Venezuela: The Effect of Oil Discovery on People, the Environment, and on Democracy
ENVS 283
Fall 2022
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
LAST 383 |
This course will examine the key factors that have affected the development of Venezuela and its environment from the pre-colonial period to the present. We will divide the history of Venezuela into two critical periods: before and after the discovery of oil. We will ask questions about the nature and interactions of the key factors and agents that transformed Venezuela from a colony to that of an economically independent country. By examining the pre- and post-oil economic periods separately, we will learn that the key factors, such as agriculture, land use, and European-colonial influence, changed dramatically, thereby transforming many sociopolitical institutions. The contrasts will include resilience to and eradication of diseases, human rights and slavery, land ownership, human health, impacts on biodiversity and human health, and protections of indigenous cultures. Ultimately we will examine the factors that have led to the collapse of democracy. We will read an interdisciplinary literature that includes anthropology, religion, sociology, environmental sciences, law, and history. The course is presented in a reading/discussion format in which all readings, writings, and discussions will be in Spanish. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS ENVS |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: SPAN221 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ENVS-MN)(ENVS)(HRAD-MN)(LAST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
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