Program for LACS101
Introduction to
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Spring 2018, 3 Credits

***THIS IS A WORKING SYLLABUS***

A COURSE INFORMATION:

PROFESSOR:Dr. Nelson López.

CONTACT:

CLASSROOM:Bolton B56

OFFICE HOURS: CLACS Office, by appointment.

CLASS TIMES:MW 9:30-10:45A.M.

PRE-REQUISITENone

REQUIRED TEXTS:You may also read the following in Spanish.

Philip Swanson, ed.: The Companion to Latin American Studies.

Eduardo Galeano: Open Veins of Latin America.

Eduardo Galeano: Children of the Days.

Jorge Ramos: Dying to Cross: The Worst Immigrant Tragedy in American History.

B DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

True or False?

  1. El Salvador is the murder capital of the world.
  2. Venezuelahas the largestoil reserves in the world.
  3. Puerto Ricans leave their tropical paradise in exodus.
  4. Brazil is the6th world economy, ahead of the U.K.
  5. Nicaragua is the safest country in Latin America.
  6. Mexicans just don't want to get a visa to enter the U.S. legally.
  7. Cuba is 50 years behind in health, education, etc.
  8. The terms Latino, Spanish, Hispanic, and Chicano they all mean the same.

To find out the answer to these, you need this class!

LACS 101 is an interdisciplinary course that will explore aspects of Latin American music, geography, history, economics, environment, society, politics and culture through historical documents, works of fiction, audio-visual materials and scholarly writings. In particular, readings and classroom activities will explore a great deal about daily life, about class, ethnicity, race and gender, about institutions, and about change and continuity in America, the continent.

This course is an introduction to studying Latin America and the Caribbean in a continental way. Latin America and the Caribbean are far too varied, their histories far too complex, and their cultures far too extensive to cover entirely in a one semester course. On the other hand, an interdisciplinary course offers the opportunity to study both the diversity and commonalities within the region across disciplinary boundaries.

C COURSE AFFILIATIONS

LACS 101 is a required core course for the B.A. in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies Program (LACUSL). This course also can be counted toward the requirements for the GER Humanities requirement, the L&S International requirement, the Cultures and Communities Certificate Program, and the Latin American & Caribbean Studies Certificate Program. LACS 101 meets the GER distribution requirement for the Humanities by introducing students to extensive historical and cultural knowledge and encouraging the critical use of sources to organize/synthesize that knowledge in new ways of understanding.In addition if you are interested in pursuing the major in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies (either as a stand-alone major or a second major), or the Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, please contact AlidaCardós Whaley, Advisor for the LACUSL major and LACS certificate program

D COURSE LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES

LACS 101 meets the UWM General Education Requirements for the Humanities. All Humanities courses have the following learning outcome: Students will be able to identify the formation, traditions, and ideas essential to major bodies of historical, cultural, literary, or philosophical knowledge (GER Humanities Criterion #1). In addition, students will be able to respond coherently and persuasively to the materials of humanities study through logical, textual, formal, historical, or aesthetic analysis, argument and/or interpretation (GER Humanities Criterion #2). Further, students will gain intercultural knowledge and competence including the ability to interact and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

These learning outcomes will be assessed by both a portfolio and a final project.In them, students will synthesize course learning by keeping -and correcting/changing/adding to their portfolios- and by producing a final documentary utilizing multiple communication skills. The portfolio and project assessment rubrics are available on D2L.

Throughout LACS 101 students will:

1. understand Latin America and the Caribbean geographically, politically and culturally, exploring the diversity of the cultures associated with Latin America including non-Spanish-speaking countries.

2. think cross-culturally of America in a continental way in order to identify and describe major themes that characterize contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean.

3. engage in critical thinking in regards to sociopolitical inadequacies in the continent through the years in order to understand the current socio-economic and political situations of Latin America.

Credit hour policy: This 3-credit course meets for 3 hours per week during thesemester. Students are expected to put in 7 additional hours per week studying and working on assignments to achieve the learning goals of this course.

E GRADINGCRITERIA

Component / Grade Percentage / Grade
Average / Letter
Grade / Grade
Average / Letter
Grade
Weekly Quizzes on Quia / 25% / 95 – 100 / A / 73 – 76 / C
Weekly Questions on the readings / 10% / 90 – 94 / A- / 70 – 72 / C-
4 Reflection Essays / 10% / 87 – 89 / B+ / 67 – 69 / D+
Country Presentation / 10% / 84 – 86 / B / 64 – 66 / D
Library Research
Project Proposal / 5% / 81 – 83 / B- / 60 – 63 / D-
5%
Final Project Presentation
Final Project Revised / 10% / 77 – 80 / C+ / 0 – 59 / F
20%
Portfolio / 10%

QUIZZES:

Quizzes are to be taken weekly. You have unlimited times until you get the grade you want. There will be a quiz based on the assigned chapters on the texts and on the discussions available on D2L through the Quia Website. They expire on Monday at midnight. To access the quizzes, you need to open an account on Quia: Go to and click on "create an account" as you would do on Facebook or Gmail. Once you have an account, log in with the ID and password you created. Click on "student zone," add the class using the code: CKBR344. No make-up quizzes will be given. Emergencies will be handled on an individual basis. (Other exams, plane reservations, etc. are not valid emergencies.)

QUESTIONS ON THE READINGS:

Weekly, bring to class 5 thought/response questions typed for discussion. Turn them in at the beginning of every class. You should turn in 1 copy and keep one for you to write down the answers being discussed. This is also part of your portfolio.

PUBLIC LECTURES AND REFLECTION ESSAYS:

You are expected to attend 4 events about Latin America and turn in a 1-PAGE, typed, double-spaced reflection by Wednesday, April 18th. The format includes movies during the Film Festival lectures, informal talks, webinars, etc. Although the professor will announce these events, you are encouraged to find additional events on your own. Keep in mind that a reflective essay is not a summary of the material, but rather a thoughtful analysis of a work, a discussion of what you learned from it, and engaging in critical discussion with the subject.See events here:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

Students are expected to maintain a high level of integrity. Students submitting the work of others, or those making use of any dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means for their projects, will obtain a grade of zero. No excuses. No exceptions. No tolerance. See official UWM statement here

COUNTRY PRESENTATION

Write a report about a country: origin, currency, capital, etc., add current news, and report on a particular issue (e.g. “San Pedro Sula in Honduras is the most dangerous city in the world”) Your presentation needs to evidence an accurate and provable account of your argument. Saying“All Puerto Ricans drink a lot”just because your neighbor, who was Puerto Rican, drank endlessly, is not scientific evidence. Presentations begin on February 21st.

PROJECT PROPOSAL/ LIBRARY RESEARCH:

Has the class sparked an interesting idea? Do you want to explore something not covered in class? Here is where you do it! In pairs, write a proposal following the guidelines in the proposal outline. Your first step is to conduct library research on a topic of your interest in the form of an annotated bibliography (what-where-why) of five references –one must be a journal and one must be a credible online reference. You will use this research for your final project. Due on April 4th. Choose your partner wisely!

FINAL PROJECT FOR THE CREATIVE SOUL:

Following your approved proposals, you will make a YouTube video or VoiceThread documentary of about 10 minutes. For extra credit, you may choose to carry this out in Spanish with English subtitles. Presentation of your project is on April 25th. Final Projects, revised are due on May9th. Click here to see sample projects.See rubric on D2L.

PORTFOLIO:

This is an instrument to help you learn. You must keep ALL your work, go over the professor’s notes and file it on a binder. Portfolio is due at the end of the semester, on or before May 10th. See rubric on D2L.

F CLASSIQUETTE

  • No computers or tablets allowed. Canadian study suggests using computers during lectures could be hurting their grades and lowering their classmates’ marks.
  • No cell phones, please. No texting!
  • Listen respectfully when others are speaking.
  • Profanity and disrespectful language or behavior towards others will NOT be tolerated.
  • As much as I appreciate your participation, please be considerate and avoid monopolizing other’s attention and time for learning.

G ADDITIONAL REMARKS

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY:

You have received this syllabus in advance: make sure to familiarize with all the items in it. Know where to get your materials. You are responsible for the readings assigned for the day and must be prepared to discuss general and/or specific issues in relation to the topic in study. We will discuss different topics in class based on the assigned readings for the week. Participation grades are based on my qualitative assessment of your contribution to class discussions. Come to class having already read assigned material. Be able to demonstrate familiarity with assigned readings and critical thinking ability. Active insightful participation, defined as your preparation for class and the effort made to take part in the discussions, is of utmost importance in this class. Lack of active participation may reflect negatively on your grade.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Your class performance is greatly affected by your attendance, preparation for class, and the effort made to answer questions and take part in class and group activities. NOTE: Class attendance is of utmost importance in this class. Absences from class may reflect negatively on your grade. MAKE UPS will not be given for any graded work without official documented excuses and will be scheduled at my convenience.

INTERNET/COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS

You will have considerable amount of online work. This class requires basic computer skills such as getting online, typing, using the mouse, controlling the volume, remembering passwords, etc.

CLACS Website:

Tutorial for LACS 101 is located here:

The guide was designed to support a database evaluation project CLACS has used with the LACS students. You will find a list of databases and then a set of videos that demonstrate strategies for finding the databases, searching for articles on relevant topics and then finally locating articles in their source journals.

I UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Participation by Students with Disabilities

If you need special accommodations in order to meet any of the requirements of this course, please contact me as soon as possible. Students are to provide a copy of their Verified Individual Services and Accommodations (VISA) to indicate the accommodations they may need for the class.

Accommodation for Religious Observances

Students will be allowed to complete examinations or other requirements that are missed because of a religious observance. A copy of the policy is located on the web at: In addition, links to the current religious calendar can be found at:

Students Called to Active Military Duty

Both the University of Wisconsin System and UWM have policies in place to accommodate students who must temporarily lay aside their educational pursuits when called to active duty in the military. Go to for more detailed information.

Academic Misconduct

The university has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others' academic endeavors. A more detailed description of Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures may be found in Regents Policy Statements, UWS Chapter 14 and UWM Faculty Document #1686.

Complaint Procedures

You may direct complaints to the chairperson of Spanish and Portuguese. If the complaint allegedly violates a specific university policy, it may be directed to the head of the department in which the complaint occurred or to the appropriate university office responsible for enforcing the policy.

Grade Appeal Procedures

You may appeal a grade on the grounds that it is based on a capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. Such an appeal shall follow the established procedures adopted by the department, college, or school in which the course resides. These procedures are available in writing from the respective department chairperson or the Academic Dean of the College/School. A more detailed description of the grade Appeal Policy may be found in UWM Selected Academic and Administrative Policies, Policy #S-28 and UWM Faculty Document #1243.

Discriminatory Conduct (including sexual harassment)

UWM does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, and has established procedures for the investigation and remedy of such conduct.

Late Policy

Late policy: minus 5% project mark per day, including weekends. Late penalties will be strictly applied to assignments submitted late without previous approval for extension, unless documentation of illness or emergency can be presented.

Incomplete

A notation of "incomplete" may be given in lieu of a final grade to a student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester but who, because of illness or other unusual and substantiated cause beyond the student's control, has been unable to take or complete the final examination or to complete some limited amount of term work. An incomplete is not given unless you prove to the instructor that you were prevented from completing course requirements for just cause as indicated above. A more detailed description of the Incomplete Policy may be found in UWM Selected Academic and Administrative Policies, Policy #S-31 and UWM Faculty Documents #1558 and #1602. Also, a description of this policy may be found in UWM Schedule of Classes.

FERPA Reminder

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 requiressigned consent before disclosing your educational records to someone else.

Other useful academic resources for any of your UWM courses include the Peer Outreach and Mentoring Center in Union WG10 (229-6338, the Writing Center in Curtin 382 (229-4339, and the Tutoring and Academic Resource Center (TARC) in Bolton 180 (229-3726,

J CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Date / What to do DURING class: / What to do BEFORE next class?
  • Videos, Preconceptions
  • Write questions that you may have about Latin America.
  • Intro to the class: how stuff works…
  • How to study for this course, how to get your books.
  • Terminology. What is Latin American? What is in a term?
  • Geography of the region. “Our America…”
  • Suggested movie to watch at home: A Day without a Mexican.
/
  • Get your books.
  • Create a Quia account.
  • Get news about Latin America.
  • ReadGaleano’s “Seven Years After,” “Foreword” and “Introduction.”
  • Read LAS “Glossary” and “Geography”
  • Take first quiz on D2L.

  • Children of the Days
  • Galeano’s “Seven Years After,” “Foreword” and “Introduction.”
  • LAS “Glossary” and “Geography”
  • Why did Venezuelan president give Obama the book—in Spanish?
  • Suggested movie to watch at home: Under the Same Moon.
/
  • Get news
  • ReadGaleano’s “Lust for Gold…”
  • Take quiz
  • Sign up for your country presentation.

  • Children of the Days.
  • Galeano’s “Lust for Gold…”
  • Who are we? Who were we?
  • “Frijolero,” Music in translation: from the U.S. through the Patagonia.
/
  • Get news
  • Read Gonzalez’ “Puerto Rico: The Four-Storeyed Country” on D2L
  • Children of the Days.

  • Children of the Days.
  • Independence! Really?
  • Gonzalez’ “Puerto Rico: The Four-Storeyed Country”
/
  • Get news
  • Children of the Days.
  • Read LAS “Politics”
  • Take quiz
  • Sign up for your country presentation. Prepare for it!

  • Children of the Days.
  • LAS “Politics”
  • First Paper Due
  • Country Presentations begin.
/
  • Get news
  • ReadGaleano’s “King Sugar…”
  • Take quiz
  • Children of the Days.

  • Children of the Days./ Country Presentations.
  • Sugar, Bananas, Maquilas…
  • Galeano’s “King Sugar…”
  • Suggested movie to watch at home: The Price of Sugar
/
  • Get news
  • Prepare your country presentation!
  • Watch PBS or Read Gates’ “Black in Latin America.”
  • Read ¿Y tuagüela, aondeejtá? on D2L by Fernando FortunatoVizcarondo
  • Read LAS “Race in L.A.” (10)

  • LAS "Race in Latin America"
  • PBS or Gates’ “Black in Latin America.
  • Africa Dwells in LA.
  • Suggested movie to watch at home: City of God or Bus 174
/
  • Read LAS “Colonialism”

  • Spring Break!

  • Children of the Days./ Country Presentations.
  • Our America has what The USChina needs…
  • Galeano’s “Invisible Sources of Power.”
  • LAS “Colonialism”
  • Second Paper Due
/
  • Get news
  • Prepare your country presentation!
  • ReadGaleano’s “Tales of Premature Death.”
  • Who’s your partner?

  • Children of the Days./ Country Presentations.
  • Galeano’s “Tales of Premature Death.”
  • Going North…Read Jorge Ramos’ “Dying to Cross…”
/
  • Get news
  • Prepare your country presentation!
  • Read Dying to Cross.
  • Take Quiz
  • Finish your proposal!

  • Children of the Days.
  • RESEARCH PROPOSAL DUEProposal and Annotated Bibliography
  • Suggested movie to watch at home: Innocent Voices
/
  • Get news
  • Prepare your country presentation!
  • Read LAS “Civilization”
  • Read LAS “Literatures (5),” “Approaches (6)” “Visual Cultures (8)” and “Pop Culture (9)”

  • Children of the Days.
  • Literature and LiteratureS; Culture vsCultureS
  • LAS “Literatures,” “Approaches” “Visual Cultures” and “Pop Culture”
  • Latin Looks, Rodríguez
  • Soap Opera Clips /Barbie Latina
  • Third Paper due
/
  • Get news
  • Prepare your country presentation!
  • Take quiz
  • Read LAS “Latino Lit (7),” and “Gender (11)”
  • Turn in your fourth paper

  • Children of the Days.
  • LAS “Latino Lit,” and “Gender”
  • Neoloberalism and FTAs
  • Fourth AND LAST Paper Due
/
  • Get news
  • Take quiz
  • Read Chapter 12 in LAS.
  • Finalize details for your project presentations.

  • Final Project Presentations: what to improve?
/
  • Take quiz
  • Get news
  • Prepare your country presentation!
  • Find out about “Pedagogy of the Oppressed”

  • Children of the Days.
  • Social Movements
  • Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Freire
  • General Questions

  • FINAL PROJECT

FOR FURTHER READING: