Analyzes educational decentralization trends and policies in Argentina and Brazil during 1990s, includes case studies. Discusses historical background and rationales behind "provinicialization" in Argentina and "municipalization" in Brazil; identifies commonalities, including centralization of curriculum and evaluation…

This volume, entirely in Spanish and Pima, presents extensive descriptive information about the language spoken by the Pima of Mexico. An introductory chapter reviews the history of research on the language. The second and third chapters explain its phonology and morphology. In the fourth chapter, a number of oral histories and ethnographic texts…

This lesson is a series of activities and multi-media presentations designed to enable students to understand the historic and geographic roots of some of the problems that Central American nations have faced. Geography, history, writing, and storytelling are used as ways of understanding a multicultural world. Creative thinking and participation…

Contrary to common wisdom, the authorities of Colonial Mexico (1521-1600) were vitally concerned with the teaching of reading to the indigenous people. Alphabetic literacy was introduced in Mexico with the coming of the Franciscan friars, who brought with them many innovations and heartily set about the task of education. Some of the friars'…

These two self-contained units of study will help community college students learn about the history of Latin America. Each unit contains notes to the teachers and student readings. Students are expected to read and discuss the reading selections. In the first unit students are engaged in a comparative historical study of slavery in Brazil and in…

This publication is a collection of the presentations made at the 1977 National Seminar of the Latin American Studies Association. Each article or presentation can stand alone; together they provide a sweeping view of the complexities of Latin America and suggestions for more effective secondary and college teaching about the area. There are three…

Recent decree laws in Chile, if implemented, will eliminate all professional "colegios" (governing bodies), including those for medicine, law, and journalism, and allow them the alternative of forming free trade unions. The twenty "colegios" of Chile require university education for membership and serve as monitors of the…

Examines factors contributing to Costa Rica's peaceful status in a region of violent political conflict. Describes the country's political and educational systems, stating that its democratic government allows the country to withstand many problems typical of the region and that its high level of education allows it to maintain the highest per…

Broadening the investigation of Mexico's Porfirian political elite, the study examines the education, professional training, and alternatives to formal education of 70 Union Liberal delegates. The delegates represent a microcosm of the political leaders of the middle Porfirian period. The article also discusses the formation of the Union Liberal.…

This book's purpose is to give students an in-depth understanding of South American countries and cultures. The book approaches this understanding through examinations of statistics, maps, articles and editorials, case studies, and text of legislation. The book provides students with background for each situation, giving them a good understanding…

Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes encountered the Aztecs in 1519 and conquered them in 1521, claiming their empire for Spain. He then destroyed the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan and rebuilt a Spanish city in its ruins. In this lesson plan, it is the year 1527 and an Independent Counsel has been chosen by the College of Cardinals of the Catholic…

Describes important issues for understanding Latin American women. Concluded that while Latin American women were not equal to men, their inferiority was tempered by power resources available to them: relatives, ownership of property, participation in the labor force, and the church and courts. A course syllabus is included. (Author/DB)

Argues that the "mestizo" paradigm as a theoretical construct used in Latin American studies denies the historical and cultural contributions of Africans to Latin American society and that it is fundamentally inaccurate and racist. Discusses ways of correcting these misconceptions. (GR)

Examines how the Mexican government's penetration into 299 rural and urban counties, 1900-40, was related to growth in trade and service jobs. Emphasizes the government's support for written literacy and mass schooling as subtle strategies for incorporating peasants into urban institutions. Contains 39 references. (SV)

This guide identifies individuals born between the years 1700 and 1910 who were or are engaged in activities concerned with Latin America. The work is arranged alphabetically by broad disciplines. Information given for each individual includes professional affiliation, birthdate, date of death (if deceased), and, usually, two publications by the…