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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 345"
COURSE NAME: "Latin American Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Federigo Argentieri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PL 223
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides a solid overview of the Latin American continent (or subcontinent), giving emphasis to politics, as well as socioeconomic and cultural aspects. The geographic and historical setting, the creole/native/black populations and their interaction since the European conquista, structures and their evolution since independence, relations with the United States and the impact of the Cold War, current attempts at building a closer cooperation among the various countries, the Cuban anomaly will be some of the topics presented and discussed.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The Context of Latin American Politics
The Pattern of Historical Development
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Government Machinery, the Role of the State, and Public Policy
Is Democracy Achieved? The "Pink Tide" and those not-so-pink
The case of Cuba
Culture, Identity, Folklore
Highlights on Literature and Film
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students are expected to acquire a good knowledge of the relevant geographic and historical features, the main components of political regimes in Latin America, including relations past and present with the US and Cuba. They are expected to be able to identify and analyze countries with their governmental arrangements and the main economic challenges facing Latin America in the globalized environment, as well as getting a fair acquaintance with the main cultural trends of the recent past and present, debates about the identity, selected great authors of literature and cinema.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Latin American Politics and Development | Howard J. Wiarda - Harvey F. Kline | Westview Press | 978-0813349046 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| five short papers | On assigned topics, two pages single-spaced (printed on front and back of one sheet) | 50% |
| Attendance and participation | See below | 15% |
| Final exam | short-essay answers to a number of questions to be selected from a variety | 35% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is required
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| January 13-15 | The Geographic Setting and the "Discovery" | Wiarda-Kline ch. 1 | | |
| Jan. 20-22 | From the First Settlers to Independence | W-K ch. 2 | | |
| Jan. 27-29 | Fragile Institutions, Vulnerable Economy: Civil-Military relations until the Cold War | ch. 2 | | |
| February 3-5 | The US, Latin America and the Cold War | ch. 2 | Monday February 3rd, 7:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina, Guarini Institute lecture by JCU alumnus Ryan Anderson on food assistance | |
| Feb. 10-12 | Interest Groups and Political Parties | ch. 3 | Monday Feb. 10, 7:30 pm in G.1.1, screening of film "1492", by Ridley Scott | |
| Feb. 17-19 | The Struggle for Democracy | ch. 4-5 | Monday Feb. 17 at 7:30 pm, G.1.1, screening of film "Mission", by Roland Joffe (1986) -- Thursday Feb. 20 at 6:00 pm, Aula Magna Regina, Guarini Institute lecture by prof. Theda Skocpol, Harvard University, on current US politics issues | |
| Feb. 24-26 | Argentina | ch. 6 | Monday Feb. 24 at 7:30 pm, G.1.1, screening of film "The Assassination of Trotsky", by Joseph Losey (1972) | First paper due |
| March 3-5 | Chile | ch. 8 | Monday March 3, 7:30 pm, G.1.1, screening of film "Evita", by Alan Parker (1996) | |
| March 10-12 | Colombia | ch. 9 | Monday March 10, 7:30 pm, Aula Magna Regina, Guarini Institute roundtable panel on "Women of Power in New Democracies" | Second paper due |
| March 24-26 | Peru | ch. 10 | Monday 24 March, 7:30 pm in G.1.1, screening of film"The Battle of Chile", by Patricio Guzman (1975-79) | |
| March 31-April 2 | Venezuela | ch. 11 | | |
| April 4-9 | Mexico | ch. 16 | | Third paper due |
| April 14-16 | Cuba | ch. 17 | | |
| April 23 | Nicaragua | ch. 19 | | Fourth paper due - Fifth paper due on day of final exam |
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