Evaluates how U.S.-Latin American relations are presented in high school U.S. history textbooks. An examination of 10 textbooks published between 1977-81 revealed inadequate coverage of Latin American cultural diversity and United States foreign policy from the Latin American perspective. (AM)

Analyzes Latin American film histories, emphasizing the cinema in Argentina, Chile, Cuba, and Bolivia. (PD)

This curriculum unit evolves from a 5-week study program to the Caribbean by cultural arts teachers from North Carolina. The program was designed: (1) to enhance educators' knowledge of the Caribbean influence on Western culture; (2) to understand the history of the Caribbean and its impact on the arts; and (3) to infuse this information into the…

This mini-unit focuses on the lives and accomplishments of John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood and their contacts with the Maya. This project deals specifically with how Stephens' published accounts and Catherwood's drawings became the basis from which all further Mayan research developed. These two explorers were the first to describe…

Facts about Hispanic civilization, history, and culture are compiled to provide a resource for educators and students. Overviews are presented of the history and geographical features of Spain and Latin America, major personalities of the Hispanic world, aspects of Hispanic culture and religion, features of the Spanish language, Hispanic…

This manual, prepared for sponsors of Cuban refugees, describes the background of the newest refugees by explaining their history, culture, ethnic diversity, reliqion, customs, and the current Cuban social, political, and economic climate. (Author/MR)

This student and teacher resource discusses the geography, history, and contemporary changes and achievements of Brazil. It is intended to complement textbooks and other teaching materials by serving as a resource for teachers, administrators, and students. The document is presented in three parts. Part I focuses on the geography of Brazil,…

Notes the problematical elements of diversity within Latin America, establishes priorities for the social studies curriculum, and reviews what should be taught about its geography, resources, people, religion, customs, economics, politics, history, and international relationships. Lists Latin American Studies programs and published instructional…

This simulation allows students to experience a race from El Paso, Texas to the tip of South America. The students travel through each of the Latin American countries learning as much as they can about each country and completing one report per group. Next, the teams present their report and projects, draw general information/history question…

In a review of 71 geography, history, and social studies books, a panel of individuals knowledgeable about Central America found omissions and stereotypic views that prevent students from understanding current events in that region. (Author/GC)

An introductory course on Latin America is probably the only course most college students will take on that region. It provides the best opportunity for influencing the educated public about the area. There is an urgent need to increase understanding of Latin America because so much of the American public, including public officials, are so…

These curriculum units were developed in a National Endowment for the Humanities 1994 summer seminar "Mexico in Transition." The 23 lessons are written in Spanish. Lessons are entitled: (1) "La Migracion Mexicana Vista a Traves del Cuento 'Paso del Norte' de Juan Rulfo" (Jose Jorge Armendariz); (2) "Los Grupos Indigenas de…

This project shares the information that an elementary school media specialist gleaned from a summer seminar in Mexico. The document consists almost entirely of pictures of Macintosh video screens. The author used still frame video slide pictures and computerized notes to prepare a "hypercard stack" that readers could access using…

This unit provides background information and activities about ancient Mexico including the Olmecs, the Mayans, the Toltecs, the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, and the Aztecs. Brief readings are followed by activities that cover a wide range of subjects within each culture. Illustrations throughout the text highlight the topics. A 24-item bibliography…

The American military administration that governed Cuba from 1898 to 1909 foisted its own system of values on the subordinate population. American culture was imposed, with the schools as the vehicle of "Americanization." This article describes that imposition and considers its long-term impact. (Author/BJV)