States that iconographic investigations of Olmec style art works have produced convincing evidence that rulership during the Early and Middle Formative Period of Mesoamerican prehistory was publicly legitimized by a visual charter. Shows that the charter's naturally derived symbols functioned within a system which stressed the human ruler's access…

Offers an overview of Later Formative period writing in Mesoamerica, and discusses recent findings. Asserts that analysis of the iconographic context of the script reveals considerable interdependence between text and context and provides a glimpse of the importance of cosmological considerations in the display of power. Discusses the importance…

Summarizes the nature of the pre-Hispanic pictorial communication system used by the Mixtec people of Mexico, who were creating manuscripts in which they recorded their histories, genealogies, and religious beliefs long before the Spanish reached the New World. Explains and illustrates the principal pictorial conventions. (PRA)

This paper describes the lives of some notable women in the history of Chile from the time of the conquistadors to the present. The significant women described in the paper include: (1) Ines de Suarez (accompanied Pedro de Validivia in 1544); (2) Micaela Bastidas Puyucahua (wife of Incan leader Jose Gabriel Tupac Amaru, about 1780); (3) Gabriela…

Designed for horticulture, horticulture therapy, and botany students at Edmonds Community College (Washington), this 6-hour module explores the pre-Columbian use of plant materials in Peru and its relationships to cultural practices in modern Peru. The first sections provide basic information about the module, such as its objectives, the concepts…

The first section of this guide discusses topics such as the methods used to select educational films, their quality, the uses and values of films in the college classroom. After a brief section covering how to use the guide, 65 films that deal with Latin America and are recommended for use in conjunction with college courses in Latin American…

Provides an extensive annotated bibliography of materials on 18th century Latin America. The bibliography is divided into three sections: An introductory overview; selected topics such as The Enlightenment and women; and major regions. (AEM)

This information pack tells the story of one of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the Maya of Guatemala. It covers Mayan culture and daily life as well as the discrimination experienced by the Maya and the fight for human rights in Guatemala. Containing a wealth of activities designed for mixed ability classes, the pack also can be used for…

Argues that the development of the educational system in Latin America is strongly linked with patterns of accumulation of capital and with the changing character of political regimes. The low status of adult education is due to the socioeconomic characteristics of its potential clientele and their lack of political power. (Author/CS)

Describes historical and contemporary social relations in the Oaxaca Valley, Mexico, in order to illustrate fallacies in the folk-urban dichotomy that arise when spatial distribution is treated as a cultural characteristic. (Author/GC)

Presents a bibliographic review essay on Latin American families. The essay is presented in three major categories: (1) the family and enterprise; (2) the family--different regions, time periods, and socioeconomic conditions and (3) family networks. Entries include historical literature and articles in the English language, films, and novels. (DB)

Describes the American Indian "Holocaust," decimation of Indian populations following European discovery of the Americas. European and African diseases, warfare with Europeans, and genocide reduced native populations from 75 million to only a few million. Discusses population statistics and demographic effects of epidemics, continuing infection,…

Examines uses of history writing in the United States, assessing it for Mexican-American stereotyping. Describes development of Chicano history, a rejection of perspectives based on values of dominant Anglo society. Assesses Chicano historians' accounts of colonialism in American Southwest, once Mexico. Describes colonialism as socioeconomic…

Examines increased interest in Latin American studies initiated by Cuban Revolution of Fidel Castro. Identifies and compares older historiography which evolved in Latin America and newer efforts which have emanated from the United States. Suggests that a changing political and economic climate and different emphasis in methodology are affecting…

Reviews the life of Columbus and European conditions that led to the age of exploration. Discusses how the ethnocentric legend of the "discovery" of America grew as part of the glorious history of Western civilization. Examines the doctrine of discovery as a European agreement legitimizing exploitation of indigenous peoples. (SV)