tools: https://dokumenty.uw.edu.pl/dziennik/DURK/Lists/Dziennik/Attachments/134/DURK.2023.98.UURK.98.pdf
Bibliography
Selected literature:
● Bloch, Marc: Apología de la Historia o el oficio de historiador, México, FCE, 2001.
● Braudel, Fernand: Las Civilizaciones actuales. Estudio de Historia Económica y social, Madrid, Tecnos, 1993.
● Cruz Márquez, María Amanda: Manual del tesista. Metodología para la elaboración del proyecto de investigación de tesis de Historia, México, Palabra de Clío, 2021.
● Eco, Umberto: Cómo se hace una tesis?, Barcelona, Gedisa, 2001.
● Ferrer, Aldo: ‘América Latina y la globalización’, Revista de la CEPAL, Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe, 1998.
● Gawrycki, Marcin Florian, ed.: Ameryka Łacińska wobec wyzwań globalizacji. Toruń, Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek, 2006.
● Palomo Garrido, Aleksandro: ‘Apuntes teóricos para el estudio de la Globalización desde la perspectiva de las Relaciones Internacionales’, CONfines relacion. Internaciones. ciencia política, Monterrey, v. 8, n. 16, p. 69-109, 2012.
● Quijano, Aníbal: Colonialidad del poder, eurocentrismo y América Latina. Espacio Abierto, 28(1), pp. 255-301, 2019.
● Topolski, Jerzy: Metodología de la Historia, Madrid, Ediciones Cátedra, 1992.
● Wallerstein, Immanuel: ‘El moderno sistema-mundo y la evolución’, Antiguo Oriente, Buenos Aires, vol. 5, 2007, pp. 231-242.
● Yun Casalilla, Bartolomé: Historia global, historia transnacional e historia de los imperios El Atlántico, América y Europa (siglos XVI-XVIII), Zaragoza, Institución Fernando el Católico, 2019.
* literature can be supplemented with other bibliographic material depending on the subject of the undergraduate thesis.
Support tools:
ChatGPT, Copilot - Help with outline generation, text editing, information retrieval.
LITMAPS - Literature review assistant
Zotero - Organisation and management of bibliography.
Grammarly, DeepL - Language proofreading.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: