History of Latin America TELECOURSE: HISTORY 18B
FALL 2008
Instructor: Greg Landau
City College of San Francisco
Latin American Studies Department
Phelan Campus
Box S-76, Office S-186
San Francisco, CA 94112
email: glandau@rocketmail.com
For administrative questions related to telecourses call the Telecourse Office (415) 239-3885
Greg Landau's Office Hours: Mondays 5:30-6:30 pm or Thursdays 5:30-6:30 pm Mission Campus or by appointment
COURSE OVERVIEW
I would like to welcome you to this telecourse with this letter and introduce myself to each and every one of you. I am Greg Landau, your instructor for this course and I will be available for you via email at any time or by telephone either at the established office hours or at other times that can be arranged. I will do my best to answer your questions and to help you with any problems that you may have with the course work.
The course will consist of readings from two textbooks, videos on DVD (available in the library), and a study guide that will help you to review the materials in the course and test yourself to see if you are understanding the big picture. This telecourse is based on a unique package of print and video materials that provides a broad perspective of Latin American history that goes beyond a simple recounting of dates, places and famous people. These videos will provide you with some of the sounds and images that will bring the study of Latin America to life, giving more meaning to the printed words and allowing you to experience the sounds and sights of the places you are studying. You will hear first hand the words of famous Latin American leaders such as Fidel Castro, Salvador Allende, Sub-Commandante Marcos and many others. You might even find yourself dancing along to reggae or salsa music during your video viewing sessions. Don't get carried away though, you should take notes while you watch the videos as you would in a lecture in order to review the material later.
This course will require a substantial amount of reading and written work at the end of each lesson as well as a five-page paper, a mid-term and final. The telecourse requires a certain amount of self-discipline and motivation to keep up with the work and not fall behind the schedule. It would be a good idea to schedule regular study periods a few times a week to view the videos, take notes, read the books and finish the review questions at the end of each lesson. Following this plan you should have no problem in completing the course and enjoying a rewarding but challenging experience.
This course is not only about those places south of the Rio Grande but also to this country that is a part of the American continent with a large and quickly growing Latin American population. This course will explore the cultural diversity of this hemisphere and the historical roots of the political and social realities that we face today. The lessons will provide an overview of the important political and social movements in this hemisphere and the concepts that motivate them.
We will organize a study group for those of you that would like to get together and watch the videos as a group or have discussions to prepare for the exams.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attend the following:
Ocean Campus
Bungalow 220
Check out the DVD’s at the Rosenberg Library 4th floor circulation desk, there is a copy for each of the registered students. Bring your student ID to check it out.
All meetings will be at Bungalow 220
Orientation: 8/23, 10-12pm or 8/26, 5-7pm *
Midtem review 10/4 10-12Pm or 10/7 5-7pm
Midterm: 10/11, 10-12pm or 10/14, 5-7pm *
Final Review 11/29 10-12pm or 12/2 5-7pm
Final: 12/6, 10-12pm or 12/9, 5-7pm
Turn in (at least) a five page TYPED research paper postmarked any time before 11/14, 5:00 p.m. Mail it to:
Greg Landau, CCSF, 50 Phelan Ave S76, San Francisco CA 94112
or drop it off at my office in Science 186. The paper should relate to an issue presented in the course material and use references, footnotes or endnotes to note sources (MLA, etc.) . The topic should be about a current issue on Latin American politics or culture that is linked to the class material. Make sure you cite your sources and include a complete bibliography. I will explain this in depth and give you examples so it will be clear before you start. Please try to use some of these recommended readings as a resource and a means of exploring the issues that are most interesting to you and your future studies. Feel free to consult me about your topic and discuss with me at any time.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1. Modern Latin America
Sixth Edition (not any other)
Thomas E. Skidmore and Peter H. Smith
Oxford University Press, 2000
(Don't buy the 3rd, 4th or 5th editions even if they are cheaper)
2. Americas; The Changing Face of Latin America and the Caribbean
Peter Winn, University of California Press 3rd edition (newest edition)
OPTIONAL
3. Americas Study Guide
Bernadette M. Orr with Barbara Cruz
Oxford University Press, 1993
| Americas |
Modern Latin America |
Videos |
|
| Lesson 1- week of 8/25 |
Americas: Chapter 1 “A View From the South” |
Modern Latin America: Prologue |
|
| Lesson 2- week of 9/1 |
Americas: Chapter 2-Legacies of Empire |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 1 The Colonial Foundations |
Video: Saul Landau Interview |
| Lesson 3- week of 9/8 |
Americas: Chapter 3- The Perils of Progress |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 2- The Transformation of Latin America 1880’s-2000’s |
Video: The Sixth Sun: Mayan Uprising in Chiapas |
| Lesson 4- week of 9/15 |
Americas: Chapter 4- A Second Independence? |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 3- Argentina |
Video: Maquila: A Tale of Two Mexicos |
| Lesson 5- week of 9/22 |
Americas: Chapter 5- Capital Sins |
Modern Latin America: Brazil; Prosperity for Whom |
|
| Lesson 6- week of 9/29 |
Americas: Chapter 6-Continent on the Move |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 8- Mexico; The Taming of the Revolution |
Video: Interview with Allende |
| Lesson 7- week of 10/6 Review for Midterm |
Americas: Chapter 7- Children of the Sun Attend Midterm Review Session |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 6 Peru: Soldiers Oligarchs and Indians |
10/4 10-12Pm or 10/7 5-7pm |
| Lesson 8- week of 10/13 Midterm: 10/11, 10-12pm or 10/14, 5-7pm |
Americas: Chapter 8- A Question of Color THIS WILL BE ON THE MIDTERM. EVERYTHING AFTER THIS WILL BE COVERED IN THE FINAL. |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 10-The Caribbean; Colonies and Mini-States |
Video: Steppin’ |
| Lesson 9-Week of 10/20 |
Americas: Chapter 9- In Women’s Hands |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 4-Chile: Socialism, Repression and Democracy |
Video: Que Hacer |
| Lesson 10- week of 10/27 |
Americas-Chapter 10; The Power and the Glory |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 11- Central America: Colonialism, Dictatorship and Revolution |
Video: Target Nicaragua |
| Lesson 11- week of 11/03 |
Americas: Chapter 11- The Magical and the Real |
Modern Latin America: Colombia: Discord Civility and Violence |
Video: Rock Down Central America |
| Lesson 12- week of 11/10 |
Americas: Chapter 12-Endangered States |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 12-Latin America, the United States and the World |
Video: Fidel |
| Lesson 13- week of 11/17 |
Americas-Chapter 13-Making Revolution |
Modern Latin America: Chapter 9; Cuba; Late Colony, First Socialist State |
Video: The Uncompromising Revolution |
| TURN IN RESEARCH PAPER (See next page for instructions) |
11/14 bef0re 5pm |
||
| Lesson 14- week of 11/25 |
Americas: Chapter 14; North of the Border |
Modern Latin America: Epilogue; What Future for Latin America? |
Video: Five Days in March |
| Lesson 15- week of 12/1 Review for Final |
Attend Final Review Session, |
11/29, 10-12pm or 12/2, 5-7pm |
|
| FINAL EXAM |
Final: 12/6, 10-12pm or 12/9, 5-7pm |
Instructions for Writing the Research Paper
Typed double spaced, with footnotes, endnotes or some other means of citing your reference materials and data as well as a clear bibliography. If you have questions about how to do this go to the library and ask or find some references online. Try: http://www.spsu.edu/library/StyleGuide/StyleGuide.html
The object of this assignment is to refine your critical thinking skills by acquiring data and interpreting it to make a statement about a historical issue in Latin America. If possible I would like you to use at least one primary source; that is someone you can talk to directly to acquire information and perspectives about your topic or a source that you can interact with directly, an exhibit, gallery, film etc. You should also use references to other texts or online resources.
Choosing a Topic
Try to find a topic that is close to your own experience or something that has caught your attention in this class. I know you are busy so pick something that will not be difficult to research for you. Know someone from Mexico? El Salvador? Been to the Mexican Museum? A Salsa Club? Walked down Cesar Chavez Ave. lately? Carnival? Day of the Dead? Murals in the Mission? Buena Vista Social Club? Che Guevara? Curious about those Botanicas with statues of saints and love potions around the Mission? Like Bob Marley songs? Have relatives in or from Latin America? How do they view the historical events we are reading about?
Examples of possible topics:
The Impact of the Zapatista Uprising on Mexican Politics
Migration and diversity in the Latino Community of San Francisco
Cuisine and Cultural Change; The Emergence of the Taco in United States Culture
Tropicalism and Social Change; Brazilian Music and Politics
Selena; Bilingualism and the Emergence of a Latino USA
Citations and References
Please cite your sources using footnotes, endnotes or some form of attributing the sources of your data. I will return it to you if does not have this. If you are not sure how to do this go to the library and they will give materials and provide you with reference books. It is not difficult and this is important in a research paper to let me know where you got your data from. Also include a bibliography that includes all of the reference materials.
When you write a research paper, there are two places where you must cite the sources you used: Within the text of the paper and at the end in the "sources cited" page. There are three common styles used to cite sources. They are Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA) and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS).
DO NOT USE THE WORD I, ME, WE, MINE OR ANY FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE UNLESS THE PAPER IS ABOUT YOU. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR OPINIONS, JUST ANALYSIS BASED ON THE DATA YOU HAVE COLLECTED EITHER FROM BOOKS OR INTERVIEWS OR BOTH. WHEN POSSIBLE INCLUDE THE WORDS OF THE PERSON YOU ARE INTERVIEWING AND THEN COMMENT ON THEIR NARRATIVE, TRY NOT TO PARAPHRASE TOO MUCH.
The paper should be at least 5 pages long and should include either footnotes, endnotes or any other academically recognized citation method. It should be typed, double spaced and include a clearly written introduction that addresses the following issues. What is your topic and why is it important? How does this issue fit into a larger perspective of Latin America?
CORRESPONDENCE
You will receive correspondence from me during the course of the semester. One mailing will appear before the midterm and another before the final. Make certain that the Telecourse Office has your current address. Important information will be mailed to you and it is your responsibility to make sure that we have the correct address. Be sure to inform either myself or the Telecourse Office of any changes in your address.
GRADING
The grading for the course will be broken down as follows:
1. Mid-term 33%
2. Research Paper 33%
3. In-class Final 33%
4. Answering trick question 1%
Don't stress out about the grades; enjoy the class and the experience of getting to know Latin America and more about the country we live in.