Social Studies: Economics, International Relations, and Political Science. Latin American Curriculum Units for Junior and Community Colleges.

Publications Department, Institute of Latin American Studies, Sid Richardson Hall 1.310, Austin, TX 78712 ($4.95).

N

89

National Endowment for the Humanities (NFAH), Washington, DC.

Communication Problems; Developing Nations; Economics Education; International Relations; Latin American Culture; Political Science; Population Growth; Social Studies; Two Year Colleges; Units of Study

978-0-86728-005-0

These three self-contained units of study will help community college students learn about the economics, international relations, and politics of Latin America. Each unit can be used independently and contains introductory notes for instructors, student materials, and a bibliography. Students are expected to read and discuss the reading selections provided. The first unit deals with Latin American economic life. Introductory notes for instructors include discussions of four facets of economic development, reasons why Latin America provides a good model for studying third world economics, and Latin America's relationship to the rest of the Third World. Students read about the perceptions of the international system; the internal organization of Latin American economic life; the modern, criollo, and modified indigenous sectors; different economic formations; and geography and institutions. The second unit deals with the problems of international communication between the United States and Mexico. The introductory section for teachers suggests topics for student oral presentations. Themes for classroom discussion are also included in this unit. Students read about and discuss Mexico in U.S. history and the United States in Mexican history; asymmetrical perceptions and relationships; internal structural changes influencing communications; and possibilities for improving communications. The third unit is concerned with the changes resulting from rapid population growth in Latin America, and more specifically in Mexico. Students gain an understanding of population growth in less developed countries and learn about some of the changes and problems it can create, economically, socially, and politically. (Author/RM)

1982

ED215942