Introduction to Latin America
HY 228
Dr. Mollie Lewis Nouwen
Office Hours: MWF 11:15-12:15 and by appointment
Office Phone Number: 460-6867
Office 351
Email: mlewis@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
Before the arrival of Europeans in the 1400s and 1500s to the present, the diverse groups living in Latin America have used many strategies to survive and make sense of their world. Even though it is rich in natural resources, inequality has always been central to the history of the region. For most of its history, the majority of Latin Americans have been poor and had few chances to improve their lives. The colonial period was characterized by early efforts to destroy indigenous empires, a long-lived slave trade, as well as the social distinctions between the European-descended peoples involved in the administration of the colonial state. In the nineteenth century, independence brought abolition in most places, but overall few changes in the lives of freed blacks, the indigenous, and women, whose possibilities for advancement continued to be limited.
The nation-making period, which began in Latin America in the late nineteenth century, was complicated by these inequalities, as elite men debated who could be part of the nation. Was membership in the nation based on race, class, or gender? Immigrants from Europe and Asia arrived to further expand the questions about nation. As the twentieth century continued, different groups began to assert their rights, and their place in the nation. Women, people of African descent, the indigenous, and immigrants showed (and sometimes challenged) their changing roles in politics, education, the workplace, and the increasingly diverse national cultures.
Course Requirements
Course Objectives
Students will gain the skills to analyze the broad themes of Latin American history. Through primary source work, students will learn to place the documents into a larger historical context, gaining an understanding of the ways historians work. Students will also be asked to think critically about the kinds of historical forces still at work in Latin America and how they relate to our own present conditions in the United States.
Participation and Attendance
Participation in class discussion and asking questions are integral to the course. Students who are not in attendance have no chance to participate, nor will they hear the lectures (which are on different topics than the readings) leading to a low grade for participation and attendance. Please let me know in the case of emergencies that mean a student will not be in class.
Course Readings
I expect students to attend class having carefully read and considered the readings. Although most of the assignments are short, they contain a great deal of information and should be read with attention. If I find that many students are not completing the readings, I reserve the right to begin giving pop quizzes. There will be no makeup quizzes.
Cheryl Martin and Mark Wasserman, Latin America and its People 2nd edition (includes both Volumes 1 and 2)
Mariano Azuela, The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution
Jacobo Timmerman, Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number
The books are available at the student bookstore.
Reading Quizzes
Each Monday I will give students a reading quiz on the assignments they have completed in the past week. Please note that these quizzes are not intended to be difficult, but are there just to make sure that students keep up with the reading. Quizzes will be a question that can be answered in a short paragraph. I will give make-up quizzes only in emergencies, or if the student and I have come to an understanding before the class period that they have a legitimate reason for missing class.
Map Quiz
The first week of class I will give students a list of the locations in Latin America they need to know for the map quiz. On the day of the quiz, I will hand out a blank map for students to fill in with the appropriate geographical features.
Papers
Students will write 2 papers, each one a 3-page analysis of a primary document related to the themes of the class. Please double space the essays and use a 12-point Times New Roman font. We will have an in-class discussion of the elements of the papers, and the kinds of analysis I expect. I will make lists of the primary documents for each section, available online through the library. Each paper should have an introduction and clear thesis statement, topic sentences for each paragraph, and a conclusion.
Paper Revisions
All students are encouraged to revise their papers after I have returned them. On each paper, I include the kinds of elements I want students to re-work. I am happy to meet with students to discuss revisions. The final grade of the paper will be the average of the two paper grades.
Late Work Policy:
Work that is turned in late but within a week of the due date will be accepted, but the grade will be deducted one full point. For example, if your paper receives an A, that same paper turned in late will receive a B. I will not accept any papers that are turned in more than a week after the due date. If you know that you are going to be unable to turn in an assignment on time, please talk to me beforehand so that we can try and make arrangements for an extension.
Exams
The two exams will be the same format – a choice of identifications and a choice of short essay questions. The second exam will not be cumulative. It will also be during our scheduled time for the final.
Grading
Participation and Attendance: 10%
Reading Quizzes: 20%
Map Quiz: 5%
Papers: 30%
Exam 1: 20%
Exam 2: 20%
Honor Code
At the University of South Alabama, the Office of Academic Affairs has stated that
Any dishonesty related to academic work or records constitutes academic misconduct including, but not limited to, activities such as giving or receiving unauthorized aid in tests and examinations, improperly obtaining a copy of an examination, plagiarism, misrepresentation of information, or altering transcripts or university records. Academic misconduct is incompatible with the standards of the academic community. Such acts are viewed as moral and intellectual offenses and are subject to investigation and disciplinary action through appropriate University procedures. Penalties may range from the loss of credit for a particular assignment to dismissal from the University. Note that dismissal from any University of South Alabama college or school for reasons of academic misconduct will also result in permanent dismissal from the university.
I also include in this misuse of computers during class – students must have their wireless capability turned off and only use the computer for note-taking. Please contact me if you have questions on these policies.
Special Needs
Please notify me if you have a disability that impacts your academic performance. I will need certification from Disability Services, connected to the Office of Special Student Services (Student Center, Room 270, 460-7212).
Syllabus
I reserve the right to change the syllabus, but will give students a week notice before the changes will take effect.
Week 1: August 17-24
M: The Indigenous Empires – Maya, Aztecs, and Incas
W: The Conquest
Martin and Wasserman, 73-76
F: Map Quiz, Primary Text work
Week 2: August 24-28
M: Society and Culture
Martin and Wasserman, 91-94
W: The Church
Martin and Wasserman, 96-101
F: Economy and Politics
Martin and Wasserman, 101-104
Week 3: August 31 - September 4
M: A Multi-ethnic Society
Martin and Wasserman, 178-182
W: Bourbons and the Enlightenment
Martin and Wasserman, 221-224
F: Independence
Martin and Wasserman, 237-239
Week 4: September 7- 11
M: Labor Day – No Class
W: Independence
Paper Due
F: Brazil – A Different Path
Martin and Wasserman, 264-267
Week 5: September 14-18
M: Challenges to the Nation
Martin and Wasserman, 274-277
W: Federalists and Centralists, Liberals and Conservatives
Martin and Wasserman, 277- 279, 282-283
F: Militarization and Chaos
Martin and Wasserman, 288-295
Week 6: September 21-25
M: Independence and Abolition in Brazil
Paper Revision Due
Martin and Wasserman, 319, 321-322
W: Export Growth
Martin and Wasserman, 342-346
F: Social Transformations
Martin and Wasserman, 348-349, 352-353
Week 7: September 28- October 2
M: Immigration, Race, and Nation
“Immigration as a Means of Progress,” Juan Bautista Alberdi (p. 95-101) from The Argentina Reader
W: Exam review, prepare questions to discuss in class
F: Midterm Exam
Week 8: October 5-9
M: The Porfiriato
Martin and Wasserman, 361-364
W: Manifest Destiny
Burns and Charlip pp. 161-166 (to be passed out in class)
F: The Mexican Revolution, Part I
Mariano Azuela, The Underdogs, Part I
Week 9: October 12-16
M: The Mexican Revolution, Part II
Mariano Azuela, The Underdogs, Parts II and III
W: Societal Changes
Martin and Wasserman, 401-408
F: The Economy in the 1920s and 1930s
Martin and Wasserman, 372-376
Week 10: October 19-23
M: Spheres of Influence: Central America and the Caribbean
Paper Due
W: Populism
Martin and Wasserman, 389-392
F: Populist Leaders
“Saint Evita,” Tomás Eloy Martínez (p. 296-303) from The Argentina Reader; “New Year’s Address, 1938,” Getúlio Vargas (p. 186-189) from The Brazil Reader
Week 11: October 26-30
M: The New World Order
Martin and Wasserman, 410-11, 414-417
W: Cuba
Martin and Wasserman, 427-430
F: Cuba, Part II
“History Will Absolve Me,” Fidel Castro, from Keen’s Latin American Civilization
433-439
Week 12: November 2-6
M: Chile
Martin and Wasserman, 444, 447-448
Paper Revision Due
W: Bureaucratic Authoritarianism
Martin and Wasserman, 436-440
F: Dictatorships
Read Jacobo Timmerman, Prisoner without a Name, Cell without a Number Chapters 1-6
Week 13: November 9-13
M: Torture
Jacobo Timmerman, Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number, Chapters 7- End
W: Nicaragua
Martin and Wasserman, 430-432
F: Central America
Martin and Wasserman, 432-433
Week 14: November 16-20
M: Transitions to Democracy
Martin and Wasserman, 449-451
W: Neoliberalism
Martin and Wasserman, 462-468
F: Challenges to Neoliberalism
Martin and Wasserman, 473-477
Week 15: November 23-27
M: The Pink Wave
Martin and Wasserman, 452-453, 456
W, F: Thanksgiving Break
Week 16: November 30
M: Review for Final Exam
Final Exam: Monday, December 7 at 8 am