HIST 496B Thesis: Latin America and the Southwestern U.S., 1492-2012
We will study the political, cultural, and religious history of Latin America and the U.S.-Mexico borderlands from the colonial period to ca. 2000. Thesis topics include Spanish exploration and settlement in colonial Latin America; the history of California, Texas and the U.S.-Mexico borderlands; relations between people of different racial, religious and cultural backgrounds; the history of the Catholic Church and other institutions; the careers of key figures in Latin American and U.S. history; social movements; and other themes that students may wish to explore. No prior study of the places, periods, or topics covered in the course is required.
In recent years, students have written theses on topics that fall outside the main topics of this section. I will be happy to meet during the spring with students who wish to explore this option.
Prerequisite
Open to History majors and minors only