Latin American Studies (LAST) 203 L01
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICA
Fall 2007
Saturdays 8:00-12:00

Instructor:	Dr.   Denise Fay Brown
Office Location:	ES444
Office Phone:	220 3930
Web Page:
Office Hours:	W 1-2 or by appointment

Course Description

Latin America has become part of our daily lives. Alberta invests millions of dollars in the region. Thousands of Albertans trace their origins to Latin America. We holiday in Mexico, Cuba, Central America, and other countries in the region. Moreover, our economic and political well-being is linked increasingly to Latin America. However, we our knowledge of the region tends to be weak. The goal of this course is to provide an analytical framework for the understanding of the current events in this region, and their impact on Canada and Canadians.

Over twenty countries comprise this region, each with a long and intriguing history and a complex array of issues to face in the 21st Century. Some of these issues, such as rapid urbanization, political violence, migration, and large numbers of impoverished people, are shared among most of the countries. Other issues, such as the drug trade, indigenous peoples, rapid population growth, and environmental degradation, are felt in a different way throughout the continent. Through readings, lectures, Web discussions, and documentaries, this course will introduce the students to the complexity and contrasts found in the region.

Objectives of the Course

1) Introduce students to the major issues facing the region.

2) Engage students in critical (Web-based) discussions on these issues.

3) Provide the historical contextualization of the major issues.

4) Introduce a comparative framework for understanding Latin America.

5) Develop writing skills, and analytical thought.

Textbooks and Readings:

Hillman, Richard S. (ed) Understanding Contemporary Latin America, Lynne Rienner Pubs., Boulder 2001

PLUS supplementary readings as provided

Assignments and Evaluation

In-class writing assignments (5 x 5%)(these will be "pop" assignments randomly given through the term) 25%

Web Discussions worth 6% each (5 x 6% = 30%) (I will post one discussion a week for the 10 weeks of classes, and you must participate in at least 5) 30%

Short paper on assigned document- 5-6 pages (due Nov.3)15%

In class presentations and participation 10%

Final open-book exam  (8 December) 20%                                                                     

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

THEME ONE:  SEPTEMBER 15              INTRODUCTION                        HILLMAN, CH.1                      

THEME TWO:   SEPTEMBER 22      GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL REVIEW          CHs 2 & 3

THEME THREE:  SEPTEMBER 29      POLITICS IN LATIN AMERICA                               CHs 4 & 5           

THEME FOUR:  OCTOBER 13        ECONOMIES OF LATIN AMERICA                            CHs 6 & 7        

THEME FIVE:    OCTOBER 20          ENVIRONMENT, URBANIZATION                             CH 8 

THEME SIX:      OCTOBER 23   CLASS, NATIONALISM, RACE, ETHNICITY           CH 9                                    

THEME SEVEN:   NOVEMBER 3    WOMEN                                                                    CH 10

THEME EIGHT:   NOVEMBER 17  DEVELOPMENT/ INDIGENOUS ISSUES                      CH.11

THEME NINE:  NOVEMBER 24  MIGRATION

THEME TEN:  DECEMBER 1  RELIGION                                                             CH 12