Monday, April 27, 2009
Assignment 5a
Simon Bolivar-
Simon Bolivar was one of the most important leaders in the Spanish-American battle for independence from Spain. He was president of Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Colombia. He died prematurely of Tuberculosis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Colombia
Monday, April 20, 2009
Assignment 4c
The word “Culture” comes from the Latin “cultura” stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate". The definition of culture is excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture)
Paul 3A (http://intdis4paul.blogspot.com/2009/03/assignment-3a.html)
Jesse 4A (http://jesseinman-intdis4.blogspot.com/)
Paul wrote about the Incas. All this information was new to me. I had never read anything on the incas in particular before. I learned that the Incan’ empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbia. At its peak, the empire covered an area of about 350,000 square miles. The empire covered parts of modern day Chile, Columbia, most of Bolivia, and parts of Ecuador and Argentina. This relates to the work of Mr. Freire in a way that is sort of round-about. The Incans had started a thriving new culture, and were in the process of civilizing it something that Mr. Freire tried his whole life to do, Reform and teach culture., but it is defiantly an interesting face about the region we have been studying this whole class.
Jesse in his 4A blog talked about Junipero Serra and how he had accomplished so much in his life. I didn’t know that he himself was responsible for overseeing 9 missions being built. That was really interesting. The way Junipero Serra relates to Mr. Freire is that they both were creators. Sometimes in a different light, but they were still working together to better others around them, and make a richer environment for everyone.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Assignment 4b
This picture of father JunÃpero Serra pertains to the study of humanities, in the way that he was an important icon in the shaping of the Latin-American culture in the Caribbean
This was a man of honor and integrity. You can see it in his face. All he wanted to do was help. he traveled to various places on foot, sometimes for many days, just to offer his advice, and services that were so valued. He truly was a great man, who did an immeasurable amount of good for many people.
This work is about telling you the Saints life story through one painting. It's all in his eyes, and his facial expression. It's mesmerizing.
The reason that I chose this piece was, well i didnt really choose it, it kind of chose me. When I saw this picture I coulden't help but read more, and it was so interesting i thought it was worth mentioning.
I would like to have met the artist, and ask him what he was trying to capture at the moment he was painting this magnificent portrait.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Assignment 4a

The Colonial / Conquest Era, was an era in Latin America where European & Spanish soldiers occupied the culture in Latin America, taking advantage of the people and the lands natural resources. In 1494 Spain and European people divided the New World between themselves. After much bloodshed, and disease Spain lost numerous territories, as well as lives. The ancient culture was destroyed, as well as all records of its being, and the surviving natives were forced into the conversion to Christianity.
One interesting fact about the missions is that In order to facilitate overland travel, the mission settlements were situated approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) apart, so that they were separated by one day's long ride on horseback (or three days on foot) along the 600-mile (966-kilometer) long "California Mission Trail."
another interesting fact is...No group of structures in the United States elicits the intense interest inspired by the missions of California (California is home to the greatest number of well-preserved missions found in any U.S. state). The missions are collectively the best-known historic element of the coastal regions of California All of the missions are owned and operated by the Catholic Church, Seven mission sites are designated National Historic Landmarks, fourteen are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and all are designated as California Historical Landmarks for their historic, architectural, and archaeological significance
a third interesting fact is....The goal of the missions was, above all, to become self-sufficient in relatively short order. Farming, therefore, was the most important industry of any mission. Barley, maize, and wheat were among the most common crops grown. Even today, The only fruits indigenous to the region, however, consisted of wild berries or grew on small bushes. Spanish missionaries brought fruit seeds over from Europe such as orange, grape, apple, peach, pear, and fig seeds were among the most prolific of the imports. Grapes were also grown and fermented into wine for sacramental use and again, for trading.
I chose to research the California missions. When I was a child my parents took my siblings and I on a trip along the Califonria Mission Trail, to visit a bunch of the missions, and I remember I throughly enjoyed every moment of it. The picture above is mission San Juan de Capistrano (My Personal Favorite)
Sources: