In order to bring music of Puerto Rico to the general music classroom, it is important to understand the sociocultural and sociohistorical context of the music. The traditional genre of plena shares cultural threads with West Africa, Spain, and indigenous (Taíno) culture. Commonly known as "El Periodico Cantado" (the singing newspaper),…

This article focuses on university students' understanding of the concept of nation. First an analysis of this concept from a historiographical point of view is presented. This allows for distinguishing between different conceptions of the nation related to 3 main approaches: the romantic, the modernist, and the ethnosymbolic approaches. Based on…

This paper analyzes the Spanish appropriation of one of the great French eighteenth-century best-sellers, the "Spectacle de la Nature" (1732-1750) by the "abbe" Antoine Noel Pluche. In eight volumes, the "abbe" discussed current issues in natural philosophy, such as Newtonianism, the origin of fossils, artisan…

Prepared by the staff of the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio, this pamphlet is one of a series which reports contributions made by ethnic groups to the history and culture of Texas. Specifically, historical incidents involving Spanish explorers and missionaries are discussed, relating their contributions to Texas.…

This collective biography offers insight into the more famous and infamous women in Mexico's history and weaves the tale of how their ways and deeds have shaped both a culture and a nation. The book starts with the conquest and ends with the twentieth century, outlining the lives of Mexican women and their causes. The women described in the book…

Presented here is a collection of the life stories of 15 famous Navajo leaders. The document explores the eventful, often tragic, history of the Navajo Tribe from the time of Narbona (1773), when Navajoland was Spanish territory, to the present. The document presents this historical account in a manner that reflects the pride and dignity of the…

Four booklets present articles on Spanish language and culture aimed at teachers of Spanish in the United States for student use in their classes. Number 17, "Los Jovenes Espanoles" (Spanish Youth), includes articles on Spanish youth sports, music, gangs, thoughts, and t-shirt slogans: (1) "Young Spanish Athletes"; (2)…

Focusing on the ultimate fate of the Cuartelejo and/or Paloma Apaches known in archaeological terms as the Dismal River people of the Central Plains, this book is divided into 2 parts. The early Apache (1525-1700) and the Jicarilla Apache (1700-1800) tribes are studied in terms of their: persistent cultural survival, social/political adaptability,…

A brief historical review of the American Indian in California from prehistoric to modern times indicates the hardships and economic disadvantages which the Indians have suffered in the acculturation process. Discussion of the treaties which were negotiated and the Federal legislation which was passed indicates an attempt on the part of modern day…