Schedule of Events

The purpose of this research aims at taking a deeper look at the inequality gap between Latin America's richest and poorest countries and how the gap continues to grow. The evidence used in this research investigates the socioeconomic structure of each country in Latin America by comparing things such as, population, income per capita, different ethnic groups, access to public health, access to education, etc. The information used exhibits the economic progress that has been made in Latin American countries and how there are still many countries that fall behind. The research also shows how many problems arise and vary depending on the socioeconomic status of the country. The materials used to gather evidence for this research come from scholarly articles and published sources. 

This research project seeks to analyze the current state of the education systems of Honduras and Argentina. Subsequently, this analysis will be compared to the current state of education in the United States. It highlights the demographic, economic, social and cultural differences of each country and how they affect each of the countries differently in regards to education. Also pursued in this project is a close inquiry of the teacher preparation procedures and teaching methods used inside the classrooms of each country. Finally, a conclusion is reached by means of displaying the consequences that each educative system has on each of the three countries.

Shamans and Healers hold a large importance in both the cultural and religious history of Latin America. However, they are not just a thing of the past. Today,  idigenous tribes throughout Latin America still have practicing Shamans and Healers. Each country and their tribes have Shamans and Healers, yet the elements of their ceremonies differ. The purpose of this paper is to specifically look at the Latin American countries of Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Paraguay to compare and contrast the elements used by Shamans and Healers in each countries' indigenous ceremonies. This will be achieved through extensive research of the history of Shamans and Healers in each individual country, as well as research of the ceremonies and their elements that are still practiced today. 

When compared to other Latin American countries, Mexico and Cuba have yielded the highest number of immigrants to the United States. Due to the sub-par health care systems of Cuba and Mexico, high percentages of preventable diseases are present among their respective populations. Tuberculosis, influenza, and other diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are a few examples of these preventable conditions. In order to better understand these high rates of preventable diseases, various data and literature about health in Mexico and Cuba were analyzed and interpreted. This analysis revealed that Mexican citizens who live in poverty cannot afford insurance, and are therefore unable to pay for treatment. This lack of insurance was not present in Cuba. Instead, higher rates of preventable diseases in Cuba are attributable to improper sanitation, immunization, and administration of medication. This information can provide the U.S. healthcare systems greater insight on disease origin, and how healthcare providers can protect both immigrants and U.S. citizens. 

In recent years, the laws and the attitudes towards homosexuality in Latin America have changed drastically in some places and very little in others. In countries like Uruguay and Brazil much has changed, while in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic the situation is the opposite. The way in which the transition towards homosexual acceptance happened varies according to different situations, for example, the political positions of some countries, leaning towards a leftist point of view and institutions such as the Catholic Church and the military dictatorships, in places like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and other Latin American countries. It is important to bring this subject to light because society in general has been striving for a more progressive way of life in most countries. This reseach focuses on issues and laws regarding homosexuality in Latin America in order to gain an insight needed to see how some countries could be more progressive. 

Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico has two newspapers, El Occidental and El Informador. Research into each publication’s history and viewpoints reveal a rationale for each to continue to exist and be successful. An analysis of the two newspapers includes the similarities and differences of each along with a brief history to give perspective of their origins. The difference in the dates of the creation of each publication results in each newspaper brings a unique opinion based on the publications’ histories. As each offer a unique perspective, they provide a balanced perspective of news.

Since the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and the Catholic faith to Mexico in the 1500s, religious art (especially in the form of Exvotos and Retablos) has become an integral part of the Mexican culture.  Exvotos and Retablos allow all for individual expression of gratitude and thankfulness to God, Jesus, Mary and other saints in exchange for divine assistance during times of need (injury, sickness, etc).  These paintings do not only serve as a form of thanksgiving, but also as a human connection to the divine world that enables the individual to have both a private and public relationship with God and the saints. The goal of this project is to uncover and examine the social and religious roles and functions of Exvotos and Retablos within the Mexican culture, using a variety of scholarly web articles and books. These research materials discuss the history, characteristics, purposes, modern changes, and additional information about these types of religious art.  

Although Latin America is well known for its intensely Catholic affinities, there is a recent surge in popularity of the Protestant side of Christianity. The Catholic Church has maintained a monopoly on religion in Latin America since its establishment in the 16th Century, maintaining that control for several centuries. It was not until the 19th Century when there was an intensification of interest in other religions, primarily that of Protestantism and in the 20th Century other forms of Christianity began to become popular in countries throughout Central and South America. This research project focuses on the development of Protestantism in its various denominations as they became popular throughout Latin America and compares the various denominations to Catholicism in their presence in the 21st Century. Through an investigation of various religious and social studies conducted throughout the continent and a review of the history of the Protestantism in its expansion evidence can be gathered regarding the increase in popularity throughout the region. There is also evidence supporting the cultural connections Protestantism has with various indigenous populations. Though it is not by any means the most popular religious branch of Christianity, Latin America has an important connection to Protestantism and it will continue to increase in popularity in years to come. 

Mexico’s third root refers to Afro-Mexicans. The purpose of this research is to provide a better understanding of the Afro-Mexican presence in the Mexican culture and how the Afro-Mexicans have been legally discriminated in their own country.  This research project aims to inform how the Afro-Mexican population has been neglected by their own country. It was until late 2015 that Mexico began to recognize their population of African descent. The information shows how a country’s structure of education of what is being taught can create ignorance for their citizens. All the information for this research project comes from other published sources. 

This investigative report will be on the culture and history of wine in Latinamerica. It will discuss the history of how wine first got to the country through the European Conquerers and then discuss the culture of the wine today in Latinamerica. It will be looking at the subtle differences as well as similarities to the cultures surrounding wine in other parts of the world as well as the process of winemaking specifically in Chile and Argentina. It will also look at the different styles of wine that are predominantly made in these parts and look into why they specialize in certain types of wine. In all the essay will start with a brief overlook of the history and culture of wine in Latinamerica and condense down to more specific aspects as the essay goes on. The research will come from both primary and secondary documents dating all the way back to the colonial era in Latinaamerica. Information on the culture today will mostly come from documentaries and interviews with Vineyards in Latinamerica.

The Mexican cinema illustrates the history of Mexico. The cinema is a style of entertainment that has been suitable to the Mexican community for over one hundred years. The purpose of creating the cinema was to entertain the audience by teaching them and guiding them through a sequence of events. Even though Mexicans adapted to the idea of the cinema eight months after its triumphant premier in Italy, it is best known for its Golden Era (1936-1959). During this period, Mexico developed the most outstanding directors and actors. The Golden Era proved that Mexico had become a considerable competitor for the cinema industry. The Mexican cinema has also incorporated ideas from the social crises that Mexico has experienced. Mexico’s cinema has been translated to different languages, as well as it has premiered in different countries around the world. The films expose the different phases Mexico has survived.