In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, unaware he had discovered a new continent. This event marked the beginning of the Conquest of the New World. The conquest led to profound transformations: it facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, but also led to the exploitation of indigenous peoples, the collapse of ancient civilisations, and the imposition of colonial rule. Today, the legacy of this complex history is embedded in many of the tourist destinations we visit from colonial-era cities to ancient indigenous sites - making the conquest a crucial chapter in understanding the cultural and historical essence of the Americas.
- Hybrid (F2F & Online simultaneously)
- Spanish Conquests in the Americas: Includes a brief introduction of the discovery, and the fall of the indigenous empires of the Aztec in Mexico, and Inca in South America.
- Spanish and Portuguese Colonies: Missionary work and colonial rule.
- The Legacy of the Conquest: Colonial system, cultural mixing, landmarks, ruins and cities that are integral to modern tourism in the Americas.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Gain a general understanding of the discovery and conquest of the Americas, with a focus on colonies in Central and South America.
- Identify landmarks, archaeological sites, historic cities, and cultural traditions that originated during or as a result of the Conquest.
