CHILEAN CULTURE OD Course

Course Syllabus
CHILEAN CULTURE OD Course
A. General Information
1. Academic Unit
International Relations Office
2. Degree
Other Disciplines (Basic)
3. Code
RI0145
4. Number of classes per
week
5. Location in Curriculum
2 sessions (Two-1.5-hour sessions, 3 hours total)
6. Credits
8
7. Classes (hours) by
Theory
1st & 2nd Year Students
3
Practice -
Professor
8. Classes by Teaching
None
Assistant
9. Course Type
Mandatory
10. Prerequisite
None
Elective
X
Optional
B. Contribution to the Graduate’s Profile
UDD has committed itself to train its students through an educational model that foster a
sound academic education. With regards to such purpose, the so-called Other Basic
Discipline Courses (OD, for its acronym in Spanish) have been set. These courses aim at
having students encouraged and interested in those knowledge areas different than their
regular professional training, but that undoubtedly turns out to be fundamental and
essential for every professional and graduate student while studying.
Taking this point of view into consideration, the main purpose and emphasis shall be
placed on broadening students’ cultural, scientific, business, historical, political, literary
and artistic backgrounds, while providing them with the possibility of finding out the links
that relate join the different disciplines together.
The “Chilean Culture” OD Course aims at assisting students explore different cultural and
historical issues in order to gain a better understanding of those concepts and dynamics
that make Chilean society work. It also stands out different geographical / social features
to convey the greatness of the country’s unique characteristics.
* Este programa puede ser objeto de modificación al inicio del periodo
académico*
* This syllabus may be subject to change at the beginning of the semester*
In order to achieve this goal, the Course has been structured in four Units: “Everyday Life
& Customs”, “Historical Events, Business & Politics, “Archeology, Art & People’s
Expression”, and “The Country and Natural Disasters”.
Students will be encouraged to participate in class, to analyze written and audio-visual
material, to carry out oral presentations and debates about material and topics dealing with
past and present issues, as well as attitudes and perceptions prevailing in specific areas of
the country. Summarizing, students shall be required to build and express welldocumented opinions regarding this subject matter.
C.
Skills & Learning Outcomes of the Course
a) Encourage critical thinking and research to analyze and understand information
about the various historical, social and cultural aspects of Chilean culture, from
past to present times.
b) Develop English language written and oral communication skills to argue and
analyze those topics relevant to the course.
c) Conduct research activities with regards to different topics to be analyzed and
discussed in oral presentations and debates.
d) Develop a critical sense of thinking with the purpose of building and stating a wellfounded point of view about Chilean cultural and historical heritage.
e) Develop teamwork and cooperative skills.
f) Show respect toward different and often opposing perspectives regarding a given
topic.
g) Value teamwork as a chance of interaction and discussion for a better approach
and understanding regarding diversity and multiculturalism.
D.
Units, Unit Content and Learning Outcomes.
Content of Units/Units
Learning Outcome
* Este programa puede ser objeto de modificación al inicio del periodo
académico*
* This syllabus may be subject to change at the beginning of the semester*
Unit 1:
Everyday Life & Customs

Daily routines. Definition of core
concepts: culture, civilization, identity,
folklore, etc.

Leisure activities and sports

Education.

Past & current customs.

Lifestyles: fashion vs. the traditional
Unit 2:
Historical Events, Business and
Politics

Aboriginal People. Past & Present.

Outstanding leaders: profile and
achievements

Economic activity: product, natural
resources, industry, and trade routes.

Chilean politics from the mid nineteenth
century up to now.
Identify the differences between past and
present, urban and rural life in Chile.
Apply gained conceptual knowledge to specific
study cases.
Analyze cultural processes based on different
interpretations and viewpoints.
Develop abilities aiming at presenting and
discussing meaningful topics in an open forum.
Become aware of the historical, cultural and
economic issues involved in shaping the
country’s culture.
Analyze and understand different cultural
features within a common natural culture.
Research works aiming at understanding
various causes and effects regarding cultural
expressions within a common national culture.
Identify different stages of an evolving identity
that reaches present, urban and rural life in
Chile.
Overview of Chile’s ups and downs regarding
its political history: from traditional politicians in
the nineteenth and early twentieth century,
through the political turmoil in the 1960’s and
70’s, towards the present: Did we learn the
lessons?
Unit 3:
Archeology & Natural Wonders

Archeological sites and ruins.

Tourism & National Parks

Art, folklore, literature, music.

Geographical features

Religion
Conduct research works with regards to a
given topic, stating pints of view through oral
presentations and written essays.
Understand cultural development as a result of
tradition and change.
Discuss, assess and understand different
subjects in order to communicate findings and
conclusions.
* Este programa puede ser objeto de modificación al inicio del periodo
académico*
* This syllabus may be subject to change at the beginning of the semester*
Unit 4:
The Country and Natural Disasters


Overview of Natural Disasters in
Chile’s recent history (Twentieth &
Twenty First centuries)
Chilean soul and natural disasters.
Account of natural disasters in the past century
and present: consequences regarding material
aspects and how Chilean way of being has
been shaped through such events.
Living in the verge of “nature’s anger”: what
lessons have we learned and how this has
shaped our personality.
E. Teaching Strategies
This course shall be given in English and will be carried out based on various
methodologies.
Teaching method will be based on lectures conducted by the professor by using written
material and audio-visual aids. Likewise, team or group work is performed by means of
which students are expected to do oral presentations and group discussions based on the
material and information that has been provided, as well their own experiences and
information about the topics to be dealt about in class. Supporting material may include
texts, photographs and videos provided by the teacher or students.
F. Evaluation
Every evaluation procedure aims at being consistent the teaching methodology as well as
with the course contents. Therefore, constant evaluations shall be applied by means of
different assessment tools, based on early delivered guidelines stating clear evaluation
criteria.

2 Written Midterm Tests
25% c/u
-
2 Research Works to be developed as oral presentations
20% c/u
-
Research work to be handed in as a written paper
10%
Academic Term Grade Average (Nota de Presentación)
100%
(Term Grade Average for Final Exam to be Computed as):
60%)
Final Written Exam Average
40%
-
Attendance Requirement:
* Este programa puede ser objeto de modificación al inicio del periodo
académico*
* This syllabus may be subject to change at the beginning of the semester*
This OD (Other Basic Disciplines) Course requires compulsory attendance. Students are
allowed to miss 6 lessons at the most, to be computed from the Adding or Cancelling a
given subject matter period, which is stated in the University Academic Schedule.
Since no class absences are to be justified (only tests or evaluation absences have to be
justified), students should “make use of such 6 maximum absences, in case of
emergencies, sicknesses or similar relevant situations.
* Este programa puede ser objeto de modificación al inicio del periodo
académico*
* This syllabus may be subject to change at the beginning of the semester*
G. Bibliography & Class Resources

Bengoa, José; Historia del Pueblo Mapuche, Siglos XIX y XX.

Eyzaguirre, Jaime. Breve Historia de las Fronteras de Chile. Santiago, Editorial Universitaria,
LOM Ediciones, 2000.
2000.

Francisco Antonio Encina & Leopoldo Castedo (1940 – 1952); “Tomo II: La Colonia y la
Ilustración”. Historia de Chile desde la Prehistoria hasta 1891. Santiago. ISBN 956-8402-70-5.

Gabriel Salazar, Julio Pinto. Historia Contemporánea de Chile, 1808-1994”, by Cambridge Latin
American Studies, first published 1996, reprinted 1997, 1998, 1999; Cambridge University
Press.

Subercaseaux, Bernardo; “Historia de las Ideas y de la Cultura de Chile”; Vol III; Editorial
Universitaria, 2011.

Villalobos, Sergio; “Historia del Pueblo Chileno”; Editorial Zig-Zag, Santiago de Chile, 1980.

Material provided by the teacher, based on papers and Internet websites.
* Este programa puede ser objeto de modificación al inicio del periodo
académico*
* This syllabus may be subject to change at the beginning of the semester*