GENERALLY OFFERED EVERY OTHER YEAR · RETURNING 2027–2028
Conquest, independence, revolution—and the people who make and interpret history.
I generally teach Latin American History every other year, and I will teach it again in 2027–2028. We explore Indigenous societies, colonial rule, independence movements, and modern Latin America, with close attention to the region’s relationship with the United States.
Students read historical scholarship, primary sources, literature, and biography. They bring current events into our discussions and compare the stories told in books, films, and public memory.
LEARNING IN CONVERSATION · APRIL 2020
I always try to get students talking with historians about what they are learning. This conversation was especially meaningful.
On April 22, 2020, Peter Kornbluh of the National Security Archive joined my Latin American History students by Zoom to discuss covert U.S. policy in Latin America during the Cold War.
Before we met, students explored the Archive’s Chile Documentation Project and prepared their own questions. They could connect their reading about U.S. intervention in Chile with a conversation about how historians uncover and interpret the evidence.
BOOKS & PRIMARY SOURCES
Books and selected readings from the archived course. The daily plans show the assigned pages and seminar topics; the reading list for 2027–2028 will be updated as I prepare the course.
The course’s historical framework, from encounter and colonial rule through independence, nationalism, and the Cold War.
Indigenous accounts bring another perspective to the conquest of Mexico.
Read in seminars alongside Viva Zapata! to examine the aims and consequences of revolution.
Compare the biography with the 1996 film and evaluate its historical interpretation.
Discuss familiar narratives about Columbus and bring evidence into a debate about commemoration.
Question inherited accounts of the Americas through two historical essays.
Opening chapters support discussion of the Spanish-American War and U.S. imperialism.
A collection of primary sources used for discussion and the comparative essay.
Titles identify the readings; books are not reproduced here. See the assignment sheets for specific chapters and excerpts.
READ · DISCUSS · INVESTIGATE
We begin by questioning familiar stories about the Americas. The Broken Spears brings Indigenous accounts into our study of the conquest of Mexico. Readings on independence and its aftermath lead to comparative essays and researched podcasts about revolutionary leaders.
Mariano Azuela’s The Underdogs opens a discussion of the Mexican Revolution. Later, students compare Evita with a biography of Eva Perón, examining historical evidence and the choices filmmakers make. Their responses can take the form of an essay, podcast, video, or script.
THE WHOLE YEAR, TOGETHER
Read all 89 dated entries across 11 units on one page, with daily classwork and homework in the course’s teaching order.
Open the full-year assignment sheet ↗Print the complete year or use your browser’s Print → Save as PDF.
BROWSE THE COMPLETE COURSE
The month menu covers every month with dated lessons in this archived course. View the whole year, choose a unit, or combine both filters to narrow the daily plans.
Showing 11 of 11 units · 89 dated entries
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 1
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 11 of 11 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 1
Introductions. What are misconceptions about Latin America and Latin American history?
For Monday, please read and be prepared to discuss chapter 1 of James W. Loewen’s “1493, the True Importance of Christopher Columbus,” posted on Canvas. Also, listen to Mr. Cutler’s interview with Prof. Loewen, posted on Canvas.
The original sheet labels this date Monday; the numeric date is retained here.
Discuss James W. Loewen’s “1493, the True Importance of Christopher Columbus.”
For Tuesday, please read The New Yorker article, “Plymouth Rocked: Of Pilgrims, Puritans, and Professors,” by Jill Lepore, also posted on Canvas.
The original sheet labels this date Tuesday; the numeric date is retained here.
Debate: Should we honor Columbus with celebrating Columbus Day? What about Indigenous People’s Day? Graded debate.
No homework listed in this entry.
No School—Yom Kippur
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
Introduce biweekly current events discussion protocol. Every other Thursday, each of you will give a short (2-4 minutes) presentation on a current event in Latin America. Afterward, the class will decide which story or stories to focus on for deeper discussion, research, and analysis for the rest of class.
For Thursday, complete your first current event.
Watch “Mexico and Peru: The Black Grandma in the Closet,” with Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
For next Tuesday, please read and be prepared to discuss The Atlantic article, “1491,” by Charles C. Mann, posted on Canvas.
Discuss The New Yorker article, “Plymouth Rocked: Of Pilgrims, Puritans, and Professors,” by Jill Lepore. Graded seminar.
No homework listed in this entry.
Present current events.
No additional homework.
Watch “1491: Origins,” based on Charles C. Mann’s book.
No additional homework.
Reading period.
For Thursday, please read pages 1-29 in Born in Blood and Fire.
Discuss The Atlantic article, “1491,” by Charles C. Mann. Graded seminar.
No additional homework.
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 2
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 10 of 10 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 2
Discuss pages 1-29 in Born in Blood and Fire. Examine primary sources. Graded seminar.
For Monday, please read pages 30-48 in Born in Blood and Fire, finishing the chapter
Watch, “Engineering an Empire: The Aztecs.”
No additional homework
Discuss pages 30-48 in Born in Blood and Fire. Graded seminar.
For Friday, please read pages vii-49 in The Broken Spears: The Aztec Conquest of Mexico.
The original sheet labels this date Tuesday; the numeric date is retained here.
Reading period.
No additional homework
Current events presentations.
No additional homework.
Discuss pages vii-50 in The Broken Spears: The Aztec Conquest of Mexico. Graded seminar.
For Tuesday, please read pages 50-82 in The Broken Spears: The Aztec Conquest of Mexico.
No School—Indigenous People’s Day
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
Discuss pages 50-82 in The Broken Spears: The Aztec Conquest of Mexico. Graded seminar.
For Friday, please read pages 83-126 in The Broken Spears: The Aztec Conquest of Mexico.
Reading period.
For Tuesday, please read pages 55-75 in Born in Blood and Fire.
Discuss pages 83-126 in The Broken Spears: The Aztec Conquest of Mexico. Graded seminar.
For Monday, please read pages 127-149, where we will end.
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 3
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 7 of 7 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 3
Discuss pages 127-149, where we will end.
No additional homework.
Additional entry embedded in the original October 19 homework, labeled “Tuesday, Oct. 22”: Continue discussing pages 55-75 in Born in Blood and Fire. Please bring Latin American Voices to class.
Introduce new unit. Discuss pages 55-75 in Born in Blood and Fire.
For Friday, please read pages 76-89 in Born in Blood and Fire, finishing the chapter.
Continue discussing pages 55-75 in Born in Blood and Fire.
No additional homework.
Discuss pages 76-89 in Born in Blood and Fire.
For Monday, please read pages 76-89 in Born in Blood and Fire.
Watch "The Land," a terrific movie about Mexico under the Viceroyalty of Spain.
For Friday, please read pages 95-107 in Born in Blood and Fire.
Continue watching "The Land," a terrific movie about Mexico under the Viceroyalty of Spain..
No additional homework,
Discuss "The Land." Introduce Unit 4, "Independence."
No additional homework.
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 4
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 10 of 10 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 4
Discuss pages 95-107 in Born in Blood and Fire.
For Monday, please read pages 108-120 in Born in Blood and Fire.
Discuss pages 108-120 in Born in Blood and Fire.
For Friday, please read The Mirror of Public Opinion Bolívar, Republicanism and the United States Press, 1821-1831, by David Sowell. This is available under the extra help resources in "Modules."
Continue discussing pages 108-120 in Born in Blood and Fire.
No additional homework.
Reading day.
No additional homework.
The Mirror of Public Opinion Bolívar, Republicanism and the United States Press, 1821-1831, by David Sowell.
Take the weekend off!
Introduce semester essay project.
No additional homework.
Discuss resource materials for essay project.
Begin thinking of essay topic.
No School
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
No School
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
Discuss resource/materials for 3-4 page essay. Examine anatomy of an essay. Your first version due Dec. 6.
For Friday, please read pages 161-178, stopping right before "Models of Progress."
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 5
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 4 of 4 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 5
PODCASTS DUE TODAY
Introduce new unit
For tomorrow, please read pages 127-143, stopping right before "Continuities in Daily Life."
Review pages 127-143, stopping right before "Continuities in Daily Life." Begin video about Mexican-American War.
For Friday, please read pages 143-158, finishing the chapter.
Complete and discuss video of Mexican-American War..
No additional homework.
WORK ON PAPERS UP TO WINTER BREAK
Discuss pages 143-158, finishing the chapter.
Work on research paper until break.
No homework listed in this entry.
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 6
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 4 of 4 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 6
Discussing where we left off. The new social hierarchy.
Work on paper revisions, due Friday, Jan. 14.
Texas and the Mexican-American War.
Work on paper revisions, due Friday, Jan. 14.
Watch Episode 3 of "The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen."
For Monday, please read pages 161-178 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "Models of Progress."
Finish Episode 3 of "The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen." Discuss.
For Monday, please read pages 161-178 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "Models of Progress."
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 7
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 5 of 5 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 7
Discuss pages 161-178 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "Models of Progress."
For Thursday, please read pages 178-187, finishing the chapter.
Activity: Cinco de Mayo simulation.
No additional homework.
Revised Op-Ed Due
Discuss pages 178-187, finishing the chapter.
For Wednesday, please read Chapter 1 in "The True Flag"
No School, Teacher Work Day
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
No School, MLK Day
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 8
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 5 of 5 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 8
Introduce Spanish-American War.
No additional homework.
Discuss Chapter 1 in "The True Flag."
For Monday, please read Chapter 2 in "The True Flag."
Continue discussing Chapter 1 in "The True Flag." Reading period.
For Monday, please read Chapter 2 in "The True Flag."
Discuss Chapter 2 in "The True Flag."
For Thursday, please read pages 233-249 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "The 1930s."
Activity: Yellow Journalism Gallery Walk.
For Friday, please read pages 233-249 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "The 1930s."
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 9
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 2 of 2 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 9
Discuss pages 233-249 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "The 1930s." Introduce author Mariano Azuela's "The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution."
For tomorrow, please read pages 233-249 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "The 1930s."
Discuss pages 233-249 in Born in Blood and Fire, stopping right before "The 1930s."
For Monday, please read the foreword, introduction, and up to page 20 in Azuela's "The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution."
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 10
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 17 of 17 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 10
Discuss the foreword, introduction, and up to page 20 in Azuela's "The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution."
After the discussion, please write and submit a 5-6 sentence self-evaluation and submit it to Canvas here. Out of 10 points, what do you think you earned? Why? Also, for Thursday, please read through page 69 in "The Underdogs," finishing Part 1.
Reading day.
No additional homework.
Rescheduled
Discuss through page 69 in "The Underdogs," finishing Part 1.
After the discussion, please write and submit a 5-6 sentence self-evaluation and submit it to Canvas here. Out of 10 points, what do you think you earned? Why? Also, for Thursday, please read to page 103 in "The Underdogs," reading through Chapter X.
Rescheduled
Watch first part of "Viva Zapata!"
No additional homework.
Rescheduled
Watch second part of "Viva Zapata!"
No additional homework.
Discuss through page 69 in "The Underdogs," finishing Part 1. Start "Viva Zapata!"
No additional homework.
Continue "Viva Zapata!"
For Monday, please read the rest of the "The Underdogs," ending on page 134. Also, after the discussion, please write and submit a 5-6 sentence self-evaluation and submit it to Canvas here. Out of 10 points, what do you think you earned? Why?
Finish "Viva Zapata!"
For Tuesday, please read the rest of the "The Underdogs," ending on page 134. Also, after the discussion, please write and submit a 5-6 sentence self-evaluation and submit it to Canvas here. Out of 10 points, what do you think you earned? Why?
Finish "Viva Zapata!" Discuss.
After the discussion, please write and submit a 5-6 sentence self-evaluation and submit it to Canvas here. Out of 10 points, what do you think you earned? Why?
Part I: Discuss "The Underdogs," ending on page 134.
No additional homework.
Current events.
No additional homework.
Work on paper, due Wednesday.
Work on "Underdogs" project, due next Friday. Also, for Tuesday, please read pages 233-249 in "Born in Blood and Fire," stopping right before "ISI and Activist Governments of the 1930s."
NO SCHOOL — PRESIDENTS' DAY
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
Discuss pages 233-249 in "Born in Blood and Fire," stopping right before "ISI and Activist Governments of the 1930s."
For Thursday, please read pages 249-261, finishing the chapter.
Discuss pages 249-261, finishing the chapter.
Work on completing final touches for "Underdogs" project for tomorrow.
Current events.
For Monday, please read pages 267-275 in "Born in Blood and Fire," stopping right before "Onset of the Cold War."
SPRING BREAK
Discuss pages 267-275 in "Born in Blood and Fire," stopping right before "Onset of the Cold War."
No homework listed in this entry.
ARCHIVED CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK · UNIT 11
Read each day below: In class shows the work students do together; Homework / preparation shows what they complete outside class and when it is due. Search within this unit, or use the course-wide unit and month filters above.
Showing 14 of 14 dated entries · 2021–2022 · Unit 11
Finish "Evita" film. Begin/continue reading for Wednesday.
For Thursday, please read pages 1-27 in "Evita."
Introduce "Evita" project. Reading period. Be prepared for reading quizzes.
For Friday, please read pages 28-48 in "Evita."
The original sheet labels this date Thursday; the numeric date is retained here.
Discuss pages 1-27 in "Evita."
No additional homework.
Discuss pages 28-48 in "Evita."
For Monday, please read pages 49-68 in "Evita."
Discuss pages 49-68 in "Evita". Second half, reading period.
For tomorrow, please read pages 69-87 in "Evita."
Discuss pages 69-87 in "Evita." Second half, reading period.
For Monday, please read pages 88-133 in "Evita."
Mr. Cutler away at Journalism Conference
Reading period.
No additional homework.
No School—Parent-Teacher Conferences
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
Part 1 of discussing pages 88-133 in "Evita."
For Friday, please read pages 134-167 in "Evita."
Part 2 of Discussing pages 88-133 in "Evita."
No additional homework.
Reading period.
No additional homework.
Discuss pages 134-167 in "Evita."
For Tuesday, please complete the book, "Evita."
No School—Patriot's Day
No classwork listed in this entry.
No homework listed in this entry.
Finish discussing "Evita."
You have the next two weeks to work on your final Latin American History project.
READ · PRINT · REVIEW
Find classroom handouts, primary sources, readings, and review activities. Each resource shows where it belongs and what it helps students practice. Source labels distinguish my AI-assisted materials from archive documents and outside readings. You are welcome to share resource links. Open “Sharing links & using materials” for guidance on copying or adapting the content itself. Other websites may have their own access requirements.
7 resources
The Gator · April 22, 2020
National Security Archive · George Washington University
The New Yorker · April 24, 2006
The Atlantic · March 2002
My teaching instructions · 2021–2022 archive
My teaching instructions · 2021–2022 archive
My teaching instructions · 2021–2022 archive