Latin American Studies (LAST) 201 - Lecture 01
Introduction to the Cultural and Historical Roots of Latin America
Fall 2008
TuTh 9:30AM-10:45AM CHC 105

 

Instructor:	Dr. D. M. Nault
Office Location:	TBA
Office Phone:	TBA
E-Mail:	dmnault@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http://blackboard.ucalgary.ca/webapps/login
Office Hours:	TBA

Course Description

Comprised of some 560 million people and 20 nations, Latin America is a unique cultural region essentially created by the collision of three peoples - Native Americans, Europeans and Africans. Perhaps owing to its diversity and complexity, it is also widely misunderstood by North Americans, despite its close proximity and growing economic, political and cultural significance. The purpose of this course, therefore, is to provide a survey of Latin America to help students develop an appreciation for and become better acquainted with the region, beginning with the period prior to European contact and ending with an analysis of Latin America today. Course themes include the influence of geography on human history, gender issues, resistance and collaboration, the nature and achievements of pre-Columbian societies, European conquest and settlement, Spanish and Portuguese colonial administration, independence movements in the early nineteenth century, efforts to create stable nations after independence, and twentieth and early twenty-first century social, political, and economic patterns.

Objectives of the Course

By the end of the course students should be able to

l Understand the basic features of pre-Columbian societies

l Grasp the processes and characteristics associated with Spanish and Portuguese colonialism

l Understand the interplay of local and external influences in shaping Latin America as it is today

l Examine issues, developments and events in Latin America from multiple perspectives

l Compare and contrast the historical experiences of various peoples and social classes in Latin America

l Think and write about social issues in a more critical and analytical fashion

l Pursue more in-depth, specialized studies on Latin America

Textbooks and Readings

Cheryl E. Martin and Mark Wasserman, Latin America and Its People (Pearson Longman, 2008), 2nd ed.

Additional readings and course materials will be made available through Blackboard (http://blackboard.ucalgary.ca/webapps/login).

Assignments and Evaluation

Map Quiz (10%) - Sept. 23, 2008
Midterm Exam (25%) - Oct. 21, 2008 (in class)
Research Paper (30%) - Due Nov. 20, 2008
Final Exam (35%) - (Scheduled by Registrar)

1) Map quiz: This quiz will test the students' knowledge of Latin America's historical and contemporary political and ecological geography.

2) Midterm exam: Will test students' ability to work with the major ideas and concepts covered in the course. It will include the course readings, lecture material, and films and will consist of a combination of definitions and short and long answer questions.

3) Research paper: Will be a research based essay (i.e., students will be asked to consult texts and articles beyond the required readings). A selection of possible topics will be provided, though students may also choose their own topics in consultation with the instructor. The paper will be 1,500-2,000 words in length and double-spaced and include both a bibliography and endnotes. It will be graded for writing style, content, and evidence of critical thinking.

Note: Students should hand in their research papers directly to the instructor. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

It is the student's responsibility to keep an extra copy of the research paper.

4) Final exam: Will cover course readings, lecture material, and films covered since the midterm. The test will consist of a combination of short and long answer questions. As it will be scheduled by the Registrar, the date and place will be announced later.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline will be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

Students who need help with their writing may use the Writing Centre. The website is at the following URL: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100	C+	65-69.99
A	90-95.99	C	60-64.99
A -	85-89.99	C-	55-59.99
B+	80-84.99	D+	53-54.99
B	75-79.99	D	50-52.99
B-	70-74.99	F	0-49

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is essential to document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where the writer's words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

Students with a disability and who may require academic accommodation should register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss their needs with the instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program - 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night - call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

(Note: Subject to change)

Week #1: Introduction / Pre-Contact Latin America (09/09 and 09/11)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 1-34.

Week #2: Americans and Iberians on the Eve of Contact (09/16 and 09/18)

Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 35- 71.

Week #3: The European Conquest (09/23* and 09/25)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 72-109.
*Map quiz (on September 23)

Week #4: The Emerging Colonial Order (09/30 and 10/02)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 110-143.

Week #5: Worlds in Flux (10/07 and 10/09)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 144-176.
Movie: The Mission (Study questions available through Blackboard)

Week #6: Evolving Identities (10/14 and 10/16)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 177-211.

Week #7: Mid-term Exam/The Ebb Tide of Empire (10/21* and 10/23**)

*Mid-term (in class on October 21)

**Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 212-244.

Week #8: The New Nations of Latin America (10/28 and 10/30)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 245-273.

Week #9: Governance and (Dis)Order (11/04 and 11/06)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 274-308.

Week #10: Social Class and Everyday Life (11/11* and 11/13)
*Remembrance Day (no lecture)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 309-339.

Week #11: Developing Nations (11/18 and 11/20*)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 340-398.
*Research paper due (in class on November 20)

Week #12: Revolution, Military Rule and Democracy (11/25 and 11/27)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 425-457.

Week #13: Everyday Life since 1910 (12/02 and 12/04)
Reading: C. E. Martin and M. Wasserman, Latin America and its People, pp. 399-424,
pp. 458-483.

Final exam scheduled by registrar

Derrick Nault