INTD 335 Introduction to Latin American Studies Spring 2001

Dr. Mark R. Cox Neville 404 833-7008 mcox@presby.edu
Office Hours: W 2:00-2:50, R, F 10:00-10:50, and by appointment

Course Objectives: This is an interdisciplinary course which focuses on essential components in the development of Latin American civilization and culture, especially the natural setting, historical origins, economic growth, social classes, race relations, literature and the arts. In addition to the basic textbook, the class will include a number of guest lecturers speaking on their areas of expertise, a novel, and a couple of movies. In this course students will gain a more complete understanding of the past and present of Latin America as well as the challenges and problems confronting the region.

Textbooks: Jan Knippers Black. Latin America: Its Problems and Its Promise: A
Multidisciplinary Introduction.
José María Arguedas. Deep Rivers.

Requirements and Procedures:

The success of this class depends greatly on the active participation of everyone in the class. Each student is expected to have read the text(s) and to have completed the assignments. Instead of being a lecture class, it is more of a seminar environment. Therefore, the active participation of everyone is crucial to the success of the class. The class participation grade will include the following aspects of your participation in class: attendance, completing homework, being prepared, actively participating in class activities, and effort.

The exams will be semi take-home exams. A week or two before the exams and the final exam, I will hand out a list of possible essay questions and identifications. You can prepare for the exam by writing outlines, using notes, or whatever to prepare for these questions. On the day of the exam you will receive a list of questions and identifications taken from the previous list of questions. You can use a dictionary and your notes in answering these questions. Since you will have had time to reflect upon these questions, your answers are expected to be well-organized and supported by the texts and class discussions. While you can work with other students in preparing for the exam, your answers on the exam are your responsibility alone.

The theme of the short paper (8-10 pages, not counting footnotes and bibliography) will be chosen after discussion with the professor. It should be typed, double spaced, and have a standard sized font. Throughout the semester we will meet to discuss the progress of your term paper. You should adhere to the following deadlines: January 24- chosen a topic, February 21- shown me a rough outline and a bibliography, March 28- turned in a rough draft (your best effort, typed and double spaced), and April 18- turned in the final version. You are expected to develop a thesis statement expressing the central idea of your paper and to make a detailed outline as you write the paper. You also need to carefully document all of your sources. At the end of the semester you will give a class presentation on your term paper.

Grading:
40% Two Exams
20% Short Paper and Presentation
25% Final Exam
15% Class Participation

Introduction to Latin American Studies
Spring 2001

January
8 Introduction: The Evolution of Latin American Studies
10 The Land and The People
Physical Landscape and Settlement Patterns
The Indian Populations of Latin America

15 No Class- MLK Day
17 Historical Setting
Colonial Latin America
The Continuity of the National Period

22 Cultural Expression
Latin American Literature
24 Economic and Social Structures
Latin American Economies Restructure, Again
Social Structure and Change in Latin America

29 Movie
31 Movie

February
5 EXAM 1
7 Political Processes and Trends
Participation and Political Process: The Collapsible Pyramid
The Politics of Insecurity

12 External Relations
International Relations in Latin America: Conflict and Cooperation
The United States and Latin America: Into a New Era
14 Mexico
Mexico: Historical Foundations
Mexico: The Permanent Crisis

19 Central America and Panama
Central America: Background to the Crisis
Central America: From Revolution to Neoliberal "Reform"
Panama and the Canal
21 Cuba and The Caribbean
The Cuban Revolution
The Caribbean: The Structure of Modern-Conservative Societies

26 Review
28 EXAM 2

March
5 The Andes
Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador
Peru and Bolivia
7 The Southern Cone
Chile: The Development, Breakdown, and Recovery of Democracy
Argentina: Decline and Revival
Uruguay and Paraguay: An Arduous Transition

12-14 Spring Break

19 Movie: La Boca del Lobo
21 Movie: La Boca del Lobo

26 Brazil
Brazil: From Independence to 1964
Brazil: Militocracy and Frustrated Democratization
28 Conclusion: An Integrated Neighborhood; Review

April
2 José María Arguedas. Deep Rivers.
4 José María Arguedas. Deep Rivers.

9 José María Arguedas. Deep Rivers.
11 José María Arguedas. Deep Rivers.

16 José María Arguedas. Deep Rivers.
18 Presentations of Projects

23 Final Exam 7:00