This course deals with the history of the society and government institutions that Spain and Portugal began to build from the time they arrived in the New World i.e. from 1492. The confrontation between the Old-World people and the indigenous population of the Americas as well as the results of that confrontation in the political, social, economic and religious spheres will be the subject of discussion. It is expected that at the end of the course, students will be able to explain how Latin American society was built as well as peculiar institutions and challenges they have faced. This should provide a basis of comparison with what has happened and is going on in our part of the world.