Outlines a brief history of Mesoamerica, a region of Ancient North America which stretches from north central Mexico to the western half of El Salvador. Describes the languages of the region, common traits of the cultures which developed there, the periods, and the geography. (PRA)

Synthesizes empirical evidence on the participation of state and capital in the establishment of domestic telegraphic and telephonic communication in Latin America. Suggests that, in many ways, the contemporary period of telecommunication system organization in the region parallels the early years of telegraphy and telephony. Discusses these…

Describes the historical approaches to the decipherment of ancient Maya writing. Asserts that Mayan hieroglyphics are recognized as true writing because they represent the sounds and structure of spoken language. Discusses the history of Maya hieroglyphic writing and how it was used in that civilization. (PRA)

States that iconographic investigations of Olmec style art works have produced convincing evidence that rulership during the Early and Middle Formative Period of Mesoamerican prehistory was publicly legitimized by a visual charter. Shows that the charter's naturally derived symbols functioned within a system which stressed the human ruler's access…

Offers an overview of Later Formative period writing in Mesoamerica, and discusses recent findings. Asserts that analysis of the iconographic context of the script reveals considerable interdependence between text and context and provides a glimpse of the importance of cosmological considerations in the display of power. Discusses the importance…

Summarizes the nature of the pre-Hispanic pictorial communication system used by the Mixtec people of Mexico, who were creating manuscripts in which they recorded their histories, genealogies, and religious beliefs long before the Spanish reached the New World. Explains and illustrates the principal pictorial conventions. (PRA)

Surveys the origin and development of the representational conventions of Mesoamerican writing systems. Asserts that writing probably grew out of the iconography of ceremonial celts, and seems to have taken shape during or just before the period in which state-level political organization was emerging. Discusses the representational features of…

Presents an annotated bibliography of materials on the history of Argentina from 1862 to the 1980s. The bibliography is intended for use by college level history instructors as they develop curriculum on Argentina and as they seek to provide students with informative, stimulating, and accessible reading. The bilbiography relies heavily on journal…

Presents an annotated bibliography of materials on the history of Chile from the 1500s to the twentieth century. The bibliography includes works from the United States, England, and Chile on a variety of topics, including the colonial period, Pre-Columbian Chile, Indian life, culture, political structure, the impact of Spanish Imperialism, land…

The history and etymology of terms commonly used by registrars in maintaining records are summarized, with focus on their Latin origins. Terms include record, copy, file, rolls, register, data, enrollment, total, census, notary, minutes, office, delegate, catalog, schedule, procedure, memorandum, authentic, seal, signature, diploma, certify, and…

One of a series, this booklet on world issues explains why Brazil has become important for the United States. Brazil's rise from a sleeping giant to continental leader is investigated. Brazil's impressive economic growth from the mid-1960s through the 1970s is explored. An analysis of Brazil's economic crisis of the 1980s is also explained.…

Points out that new interest in Latin American history can be generated by focusing on urban growth. Describes the course content, themes, and issues used in the Latin American urban history course taught at the University of Pittsburgh. Concludes with a seven-page list of instructional resources. (JDH)

Annotated bibliography on the history of Chile during 60 years in the middle of the twentieth century is presented. A general outline of major Chilean developments during this period is presented to aid college level history instructors develop curriculum on Chile. Outline topics are the end of the Parliamentary Republic, 1920-31; popular front…

This course outline and bibliography on Peru during the middle years of the nineteenth century includes general works in English and Spanish. Entries are organized chronologically and focus on a variety of topics, including efforts to modernize society, the large unassimilated Indian population, geographic isolation, economic problems, militarism,…

Presents an outline and suggests bibliographic resources in Spanish and English for a college level course on the Latin American colonial military. General and background works are suggested on a variety of topics. (DB)