Latin American Studies (LAST) 201 - Lecture 01
Introduction to the Cultural and Historical Roots of Latin America

Winter 2008
Saturdays 8:00 -12:00 PF 114
Class Dates: January 19^th, 26^th, February 2^nd, 9^th, 23^rd, March 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 29^th,
and April 5^th; Final Exam, April 19^th.

Instructor:	Ms. Mary-Lee Mulholland
Office Location:	TBA
Office Phone:	TBA
E-Mail:	mlmulhol@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	Saturday 12:00-12:30

 

Course Description

Diverse is the term that best describes the region that we know as Latin America. Often the differences between Latin American countries are much more salient than the similarities upon which we identify Latin America as a region. The ties between Canada and its Latin American neighbours have multiplied over the past decade, and the region is now one of strategic importance to us. This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to the background of the cultural diversity which characterizes the region, providing a context for the understanding of current affairs in Latin American countries and a background for evaluation of the relationship of Canada with the region at present and in the future.

Objectives of the Course

1. Explore roots of cultural diversity in the natural environment. 2. Provide an introduction to the cultures and civilizations of Mesoamerica and South America prior to the arrival of the European colonizers. 3. Emphasize the ecological and environmental complexity of the region in terms of agricultural and economic systems. 4. Discuss demographic trends and economic institutions, which characterize the colonial period in the region. 5. Explore the historical evolution of the present day political geography. 6. Contextualize the present day cultures and peoples of Latin America.

Textbooks and Readings

Cheryl E. Martin and Mark Wasserman, Latin America and Its People (Pearson Longman, 2005).

Supplementary readings will be made available through Blackboard.

Assignments and Evaluation

Map and Geography Quiz (10 %) - January 26^th

Paper Proposal (5%) - February 23^rd

Midterm Exam (30%) - March 1^st

Short Research Paper (25%) - April 5^th

Final Exam (30%) - April 19^th (Scheduled by Registrar)

1) Map and Geography Quiz: This quiz will test the students' knowledge of Latin America's historical and contemporary political and ecological geography (based on lectures). January 26th

2) Paper Proposal: Students will submit a short Paper Proposal (200 words maximum) and Bibliography (minimum ten resources). The objective of this exercise is to ensure that you are on the right track (topic, references, etc) for your actual paper and to receive input and assistance on your research topic. February 23^rd

2) Midterm Exam: Will test your ability to work with the major ideas concepts we have covered. It will include the course readings, lecture material, and films to date. The test will consist of a combination of definitions, short and long answer questions. March 1^st.

3) Short Research Paper will be a research based essay (i.e., you will be asked to consult texts and articles beyond the required readings). A selection of possible essay questions will be provided in the class. The paper will be 6-8 double-spaced pages in length (approx 1500 words) and include both a bibliography and foot/end notes. This will be graded for writing style, content, and evidence of critical thinking. April 5^th.

4) The 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. April 19th (Scheduled by Registrar)

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. 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.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  Yes

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may 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.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

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

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

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.

You must 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 your 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

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your 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.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see the U of C Research Ethics "Information for Applicants," sections 3.0 to 9.0, inclusive: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/research/html/ethics/info_undergrad.html

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

CLASS ONE: - January 19th - Introduction, Geography, and Pre-Contact



• Readings: Chapters 1 & 2 of Latin America and its People



 

CLASS TWO: - January 26th - Conquest and Early Colonialism

• 
Readings: Chapters 3 & 4 of Latin America and its People

• Map and Geography Quiz



 

CLASS THREE: - February 2nd - Race, Religion and the Everyday

• Readings: Chapters 5 & 6 of Latin America and its People



 

CLASS FOUR: - February9th - Women and Creole Identity

• Readings: Chapter 7 of Latin America and its People



 

CLASS FIVE - February 23rd - Independence

• Readings: Chapter 8 of Latin America and its People


• Paper Proposal Due

 

CLASS SIX: - March 1 - Midterm and Film

 

CLASS SEVEN: - March 8 - 19th Century Latin America

• Readings: Chapters 9 & 10 of Latin America and its People



 

CLASS EIGHT: - March 15 Class and Economics in the Modern Era


• Readings: Chapters 11 & 12 of Latin America and its People



 

CLASS NINE - MARCH 29- Latin America in the 20th Century



• Readings: Chapters 13 & 14 of Latin America and its People


 

CLASS TEN - APRIL 5 - Latin America in the 20th Century



• Readings: Chapter 15 of Latin America and its People

• Research Paper Due



 

April 19th - Final Exam Scheduled by Registrar