HILA 100A

Introductory Seminar

Public Relationships

Herbert Braun

This seminar is designed as a challenging introduction to academic life for first year students at The University of Virginia.  It is an intensive experience in reading and writing, and in listening and participating in collective discussions.  It is also an introduction to history and to forms of historical understanding that the instructor refers to as “soft thinking:” In the public relationships, the conflicts and compromises, between, say, men and women, Indians and Spaniards, the middle class and the lower class, workers and owners, the conjunction “AND” is often more meaningful and revealing than is the word “OR.”   And this course is also an advanced introduction to the history of Latin America.   Students in this seminar will work harder, and at a more demanding level, than in many courses at the 200 and 300 levels, including those taught by this instructor. 

 As participants in this seminar you will read eight complicated historical monographs (history books); write four interpretative essays of five pages each and one final essay of six pages, all on themes and subjects that emerge from the readings and the discussions, and are of your own making (not assigned by the instructor);  and lead and contribute to class discussions.   The quality of our conversations will emerge from your open and engaged attitudes, your willingness to appreciate and question the readings, your own thoughts, and those of others, as well as your ability to listen to others and to help them along when they are having trouble formulating a thought.   Our class conversations will be an example of cooperation rather than of competition. 

Grading

Essays 1-4:  10% each; Final essay, 20%; Class participation, 40%.  There are no examinations in this course.  Your work will have been completed on December 6.

Texts