From Cortés to Bolívar: Latin American Societies from Conquest to Revolution and Independence (16th-19th Centuries) 3305-OCDB-SEM-LIC
The seminar focuses on the analysis of historical processes occurring in Latin America from the 16th to the 19th centuries, encompassing the period of conquest and colonization, the era of independence, and the first decades of the new states' existence.
The approach to the topics discussed is based on contemporary trends in humanities research, in particular:
- global history (analysis of Latin America in the context of transatlantic and global connections),
- postcolonial and decolonial studies (critique of Eurocentrism, analysis of power and knowledge relations),
- geohistory (analysis of the relationship between space, environment, and historical processes),
- social and cultural history,
- history of memory and representation of the past.
The course is interdisciplinary and is intended for students of Hispanic Studies. Particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the representation of the past in various types of sources and reflecting on the role of history in the social, cultural, economic, and political life of Latin America.
Students work with a variety of materials:
- historiographic and source texts,
- digital libraries and online archives,
- historical films and documentaries,
- historical podcasts,
- selected computer games as a form of historical narrative (supplementing the analysis of historiographic sources).
The seminar is based on workshop work, in which students learn how to formulate research problems, select methodology and bibliography, conduct source criticism, and write and edit academic texts.
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Term 2026:
The seminar focuses on the analysis of historical processes occurring in Latin America from the 16th to the 19th centuries, encompassing the period of conquest and colonization, the era of independence, and the first decades of the new states' existence. The approach to the topics discussed is based on contemporary trends in humanities research, in particular: The course is interdisciplinary and is intended for students of Hispanic Studies. Particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the representation of the past in various types of sources and reflecting on the role of history in the social, cultural, economic, and political life of Latin America. Students work with a variety of materials: The seminar is based on workshop work, in which students learn how to formulate research problems, select methodology and bibliography, conduct source criticism, and write and edit academic texts. |
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
General: Blended learning Classroom | Term 2026: Classroom Blended learning |
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The student: knows and understands the terminology, subject matter, and main directions of research on the history of Latin America from the 16th to the 19th century, including contemporary historiographic approaches (postcolonial, decolonial, and global); understands the complexity of colonial and postcolonial processes and their long-term consequences; knows the basic concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright (K_W03; K_W09).
Skills
The student is able to: analyze and interpret historiographic texts, taking into account their methodological and epistemological context; interpret various types of sources, including popular culture as forms of narrative about the past; critically evaluate historical narratives, including Eurocentric and colonial narratives; formulate research problems embedded in current historiographic debates; conduct research in digital libraries and databases; prepare a bachelor's thesis using various types of sources and research methods; Integrate historical approaches with the analysis of culture and discourse; present research findings in a structured manner consistent with academic requirements (K_U01; K_U02; K_U03; K_U04; K_U05; K_U06; K_U07).
Social Competencies
Students: are aware of the limitations of their own knowledge and understand the need to continuously develop it; are able to critically engage with dominant historical narratives; understand the importance of research ethics and the responsibility for interpreting the past; are able to work individually and collaboratively in an academic environment; actively participate in debates on history and its contemporary interpretations; are open to a diversity of cultural and interpretative perspectives (K_K01; K_K02; K_K03; K_K04).
Assessment criteria
Teaching Methods
Problem-based discussions based on scholarly texts and source materials, individual consultations, methodological and writing workshops, student presentations, comparative analysis of various forms of historical narrative (text, film, game, podcast).
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Forms of Work:
- group discussions based on material analysis,
- individual consultations,
- writing workshops and text editing.
Requirements for Grading the Seminar:
1. Attendance: a maximum of 2 unexcused and 3 excused absences,
2. Activity: participation in discussions and presentation of a paper related to the bachelor's thesis.
3. Tasks in the first semester:
- formulating the research problem,
- preparing a work plan,
- developing a bibliography (including digital sources and various media),
- collecting source materials (if applicable).
4. Tasks in the second semester:
- presenting the work's progress,
- editing subsequent chapters,
- submitting the thesis.
Final Assessment Criteria:
The final assessment takes into account:
1. the quality and level of advancement of the bachelor's thesis,
2. independence and systematic research,
3. ability to use methods and sources,
4. active participation and involvement in classes.
Practical placement
Not applicable.
Bibliography
Selected literature:
● Bloch, Marc: Apología de la Historia o el oficio dehistoriador, 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.
● 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: Global history, transnational history and history of the Atlantic, America and Europe empires (sig. XVI-XVIII), Zaragoza, Institución Fernando el Católico, 2019.
* The bibliography may be supplemented with other bibliographic materials depending on the topic of the bachelor's theses.
Supporting tools:
ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot - Assistance in generating outlines, editing texts, and searching for information.
Grammarly, DeepL - Language proofreading.
NotebookLM - Presentation creator.
*Guidelines for the use of AI tools
Students are required to follow the rules established by the University of Warsaw. Rules for the use of AI tools (UW):
https://dokumenty.uw.edu.pl/dziennik/DURK/Lists/Dziennik/Attachments/134/DURK.2023.98.UURK.98.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
AI tools may only be used as a supplement (e.g., for research, organizing material, or editing text) and cannot replace the student's independent research work.