Contextualization
Throughout history, the relationship between the United States and Latin America has been of great importance to international geopolitics. This project proposes a deepening of these relationships by emphasizing the independence of Latin American nations, independence movements, and the leaders involved, the role of different ethnic and social groups, Pan-Americanism, the form of government in each country, the legacy of slavery, and the actions of the USA in Latin America.
The study of the United States and Latin America is essential to understanding the major events that have shaped the Americas. From declarations of independence to revolutionary movements, through Pan-Americanism and reaching contemporary diplomatic relations and conflicts, this analysis allows us to understand the complex dynamics between the countries of the Americas.
The importance of this study takes on current contours when we observe the unfolding of US foreign policies in relation to Latin America and their repercussions on issues such as immigration, economy, political and cultural influence.
We suggest the following resources to initially base and deepen the study:
- Book "Latin America in the Contemporary Age" - Enrique Serra Padrós
- Documentary: "Foreign Eyes" - Directed by Lúcia Murat
- News portal "Opera Mundi" - Latin America Section: https://operamundi.uol.com.br/secao/america-latina
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs website - North America section: https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/canais_atendimento/portal-do-cidadao/despachos-dos-adidos-militares-nos-eua
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs website - South and Central America section: https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/canais_atendimento/portal-do-cidadao/despachos-dos-adidos-militares-na-america-do-sul-e-central
Practical Activity
Title: "USA and Latin America: A Deeper Look"
Project Objectives:
This project aims to deepen students' understanding of the relationship between the USA and Latin America, allowing students to develop technical and socio-emotional skills.
Detailed Project Description:
The project will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students and will be divided into two parts. In the first part, students will conduct in-depth research in reliable sources, such as books, academic journals, reputable news websites, and documentaries. Based on this research, students will create a detailed and interactive timeline, covering the main events that shaped the relationship between the United States and Latin America.
In the second part, the groups will choose a specific event from the timeline and perform a dramatization, aiming to illustrate the impacts of that event on the history of the countries involved and on the relationship between the USA and Latin America.
Necessary Materials:
- Computers with internet access for research.
- Books, academic journals, and documentaries.
- Office supplies (paper, pens, markers) for timeline creation.
- Art supplies for dramatization (costumes, props).
Detailed Step-by-Step for the Activity:
- Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students.
- Each group should conduct intensive research on the history of relations between the USA and Latin America, focusing on the independence of American nations, the independence movements and the leaders involved, the role of different ethnic and social groups, Pan-Americanism, the form of government in each country after independence, the legacy of slavery and the actions of the USA in Latin America.
- Based on their research, the groups will create an interactive physical or digital timeline of the main events that shaped relations between the USA and Latin America.
- Each group will choose a specific event from its timeline and do a dramatization, lasting 10 to 15 minutes, to illustrate that event. The dramatization should be done in such a way as to make it easier for students to understand the impact of that event on the history of the countries involved and its impact on the relationship between the USA and Latin America.
- Each group will have to write a detailed report of its project, following the guidelines provided.
Project Deliverables:
The groups must deliver the interactive timeline, perform the dramatization in front of the class, and submit a written report detailing their project. The report should follow the format below:
- Introduction: Students should contextualize the theme, its relevance and application in the real world, as well as the objective of this project.
- Development: The report should contain the theory behind the central theme of the project, a detailed description of the activity, and the methodology used. Students will present their results by organizing events on the timeline and discussing the results obtained from the dramatization.
- Conclusion: Students should conclude the work by bringing back their main points, lessons learned, and personal reflections on the project.
- Bibliography: Students should indicate all the sources they used to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.
The final result of the practical activity should be a complete report that reflects not only the knowledge obtained in the project, but also the learning process and collaboration of the group.
