The Latin American Experience

Dr. Gonzalo Santos   SOC 439   Fall 2000

Office: DDH-AA 205
Office Hours: 10:00 am — 12:00 pm, Tu.W.Th.

Textbooks

• John Ross. 1998. The Annexation of Mexico. From the Aztecs to the I.M.F.. Monroe, Maine: Common Courage Press.

• Robert N. Gwynne & Cristobal Kay, eds. 1999. Latin America Transformed. Globalization & Modernity. New York: Oxford University Press.

The nations of Latin America & the Caribbean may be diverse, but they share a common historical experience and face many common challenges today. This course explores the region at the continental and the national levels, from colonial times to the present, from the perspective of the historical social sciences. We will focus on key aspects of these experiences, such as the legacy of Iberian colonialism, nation-building and ethnicity, economic & political transformations, migration & urbanization, globalization & social stratification, religious trends, the role of women, war & revolution. We first explore these themes in Mexico. We then extend the analysis to the entire Latin American region as a semiperiphery of the world-system.

Attendance to class is mandatory. The lectures and class discussions will focus on the textbooks On Mondays & Wednesdays; we will see videos on Fridays. Students will keep a journal of critical thinking entries on (a) all reading assignments (pre and post class) and (b) all videos shown (post class). All students must write three research papers on topics related to the Latin American experience (first one must be on Mexico). The topics must be approved by Dr. Santos. The deadlines for the papers are Oct. 13, Nov. 3, and Nov. 28, respectively. The last paper must be turned in before 4:30 pm in Dr. Santos office or mailbox. Papers must be at least 10 pages long (apart from the bibliography), double spaced, font 10, & have one-inch margins.

For every absence a point will be taken off the final grade (and for every tardiness or early departure half-a-point will be taken off). The research papers will count for 25 points each. The journal will count for 15 points. Active class participation will count for the remaining 10 points. On a scale of 100, the final grades will be given as follows: