Mark A. MartinezLatin America 309

Winter 2008 CSU, bakersfield

POLITICS IN MODERN LATIN AMERICA

This is a survey course of politics in modern Latin America. Drawing from modernization, dependency and post-dependency “neoliberal” schools of thought this course will evaluate the development of Latin America from both an historical and a contemporary perspective. From modernization and dependency school we will learn that linear models of development and claims of exploitation – while interesting and even sustainable in some instances – are too simplistic for understanding politics and society in Latin America. Related to this, we will also learn how cold war policies and programs created pressures for conflict and social change which, in turn, placed limits on the options available to Latin America’s leaders during the 20th century. Many of these limits, as we will see in the second half of the course, have been lifted by the end of the cold war but have been replaced by new challenges as we head further into the 21st century.

This background will allow us to understand not only how political and economic forces have defined what is possible throughout Latin America’s history, but how individual players and the challenges of contemporary Latin America continue to be shaped by these forces. To bring this course to life, every week we will focus on specific individuals or countries to illustrate the relationship between economic forces, social change, and political development in Latin America. In sum, without depending on any one linear or deterministic theory of change, we will examine the impact that economic and political development has had on Latin America, and what this means for the development prospects of Latin America in the 21st century.

Required Texts

The following books are required:

  1. Gregory Weeks. U.S. and Latin American Relations. NY, NY: Pearson-Longman, 2008.
  1. John Charles Chasteen. Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America, Second Edition. NY, NY: Norton, 2006.
  1. Eric P. Roorda. The Dictator Next Door: The Good Neighbor Policy and the Trujillo Regime in the Dominican Republic, 1930-1945. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1998.
  1. One of the following is required (to be determined in class):
  1. Stephen Schlesinger and Stephen Kinzer. Bitter Fruit: The Untold Story of the American Coup in Guatemala. NY, NY: Double Day, 1990 (also on Library Reserve).
  2. Pamela Constable and Arturo Valenzuela.A Nation of Enemies: Chile Under Pinochet. NY, NY: Norton, 1991.
  3. Nikolas Kozloff. Hugo Chavez: Oil, Politics, and the Challenge to the U.S.NY, NY: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2007.

Grading and Course Requirements

Mid-terms and the paper count for 20%, for a total of 60% of your final grade. The final exam represents 30% of your grade for a total of 90%. Presentations and class participation will represent 10% of your final grade, for a total of 100%. Blue books are required for exams. Failure to secure a blue book for the exam will result in a partial grade penalty on your exam; e.g. from a “B+” to a “B”. Each student will be required to:

(1)Submit a 7-8 page term paper;

(2)Take two 1 hour written mid-term exams;

(3)Provide an abstract of their paper topic (at the time of the first mid-term);

(4)Develop a 5-6 frame power point presentation from the listed texts;

(5)Make a brief presentation of their paper topic, immediately after mid-term #1;

(6)Take a final comprehensive exam;

(7)Participate in lecture discussions.

Finally, because political science is a field of observation and analysis, exams, papers, and presentations must be both well organized and analytical - and not merely descriptive. As such, successful exams, papers, and presentations will exhibit the following elements:

(1)Identify the key problems of the topic or issues.

(2)Identify and evaluate alternative points of view.

(3)Elaboration of your own argument. Here the student should try to identify why one argument is superior or weaker to another.

In other words, the analysis should compare and present all the relevant possibilities, while arguing and presenting the strength and weakness of each alternative presented.

Paper Guidelines

It is expected that the term papers will: have 7-8pages, include a title page, have page numbers, have proper margins, be double-spaced, have 24-27 lines per page, be 10-12 size font, have proper citations, be stapled (no plastic folders), be presented inBatang (size 10), Courier (size 11), Palatino (size 11),Times(size 12), orTimes New Roman (size 12), include a separate bibliography page, contain a suitable conclusion, and have at least 10 references (course texts can not be counted as a separate reference; internet sources limited to two, unless cleared by the instructor). Deviations from these guidelines will count against your final paper grade. In sum, scholarly style and presentation are expected. Papers are due at the beginning of class, on our final lecture day TBA.

Class attendance / Decorum / Electrical Equipment

It is my view that you are all mature adults who have made genuine commitments to your education. Because I believe you are committed to your education, I do not take roll, do not require attendance, and do not require you to call me if you are not going to be in class. The assumption is that you already understand the significance of being responsible students and recognize the importance of honoring your commitment to your education.

Part of making this commitment is being aware that you are participating in a public forum every time you enter class. For this reason I expect every student to follow basic public standards and university etiquette while in class, and will:

(1)Arrive on time.

(2)Not talk during class lecture.

(3)Not walk out in the middle of lecture (breaks will be given).

(4)Not bring in anything to eat or snack on (something to drink is fine).

(5)Be active participants in your education process. This means adhering to the above four points and coming prepared to do more than “just take notes.”

Finally, it is expected that students will respect the environment of the class – and the wishes of other students – and turn off beepers, cell phones, or any other electrical equipment that have the potential for disrupting the continuity of class. Failure to respect these guidelines during class lecture will be treated with accordingly. Failure to respect these guidelines during an exam or a presentation will result in an automatic five (5) point deduction from the mid-term exam grade of the offending party. If you believe you have a reason to be exempt from these “electrical” guidelines please see me at your earliest convenience. In return for your undivided attention I promise to provide a constructive and stimulating intellectual environment.

Make Up Exams / Late Assignments / Extra Credit

I will honor requests to take an early (1 day) final exam only for students that can show they have two or more finals to take on the day of our final. Otherwise, medical or personal emergencies notwithstanding, if you can not make it to the exams, or can not turn in your written assignment on time, you should drop this course. As a general rule, to avoid the inevitable “computer crash,” stalled car, or mortally ill grandmother, you should have your assignments finished, and be prepared for exams, at least three days prior to the activity date. Put another way, printing problems, computer crashes, car problems, “I’m not on campus that day,” etc. are not acceptable excuses for suspending your commitments in this class. Finally, I WILL NOT honor requests of previously purchased plane tickets,“surprise” tickets, or other transportation arrangements,that require you to leave campus before finals. If you are traveling during finals week either drop this course or be prepared to accept an “F” on your final exam.

Instructor Information

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Office: BDC 241Office Hours: M-F 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Wed. 10:15 pm – 10:30 pm

(and by appointment)

Phone: 654-2352 (voice mail)E-Mail:

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Part I

From Colonialism to Rebellion & Independence

Week 1: From Colonialism to Independence & Hispanic Capitalism
  • Chasteen: Chapters 1-3.

Week 2: The Post-Colonial Transformation of Latin America

  • Chasteen: Chapters 4-5.
  • Weeks: Chapters 1-2.

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- Mid-Term #1 -

Wednesday, January 16

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Part II

U.S.-Latin American Relations through the Cold War

Week 3: From Good Neighbors to U.S. Hegemony

  • Chasteen: Chapters 6.
  • Weeks: Chapters 3-4.
  • Roorda: Chapters 1-4.
Week 4: The Cold War and Latin America
  • Weeks: Chapter 5.
  • Roorda: Chapters 5-8.
  • Video: PBS documentaries on Nicaragua and/or El Salvador.

Week 5: Social Science and the Study of Latin America

  • Stephen Schlesinger and Stephen Kinzer: The entire book.
  • Handout: J. Samuel Valenzuela & Arturo Valenzuela, “Modernization and Dependency,” in Comparative Politics, 6th edition, (Dorsey Press, 1986).
Week 6: Utopia Unarmed -- The Rise and Decline of the Left in Latin America
  • Weeks: Chapter6-7.
  • Chasteen: Chapter 7-8.

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- Mid-Term #2 -

Monday, February18

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Part III

From the “Lost Decade” to Neoliberal Revolution

Week 7: From the “Lost Decade” to Neoliberal Revolution

  • Handout: William P. Glade, “The Latin American Economies Restructure, Again,” in Jan Knippers Black, Latin America: Its Problems and Its Promise (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998), 145-161.
  • Constable and Valenzuela: The entire book.
  • Weeks:Chapter 8.

Week 8: The Neoliberal Revolution and Economic Regionalism

  • Chasteen: Chapters 9-10.
  • Chasteen: Chapter 10.

Part IV

Current Issues in Latin America

Week 9: U.S. Policy, Immigration, Oil, and Narco-Terrorism

  • Weeks: Chapters 10-11
  • Chasteen: Chapter 9.
  • Kozloff: The entire book.

Week 10: Human Rights & Democracy inLatin America

  • Weeks: Chapter 10.

*** PAPERS DUE: Monday, March 10 / 12:00 pm***

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- FINAL -

Wednesday / March 12, 2008

8:00 am - 10:30 pm

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Suggested Films

The Mission, with Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons, 1986;

Frida, with Salma Hayek, 2002;

In the Time of the Butterflies, with Salma Hayek and Edward James Olmos, 2001;

Romero, with Raul Julia and Richard Jordan, 1989;

The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story, with Raul Julia, Edward James Olmos and Sonia Braga, 1994.

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