Through the late 19th century, Cuba attempted to rid itself of Spanish colonial rule. The USA - belatedly - came to their aid...... and then found it very hard to leave ! The aim of the 1959 revolution in Cuba was not just to assert self-rule, but to end the corrupting influence that the USA had exercised in treating Cuba as its playground. The tensions between the two nations have never gone away. It is truly extraordinary that an independent Cuba has managed to survive everything that the USA has thrown at it - and the catastrophic collapse of its principal supporter - the USSR. But survive it has. With the passing of the revolutionary generation, will a new, pragmatic Cuba need to emerge ? Or will its spirit of independent self-determination carry on ? (And where does China fit into all of this.....?)
Course aim
It can seem hugely puzzling that a "communist" state lies just 70 miles away from the USA - and at the same time, the US has a military base within that state ....there must be an extraordinary reason for this - and there is ! A tangled history!
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- describe clearly the long involvement of the USA in the affairs of Cuba.
- explain and judge the ideological differences between the two.
- describe the successes, and failures of the Cuban Revolution.
- explain how the passing of the revolutionary generation may cause significant changes within Cuba.
- explain why most Cubans today do not want the Yankees back
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- There will be ample opportunities to discuss the issues raised, both in open discussion, and in small break-out groups.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
- You will be encouraged to consider other students work and give your opinions and suggestions
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
- A detailed reading list will be provided through Canvas.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
