Latin American Studies (LAST) 203 - Lecture 01
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICA
Winter 2007
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00-9:15  

Instructor:	Ms. Mary-Lee Mulholland
Office Location:	TBA
Office Phone:	TBA
E-Mail:	mlmulhol@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	Tuesday 9:30 – 10:30 am

Additional Information

Teaching Assistant: Alejandro García Magos (agmagos@ucalgary.ca)

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, and the large numbers of impoverished, 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 films, 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 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

Supplementary readings provided as required.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Map Quiz (10%) Date: January 23rd

Midterm Exam (30%) Date: February 27th

Discussions of Current Events (Blackboard) (2X15%=30%) First Discussion of Current Event Due: February 13th Second Discussion of Current Event Due: April 5th

Final Exam (30%) – TBA Registrar

1) Map Quiz: A quiz to test your knowledge on contemporary Latin American political and ecological geography. Date: January 23rd 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 that date. The test will consist of a combination of definitions, short and long answer questions. Date: February 27th

3) TWO Discussions of Current Events: Each student will prepare two short summaries and analyses (500 words) of a current event in Latin America that relates to themes discussed in class. The student must critically engage (what is your opinion) in the topic and demonstrate how it relates to issues in class. Students must select two themes from the following list: Economics, Politics, Environment, Urbanization, Population, Military, Identity (Race, Gender, Class, Ethnicity or Religion), Popular Culture (Arts, Film, Music, Sports, Literature), Development or Globalization. Information can be drawn from magazines, newspapers, radio or television news sources (including those available online). These sources must be properly and clearly referenced. First Discussion of Current Event due February 13th and the Second Discussion of Current Event due April 5th.

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.

*Students must complete all components of the course in order to achieve a passing grade.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the 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 wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

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. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. 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 (SS110) 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/info

"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

To be handed out in class.