Artifact 1. The House of the Spirits Major Assessment

During the spring trimester in Latin American Literature students read Isabell Allende’s novel The House of the Spirits.  A sweeping work covering the history Chile, from the First World War to the coup in 1973 by way of the del Valle family. 

The novel provides an opportunity to explore topics ranging from life in Chile pre and post World War, the United States involvement in Latin America during revolutions, and allows for thoughtful contemporary connections both historically and artistically. 

In tandem with reading The House of the Spirits students explore the United States involvement in the 1973 coup in Chile by way of declassified CIA documents, interviews, and historical research.  The culminating  project provides students with multiple ways to show their knowledge: individual historical research and analysis, discussion and debate, presentation, and creative representation of their findings.

Sample projects:

In the samples below students explore a topic of their choosing related to the 1973 coup and represent it by creating a classified document of their own.  Students select an individual they are interested in learning more about connected to life in Chile in the 1970’s from politicians to musicians and artists.  Students present their documents and present their findings to the class.