FALL 2003 SEMINAR

The Latin American City in Memory, Myth, and History
Perspectives on Contemporary Urban Issues

DATES: October 15, November 19, December 3 (Weds, 9 AM - 4 PM).

ABSTRACT: Urban space has been the key center of economic, social and political development throughout the history of Latin America. In this Teachers As Scholars seminar, we will be examining consistencies and changes in the city paying particular attention to urban space as an idealization of social geography while contrasting those notions with the realities of everyday life. We will focus on these issues through scholarly discourse in books and articles as well as seminar discussions of urban development using maps, schemas, charts, paintings and photography. To lend contrast to the sharp delineation of the Latin American urban ideal, we will view a variety of contemporary films from Latin America. The seminar will culminate with a discussion of the rise of the dystopic mega-city and what that portends for the present and future of Latin America.

The contents of the seminar are particularly effective in promoting and advancing literacy skills. The materials are applicable across the grades and disciplines but especially to teaching world history and nation building in the contemporary world, as well as geography electives and international relations. Since a number of the cities discussed are places of origin for many Los Angeles County students, enrollment in the seminar helps teachers better understand their students.

READINGS:
* Selections from I Saw a City Invincible: Urban Portraits of Latin America
* Riots in the Cities: Popular Politics and the Urban Poor in Latin America
* "Civilizing" Rio: Reform and Resistance in a Brazilian City

FILMS:
* Amores Perros -- Alejandro González Iñarritu's internationally acclaimed debut film recounts three tales that unfold and intertwine on the brutal streets of Mexico City.
* Orfeu -- Carlos Diegues' work, set in the favelas of Rio, swirls in the luster of Carnaval and the preparation which Rio’s common folk lend to participate in the annual bacchanalian celebration
* City of God -- Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund acclaimed story of two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro who take two different life paths: one becomes a photographer, the other a drug dealer.
* Mixed Feelings: San Diego/Tijuana is about these cities and the region’s inevitable transnational future. The documentary explores such as issues architecture, urbanism and rapid globalization.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Steven C. Williams received his Ph.D. in history from UCLA in 1994.
Dr. Williams has lived and traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Brazil. He has taught at a number of universities including Middlebury College, the University of New Mexico, and UCLA. Williams is currently Coordinator of Internet Applications for Academic Computing at CSU Dominguez Hills, and an affiliate of the UCLA Latin American Center.

Sponsored by the UCLA International Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation

For more information call 310.206.8631