General Notes

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INTS 130: Introduction to Latin American Studies - Syllabus [Under Contruction]

I strongly encourage you, the student, to use ANGEL...

Course Description:
This course explores the geography, history, culture, society, government and economies of Latin America. It examines enduring themes and issues central to the understanding of Latin America today, such as regime change and economic development. The course covers key actors and organizations affecting Latin America, such as political parties, the Church, the military, land reform movements, and the United States. It also looks at regional associations, including the Organization of American States, NAFTA, and other emerging efforts at regional cooperation.

Text:
Burns, E. Bradford; and Charlip, Julie A. Latin America: A Concise Interpretive History. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Hillman, Richard. Ed. Understanding Contemporary Latin America - third edition. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2005.
Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1972.

Readings taken from:
Aguero, Felipe and Stark Jeffrey. Fault Lines of Democracy in Post-Transition Latin America. Miami: North-South Center Press, 1998.
Bergquist, Charles. Labor in Latin America: Comparative Essays on Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, and Columbia. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1986.
Bolanos, Alvaro Felix and Verdesio, Gusavo. Eds. Colonialism Past and Present: Reading and Writing about Colonial Latin America Today. New York: State University of New York Press, 2002.
Ellis, Joseph. Latin America: Its People and Institutions. New York: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1971.
Farthing, Dorothy Kipling, and Phillips, Claude Anderson. Understanding the Latin Americans. New York: Lyons and Carnahan, 1946.
Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Trans. Myra Bergman Ramos. New York: Continuum, 2002.
Goodwin, Paul. Global Studies: Latin America. Connecticut: McGraw-Hill, 1998.
Guevara, Ernesto "Che." The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey. Trans. Alexandra Keeble. New York: Ocean Press, 2003.
Jaquette, Jane S. The Women's Movement in Latin America: Feminism and the Transition to Democracy. Boston: Unwin Hyman, 1989.
Kirby, Peader. Introduction to Latin America: Twenty-First Century Challenges. London: Sage Publications, 2003.
Mainwaring, Scott, and Scully, Timothy, R. Building Democratic Institutions: Party Systems in Latin America. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1995.
Monegal, Emir Rodriguez. Ed. The Borzoi Anthology of Latin American Literature from the Time of Columbus to the Twentieth Century - Volume 1. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.
Monegal, Emir Rodriguez. Ed. The Borzoi Anthology of Latin American Literature: The Twentieth Century - From Borges and Paz to Guimaraes Rosa and Donos - Volume 2 . New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.
Rouquie, Alain. The Military and the State in Latin America. Trans. Paul E. Sigmund. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987.
Saunders, Nicholas J. Ancient Americas: The Great Civilizations. Phoenix: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2004.
Skidmore, Thomas and Smith, Peter. Eds. Modern Latin America. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Van Cott, Donna Lee, Ed. Indigenous Peoples and Democracy in Latin America. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1994.

Films: During the course of the semester we will view all or part of a number of films related to particular issues.

Evaluations: Papers and Presentation

* Each paper should be ONE page (double spaced) in length. There are a total of 11 possible reaction paper topics of which you must select only 10.
** Three to Four page (excluding cover sheet and list of references). Researched critique on issues examined in one of several movies suggested. All papers should be submitted in MLA format. All assignments should be handed to me personally and on time. Please do not leave assignments in my (or the department's) mail box. Copy of the assignment should also be placed in the Angel Drop Box for grading.
*** Five to Six pages (excluding cover sheet and list of references). Research paper should be country specific and based on one or more of the themes covered in this course. All papers should be submitted in MLA format. All assignments should be handed to me personally and on time. Please do not leave assignments in my (or the department's) mail box. Copy of the assignment should also be placed in the Angel Drop Box for grading.
**** Presentation to be based on Mini-Research Paper.

Please note:
(1) Unfortunately, due to past abuses, attendance will be mandatory and attendance will be taken.
Once again, unfortunately, due to past abuses the doors will be closed to entry as soon as class starts and tardiness will count as an absence. Sorry.
(2) 4 unexcused absences will result in an automatic grade of D
(3) 5 unexcused absences will result in an automatic grade of F
(4) The videos shown in or outside of class should be watched carefully as they should be incorporated into the papers. It goes also for speakers/invited guests.
(5) There will be no midterm or final exam so each paper is of equal importance.

At the end of term your overall grade out of 100 will be matched against the scale below. In the interrim you will need to watch how many points you actually have. Calculate the number of points you actually have against the perfect score of what is possible - this way you can get a percentage out of a 100% and you can match it as well against the scale listed below.

A 95 A- 90 B+ 88 B 85 B- 80 C+ 78 C 75 C- 70 D+ 68 D 65 D- 60 F 59

There are no boundaries in this struggle to the death. We cannot be indifferent to what happens anywhere in the world, for a victory by any country over imperialism is our victory; just as any country's defeat is a defeat for all of us. - Ernesto Che Guevara We cannot be sure of having something to live for unless we are willing to die for it.- Ernesto Che Guevara Hasta la victoria siempè! - Ernesto Che Guevara

Week 1: September 10 and 12 - Latin America as a Cultural Space
Introduction (Hillman 1-11)
Latin America: A Geographic Preface (Hillman 13-40)
Latin America: Myth and Reality in Goodwin, Paul. Global Studies: Latin America. (3-7)

Week 2: September 17 and 19 - Indigenous Peoples, First Contact, and Colonization
The Historical Context (Hillman 41-65)
Alien Encounters: America and Europe in Saunders, Nicholas J. Ancient Americas: The Great Civilizations. (3-15)
Colonialism Now and Then in Bolanos, Alvaro Felix and Verdesio, Gusavo. Eds. Colonialism Past and Present: Reading and Writing about Colonial Latin America Today. (1-17)
Question: To what extent the actual functioning of Latin American democracies depends on their historical trajectory?

Videos:

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Week 3: September 24 and 26 - Politics in Latin American
Latin American Politics (Hillman 67-116)
Faulty Democracies? A Reflection on the Capitalist "Fault Lines" in Latin America in Aguero, Felipe and Stark Jeffrey. Fault Lines of Democracy in Post-Transition Latin America. (41-65)
Introduction: Party Systems in Latin America in Mainwaring, Scott, and Scully, Timothy, R. Building Democratic Institutions: Party Systems in Latin America. (1-34)
Question: What are the main distinctive features of the political tradition in Latin America?

Videos:

Chávez, Venezuela and the New Latin America : an interview with Hugo Chávez / by Aleida Guevara

Week 4: October 1 and 3 - The Economics of Latin America
The Economics of Latin America (Hillman 145-175)
Modern Latin American Historiography and the Labor Movement in Bergquist, Charles. Labor in Latin America: Comparative Essays on Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, and Columbia. (1-19)
Question: Are the economic and political reforms carried out in Latin America in the last decade mutually reinforcing?

Videos:

Liberty for Latin America: How to Undo Five Hundred Years of State Oppression

Week 5: October 8 and 10 - Examining the Role of the Military in Latin America
The Military (Hillman 117-144)
The Establishment of the Military and the Birth of the State in Rouquie, Alain. The Military and the State in Latin America. (39-71)
Question: Why military dictatorships were frequent in Latin America? What were their consequences?

Videos:

La Hora De Los Hornos

Week 6: October 15 and 17 - Considering the impact of Religion in Latin America
Religion in Latin America (Hillman 343-374)
The Development of National, Economic, Religious, and Social Institutions in Ellis, Joseph. Latin America: Its People and Institutions. (149-186)
Question: What is the historical development and impact of religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular on the functioning of the Latin American democracies?

Videos:

Americas / a production of WGBH Boston and Central Television Enterprises for Channel 4, UK ; executive producer,Judith Vecchione

Mid-Term Movie Examination/Critique Due October 17 - No Late Papers!

Movies to select from:
Carandiru, Eva Peron, In the Time of Butterflies, Maria: Full of Grace, Bolivia, Como agua para chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate), Cidade de Deus (City of God), Diarios de motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries), Real Women Have Curves, and Tortilla Soup... open to suggestions.

Week 7: October 22 and 24 - Urbanization, Population, and Environmental issues in Latin America
The Environment, Population, and Urbanization (Hillman 209-235)
The Transformation of Modern Latin America in Skidmore, Thomas and Smith, Peter. Eds. Modern Latin America. (42-67)
Question: How does urbanization and population growth impact the environment in Latin America?

Videos:

The Shaman's Apprentice
Shaman of the Andes

Week 8: October 29 and 31 - Exploring issues of Ethnicity, Class, and Nationalism in Latin America
Patterns of "Race," Ethnicity, Class, and Nationalism (Hillman 237-271)
Pedagogy of the Oppressed. (43-69)
Indigenous Peoples and Democracy: Issues for Policymakers in Van Cott, Donna Lee, Ed. Indigenous Peoples and Democracy in Latin America. (1-27)
Question: What, if something, is distinctive in the politics of recognition in Latin America? What are the directions of the struggles to enhance citizenship?

Videos:

Indigenous Always: The Legend of La Malinche and the Conquest of Mexico
Conquistadors - written and presented by Michael WoodMexico. Vol. 1, God, gold and glory / Jupiter Entertainment
Mexico. Vol. 2, From independance to the Alamo / Jupiter Entertainment
Mexico. Vol. 3, Battle for North America / Jupiter Entertainment
Mexico. Vol. 4, Revolution and rebirth / Jupiter Entertainment

Week 9: November 5 and 7 - In Class Presentation

*** Since this "Introduction to Latin America" class, the presentation will be based on your Mini-research paper. One will present (using PowerPoint) on a topic mutually agreed upon with the professor. A group could do a presentation along a "themed" line. Grounded on the readings, lectures, and discussions, one could very well expand on a country profile taking into account the issues taken up (and papers written about) in class and apply them to the presentation. How are these countries serving the needs (political and social) of its citizens - is that even the question? One could alsso take a specific individual or interest. The possibilities are limitless.

Evaluation:
Grade will be based on the quality of research done. Taken into account will be such things as sources, theme, and formulation. In other words, how you put it all together.

Action:
1. You will need to pair up as soon as possible.
2. I will need a topic from the pair or student as soon as possible.
3. Based on the topic, it might be wise to consider at least 2 outside sources (no internet, please). Searching the databases in the library is allowed and encouraged. Using search engines like Google, Yahoo, etc. falls under the "no internet, please" umbrella.

Preparing Your Presentation:
1. In class presentation is a maximum of 15 minutes followed by 5 to 10 minutes Q & A.
2. Provide one page outline to me in the form of an email attachment one week prior to presentation to be put up on the class page on Angel. Students are required to consult with me concerning: (a) the in-class presentation, and (b) the research paper.
3. Students are expected to confirm the topic of their in-class presentation by the end of week 7.
4. Students are also expected to confirm the topic of the research paper no later than end of week 10. Research paper is due during exam week.

Week 10: November 12 and 14 - Considering the Role of Women in Latin America
Women, Work, and Politics (Hillman 273-311)
Introduction to Jaquette, Jane S. The Women's Movement in Latin America: Feminism and the Transition to Democracy. (1-17)
Question: What are the main obstacles to women political participation in Latin America? What have women achieved in order to overcome them?

Videos:

Botin de guerra: la historia de una busqueda infatigable
Señorita Extraviada, Missing Young Woman
Dual Injustice: Femicide and Torture in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua

Week 11: November 19 and 21 - Delving into Latin American Literature
Latin American Literature (Hillman 375-400)
Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1972.
Suggested Reading:
Monegal, Emir Rodriguez. Ed. The Borzoi Anthology of Latin American Literature from the Time of Columbus to the Twentieth Century - Volume 1. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.
Monegal, Emir Rodriguez. Ed. The Borzoi Anthology of Latin American Literature: The Twentieth Century - From Borges and Paz to Guimaraes Rosa and Donos - Volume 2. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.
Question: What impact has art and literature had internally on the countries and peoples of Latin America? To what extent has it had an impact on international relations vis-à-vis the rest of the world?

Videos:

The Frescoes of Diego Rivera
The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo

Thanksgiving Holiday: Thurs. (Nov. 22) and Fri. (Nov. 23)

Week 12: November 26 and 28 - Latin America and the U.S.
International Relations (Hillman 177-208)
International Relations in Farthing, Dorothy Kipling, and Phillips, Claude Anderson. Understanding the Latin Americans. (305-316)
Latin America, the United States, and the World in Skidmore, Thomas and Smith, Peter. Eds. Modern Latin America. (355-398)
Question: What is the present situation like in terms of international relations like for Latin America? To what extent does the present situation impact and what are the prospects like in terms of international relations like for Latin America?

Videos:

A Man, A Plan, A Canal Panama Travel Videos
Cold War: Episode 18: Backyard 1954-1990
School of the Assassins
Crossing the Line
U.S. Foreign Policy - Secret Wars of the CIA

Week 13: December 3 and 5 - Latin America in the 21st Century
Trends and Prospects (Hillman 401-411)
Latin America in the Twenty-First Century in Kirby, Peader. Introduction to Latin America: Twenty-First Century Challenges. (185-207)
Question: What constraints does globalization impose to Latin American democracies? What opportunities does it generate?

Videos:

Week 14: December 10 to 14 - Exam Week: Research Paper Due

Web Resources:

The Geography and Politics of Latin America

page last updated 02 December 2007
Copyright © 2006 Miguel B. Llora, MA. All Rights Reserved.
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