In project # 1 for this course I was to find definitions for words such as humanities, culture, literature, and socio-economics. Finding the definitions for the words allowed me to understand what I would be studying within this course, and it also gave me insight into the meaning of the words within the context of humanities.
In project # 2 I studied the Guaran�. In the fertile, wooded, eastern region of Paraguay lived numerous tribes of the Guarani-speaking Indians who inhabited much of the southeastern part of the continent. Semi-nomadic warriors, they had no wheel, plow, draft animals, or metals. The word Guarani means "warrior." Like modern Paraguayans, the Guarani are friendly and hospitable, but fierce and stubborn in battle.
The Guarani were a people of the forest and their word for Paradise or heaven was Yv�ga, which means "a place of abundant fruit trees." Their language, which was largely onomatopoeic in origin, still preserves the sounds of the forest. Their religious mythology allowed them to live in harmony with the prolific plant and animal life around them
In project# 4 I studied Gran Colombia. As victory over Spain became increasingly apparent, leaders from present-day Venezuela, Colombia, and Panana convened a congress in February 1819 in Angostura (present-day Ciudad Bol�var, Venezuela) and agreed to unite in a republic to be known as Gran Colombia. After Bol�var was ratified as president in August 1819, he left Santander, his vice president, in charge of Gran Colombia and traveled south to liberate present-day Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Bol�var's followers supported a more authoritarian and centralized government, and many, especially those in Bogot�, called on Bol�var to assume national authority until he deemed it wise to convoke a new legislative body to replace Congress.
In project # 5 I studied The Soccer War. The futbol war happened. People died. Even a silly war, like this one. It isn't hard to imagine a soccer game serving to start a war in this region, but the fighting that erupted between Honduras and El Salvador in July 1969, had been building up for a long time before the sporting event that provided the "Futbol War" label.
This course has broadened my view, not only of Latin America but also of the world. I now have a fuller understanding of how broad my focus must be, and how I must set aside my prejudices if I am to truly discover a culture or a people. I must admit that I never thought that I would ever have interest in Latin American Humanities before this semester but this class has really struck some interest in my mind. I look forward to many more class that have Latin American Humanities as the core of learning.
