1. Argentina is a country of immigrants. When were the most important waves of immigration? Where did the immigrants come from and what were they fleeing? What vestiges of their culture are evident in contemporary Argentine culture?

2. Who was José de San Martín? Why is he so closely linked with men such as the Venezuelan, Simón Bolívar and the Chilean, Bernardo O’Higgins?

3. Why is Che Guevara often associated with Cuba’s revolution? Where was he born and where did he die? What other countries did he visit and influence? What famous book (later movie) did he write? If possible, watch the movie based on this book and describe your reactions.

4. Who was Juan Perón and why was the Peronista party so controversial? Who opposed him and why? Who were the descamisados?

5. Who fought against Argentina in the Falklands War (Las Malvinas)? What were the motives behind this war? How long did it last?

6. Who was Evita Perón? Why was she adored by some and hated by others?

7. Who was Jorge Videla? What was his role in the Dirty War?

8. Who was Adolfo Perez Esquivel? Why was he awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?

9. Who are the Madres de Plaza de Mayo? When and why do they gather in the Plaza de Mayo? What are the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo protesting?

10. Who was Jorge Luis Borges? What are some of his most famous works? Why are they considered so rich and innovative?

11. Have you ever seen a statue smoking a cigarette? Fans visit Carlos Gardel’s grave daily and place a lit cigarette in the hand of his life sized statue. Carlos Gardel is considered a national icon in Argentina yet he was born elsewhere. Where did he come from and why is he so revered and linked so closely to Argentine identity?

12. Have you ever heard a 5 year old discuss world affairs? Who is Mafalda and why do so many Argentines follow her opinions and observations about the world? What are some of the issues that worry and concern Mafalda? Does she remind you of any similar figure in the U.S.?

13. Describe Mercedes Sosa’s work. What kind of music is she famous for? Why is she called La Negra? Why was she forced to leave Argentina? Visit Sosa’s official web page to learn more about her. Select a song to hear and describe your reactions. How does it demonstrate Sosa’s point of view?

14. Alfonsina Storni was a poet who challenged society to change its stereotypes. Who was the oppressor she criticized most frequently in her work? Why was her last poem, Voy a dormir so symbolic? Read 1-2 of Storni’s poems and discuss your reactions to them.

15. Have you ever tried to speak Pig Latin in Spanish? Lunfardo is a sort of slang spoken in Argentina. Who speaks it and when?

16. What is Tango music? When and how did the music and dance become popular? Who danced tango in the golden age and who dances it now? Find samples of Tango dancing on the Internet or watch the film, Tango (directed by Carlos Saura) and describe your reactions.