This text consists of four parts. The first is an essay that draws from the most recent research on the topic at hand. The purpose of the essay is to provide the student with an overview of the topic and to stimulate conversation and composition. The second section consists of activities designed to activate the reading, including comprehension questions, thought questions, vocabulary exercises, and topics for speaking and writing. The third section, entitles Otras voces, includes a literary selection by a Hispanic writer on the subject of the chapter. Its purpose is to provide alternate perspectives, to encourage critical thinking, and to kindle debate. The final section includes exercises on the reading. The essays are written in a style that is direct and accessible to undergraduates. In order to focus studentsAE attention on important concepts, key words have been boldfaced. In the literary selection, footnotes elucidate different terms, enabling students to read easily without having constant recourse to the dictionary. The glossary at the end of the book will further facilitate reading. In addition to providing a panoramic view of contemporary Latin American culture, the text stimulates the development of reading and critical thinking skills through essays, stories and poems representing diverse perspectives. Many of the selections were written by Latin AmericaAEs greatest writers. The book spurs vocabulary development through carefully constructed exercises and provides topics for conversation and composition."
