F342 C694 Latin America Evolution/Revolution

Prof. Michael Snodgrass	History F342/H521
Office: Cavanaugh 503S	Fall 2000
Hours: T 4:00-5:00, W 10:30-12:00	Cavanaugh 221
Phone: 278-7761	TR 2:30-3:45
E-mail: msnodgr@iupui.edu

LATIN AMERICA: EVOLUTION AND REVOLUTION

This course will introduce students to the history of Latin America from the early 1800s to the present. We learn how both extraordinary figures and ordinary people shaped the region=s political systems, its economic development, and its diverse cultures. Along the way, we examine an array of historical trends and enduring issues that Latin Americans have faced, including: efforts to forge strong national identities among diverse peoples, achieving stable and equitable economic growth, the tension between democratic and authoritarian rule, and Latin America=s ambivalent relation with the United States. We conclude with an analysis of such contemporary issues as democratization and free trade.

Readings

John Chasteen, Heroes on Horseback: A Life and Times of the Last Gaucho Caudillos
George Collier, Basta!: Land and the Zapatista Rebellion in Chiapas
Nicolas Fraser and Marysa Navarro, Evita: The Real Life of Eva Perón
Benjamin Keen and Keith Haynes, A History of Latin America: Independence to the Present
Alicia Partnoy, The Little School: Tales of Disappearance and Survival in Argentina

Articles in Electronic Reserve System (http://errol.iupui.edu - username: HISTF342 / password: F342)

Requirements (Total points = l,000)

Map assignment and unannounced geography quiz: 50 points, or 5% of grade
Three, 3-4 page book reviews: 300 points, or 30%
Mid-term examination (identifications and essays): 250 points, or 25%
Final examination (identifications and essays): 300 points, or 30%
Class participation (discussions and pop quizzes): 100 points, or 10%

Graduate students will complete alternative assignments to be arranged in consultation with the instructor.

Grading:

A (1,000-930), A- (929-900), B+ (899-880), B (879-830), B- (829-800), C+ (799-780), C (779-730), C- (729-700), D (699-600), F (599 or less).

Remember

* While there will be no mandatory attendance requirement this semester, persistent absenteeism always results in inferior student performances. Furthermore, a high number of absences will naturally result in a poor class participation grade.

* It is expected that all students will 1) read, 2) think critically about (rather than passively read and outline), and 3) arrive to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading material.

* All late assignments will be penalized by l/3 the grade per class day (e.g., C+ to C) unless students provide prior and valid excuses. Students who fail to complete the three written assignments and two exams will fail the class.

Course schedule

Aug. 24: Introduction: What is Latin America and why study its history?

Aug. 29: The colonial period

Electronic Reserve Reading (ERROL): ALegacies of Empire@

Aug. 31: The wars of independence and the new republics

Sep. 5: Legacies of colonialism

Keen, A History of Latin America, 245-53

Sep. 7: Challenges of nation building

Keen, 182-206

Sep. 12: Sugar, slavery and abolition

Keen, 211-15, 236-44

Sep. 14: Discuss Chasteen, Heroes on Horseback

Book review #1 due today

Sep. 19: Latin America=s era of Order and Progress

1) Keen, 216-30; 2) ERROL: ALatin America=s Response to International Markets@

Sep. 21: Immigrants in Argentina

Sep. 26: Workers, peasants, and rebels in Mexico

ERROL: 1) ARocks and Rawhide...@ 2) APorfirio Diaz, Dictator of Mexico@

Sep. 28: Mid-term examination

Oct. 3: The Mexican Revolution

Keen, 273-96

Oct. 5: Modernizing the Mexican masses

ERROL: AExperience and Philosophy in Education@

Oct. 10: Land, labor and the >Mexican Miracle=

Oct. 12: The Great Depression and economic nationalism

Keen, 311-328, 358-70

Oct. 17: Peronism and the Argentine working class

Fraser/Navarro, Evita, 1-87

Oct. 19: Video: AThe Garden of Forking Paths: Problems of National Development@

Oct. 24: Discuss Evita: The Real Life of Evita Peron

Book review #2 due today

Oct. 26: Latin America and the U.S. I: The War of 1898

Keen, 541-46, 427-32, 546-56

Oct. 31: Latin America and the U.S. II: The >Banana Republics=

Nov. 2: The Cuban Revolution

Keen, 432-455

Nov. 7: The Cold War in Latin America

Keen, 556-73

Nov. 9: Video: ACapital Sins: Authoritarianism and Democratization@

Keen, 371-92

Nov. 14: Argentina=s Dirty War

Keen, 328-32

Nov. 16: Discuss Partnoy, The Little School

Book review #3 due today

Nov. 21: Revolution in Central America

Keen, 469-501

Nov. 23: The transition to democracy

Nov. 28: Latin America in the era of economic globalization

Keen, 578-94

Nov. 30: Video: AContinent on the Move: Migration and Urbanization@

Dec. 5: Discuss Collier, Basta!: Land and the Zapatista Rebellion in Chiapas

Book review #4 due today

Dec. 7: Conclusion and review

FINAL EXAM: Thursday, Dec. 14, 3:30-5:30