Latin American Studies (LAST) 203 - Lecture 01
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICA

Winter 2008
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00-9:15 MFH 164

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: Judy Bedford (jbbedfor@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 and Geography Quiz (10 %) January 29^th

Midterm Exam (30%) March 4^th 

Paper Proposal (5%) March 13^th

Research Paper (25%) April 10^th

Final Exam (30%) Registrar-Scheduled

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 and text). January 29^th

2) Paper Proposal (5%): 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. March 13^th

3) 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. March 4^th

4) Research Paper will be a research based essay (i.e., you will be asked to consult texts and articles beyond the required readings). You will be required to consult 10 academic/scholarly (peer-reviewed) texts and articles. Those articles downloaded from online journals and electronic books are considered ‘scholarly.'  Please note that information from the World Wide Web is not permitted as part of your bibliography. A selection of possible essay questions will be provided in the class. The paper will be 7-10 double-spaced pages in length and include both a bibliography and/or foot/end notes. April 10^th

5) 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. TBA

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

To be handed out in class