|
F2017 Syllabus – Texas Wesleyan University |
Instructor: Chris Ohan |
|
HIS 4340-01 Modern Latin America |
Office: PMC 244 |
|
Meeting: Thurs 1:30-4 Location: McF 205 |
Phone: 817-531-4913 Office Hours: Mon/Wed 11-12; 1:30-3:30; Tues 2:30-5;
Thurs 9:30-1:00, or by appointment. |
|
Web: www.historymuse.net |
E-mail: cohan@txwes.edu |
“The U.S. will do anything for Latin America, except
read about it.”
-James Reston, political commentator
The Course: A study of Latin America from roots of independence
to the present with particular attention to economic, social, and political developments
and cultural achievements.
Learning
Outcomes:
Learning
Objectives History Program Goals
|
Objective
1: Upon successful completion of this
class, you should have a fuller and more balanced view, a greater
appreciation and understanding of the complexity of the Latin American
experience. |
1.
Develop a general knowledge of human history, including a basic chronology of
both western and non-western societies covering time periods from the ancient
to the modern. |
|
Objective
2: a. You should be able to compare,
analytically, historic events and issues and trace them to contemporary
concerns, especially within the American hemisphere. b. To make these
comparisons, you should be familiar with various types of sources from the
period, including text, art and artifact.
C. This course
will provide students with an understanding of the period through a
discussion several types of sources relevant to the period: historical
interpretation, literary, and even hagiography. |
2. Understand Historical Interpretation and
Historiography. |
|
Objective
3: a. Through the readings, in-class
discussions and writing assignments, you should acquire the ability to
distinguish between and use primary and secondary sources for the period. b. Through the exam essays
you should be able to apply basic historical methods of research to interpret
the period. |
3.
Learn the various skills associated with the craft of history. These skills
include: a.
Reading Comprehension and Cognitive Skills b.
Historical Thinking Skills c.
Research Skills d.
Written Communication Skills e.
Oral Communication Skills f.
Computer Literacy |
|
Objective
4: This course is optional for history
majors and satisfies the 3-hour degree requirement for a Modern Latin American
history class. It will help prepare
those who go into teaching on the middle and secondary levels. |
4.
Students completing a major in the Department of History will be prepared to
enter graduate programs in History, teach History in secondary or middle
schools, or enter other careers open to graduates with degrees in the Liberal
Arts. |
|
Required
Materials:
|
Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, a concise
history of Latin America (Norton, 4th) |
|
|
Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, Latin American
Voices, a reader (Norton, 2nd) Márquez,
The General in His Labyrinth (Penguin) Ball,
Blessed Miguel Pro Rabe,
The Killing Zone (Oxford) |
Instructional
Methods/Class Format:
Most classes will consist of lecture and discussions of texts from the
reader. Do not hesitate to bring up
relevant questions and comments. On the
university level, and especially in a senior-level class, I assume that you
will complete the assigned readings for each week. It is also assumed that you will attend all
classes.
Class Schedule: See p. 5 below.
Evaluation
and Grading: Your grade for the semester will be based on two
take-home exam essays (midterm and final) each counting one-sixth of the
semester grade. Three critical book reviews
will each be worth one sixth. The final
sixth of the semester grade will be based on in-class participation. (Note: one sixth is approximately 17%.)
Grades will be assigned
according to the following percentages: 90-100=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-69=D;
0-59=F
Exams: Exams will be out-of-class written essays
answering a series of questions provided one week prior to the due date. The midterm essay will be due by the start of
class on 12 October. The final exam is
due 7 December by 1pm. Both will be
submitted by the due date/time in Blackboard.
Book Reviews: You are responsible for completing three book
reviews. The book reviews will be
submitted in Blackboard by the start of class as follows: Márquez
(2 October), Ball
(2 November), Rabe (30 November). See
guidelines/format below.
Class Participation: A large portion of class time will be devoted
to discussion. Discussions will draw primarily
on the readings from the reader as well as the three texts assigned for
critical review. Your class
participation grade will consist of my evaluation of your preparedness and the
level of your participation in these discussions. Obviously, if you are not present or don’t
talk, your participation grade will be low.
Attendance is mandatory.
If you miss more than 1 class (for us, the equivalent of one week)
consider the effect on your grade.
Should you miss more, please do not offer excuses, notes or request
special consideration. Keep in mind a)
that “dropping a course” is perfectly legitimate when circumstances arise that
prevent you from completion, and b) that I should not be expected to change
class expectations based on your circumstances.
You are responsible for all class assignments regardless of
attendance. Quizzes covering assigned
readings may be given at any time and factored into the course grade at the
discretion of the instructor. If you are
unable to complete this course, you must withdraw from it. Please note that if you miss more than the
equivalent of one-week’s worth of class, I reserve the right to drop you from
the course. The drop date this term is
Tuesday, November 14.
Class
Participation. A large portion of class time will be devoted
to discussion. Discussions will draw
primarily on the primary source readings from the Chasteen reader and monographs. Your class participation will consist of my
evaluation of your preparedness and the level of your participation in these
discussions. Obviously, if you are
absent on a discussion day you will be unable to participate very
effectively.
Internet/Blackboard: Feel free to
send email to the address above. Please
assume I have no idea who you are so include your name and course number in the
message. Keep in mind that I will not
entertain discussion about grades, missed classes &etc over email—that’s
why faculty have office hours. In
addition, this syllabus, the lecture/reading schedule, some of the course
readings and any other class handouts will be posted on the above web
address. Announced changes to the
lecture/reading schedule will be reflected in the schedule’s online version. All student work will be turned in through
Blackboard.
Academic Integrity:
Familiarize yourself
with Wesleyan’s Honesty Policy.
Academics are not only devoted to learning, research, and the
advancement of knowledge, but also to the development of ethically sensitive
and responsible persons. By accepting membership in this class, you are joining
a community characterized by free expression, free inquiry, honesty, respect
for others, and participation in constructive change.
Academic Misconduct is
a breach of university policy.
Misconduct includes:
Academic
Misconduct (Dishonesty of any kind on examinations or on written assignments,
illegal possession of questions, the use of unauthorized notes during an
examination, or obtaining information during an examination from another
student are examples of cheating) will not be tolerated in this course. Any
offense will result in an F in the class (not simply on the assignment) and be
referred to the appropriate academic officials for adjudication. If you have
any questions regarding this subject please see me. For a detailed description and further
clarification, please see “Plagiarism and
Academic Dishonesty” on my webpage, or pages 74-76 in the Wesleyan
Catalog.
Miscellaneous:
·
I grade the quality
of your work rather than the amount of time and effort you spend on it.
·
I will strive to help
you perform at your best.
My Goal in teaching this class is that you develop an understanding of the
scope and relevance of modern Latin American history; that you can understand
current issues in Latin American history in context. In our class, ideas will hold precedence over
facts, dates, and the like. History is
NOT about memorization of factual information but a discipline that analyzes,
interprets and creates an account of the past.
It is important that you consider the classroom a forum for
discussion—of anything related to the themes and topics of the course. (Of course, any argument—whether spoken or
written—must be supported.) While I (or
other students) may challenge beliefs/perspectives, realize that the purpose is
not to change them. That said, an
open/tolerant attitude is essential in this class. Remember—this is a college course where you
ought to be able to discuss things openly and intelligently. If you choose to be intolerant and interrupt class
discussion, I reserve the right to ask you to leave the classroom.
Small Print:
Texas Wesleyan University Policies
· Students should read the current Texas Wesleyan
University Catalog and Student Handbook to become
familiar with University policies.
· Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person’s
material as one’s own), or completing assignments for another person who will
receive academic credit are impermissible. This includes the use of
unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help
during an examination, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments,
reports, or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if
it were the student’s own work. Disciplinary action may be taken beyond
the academic discipline administered by the course instructor. Course exams may
not be printed out. Any person possessing a hardcopy of a course exam will be
in breach of copyright and may be held liable.]
· Texas Wesleyan University adheres to a disability
policy which is in keeping with relevant federal law. The University will
provide appropriate accommodation as determined by the Director of the
Counseling Center, Dr. Michael Ellison. Students must notify instructors of any
permanent or temporary disabilities and must provide documentation regarding
those disabilities prior to the granting of an accommodation. For assistance,
students should consult with Dr. Ellison at mellison@txwes.edu or (817) 531-7565.
· Course syllabi are intended to provide students with
basic information concerning the course. The syllabus can be viewed as a
'blueprint' for the course; changes in the syllabus can be made and students
will be informed of any substantive changes concerning examinations, the
grading or attendance policies and changes in project assignments.
· Any course taken at Texas Wesleyan University and repeated
for a grade must be repeated at Texas Wesleyan University. Any course taken at
another university may be repeated at Texas Wesleyan, and the most recent grade
on the course will be counted. When a course is repeated, the grade point
average will be computed using the most recent grade achieved.
· As noted in the catalog under the Unified
Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Texas Wesleyan University is committed to
providing an environment free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and
sexual harassment. If you have
experienced any such discrimination or harassment, including gender- or
sex-based forms, know that help and support are available from the following
resources:
o
Complete
online incident report at https://txwes.edu/student-life/report-a-concern/
o
Contact
Campus Conduct Hotline (24 hours a day): (866) 943-5787
o
Campus
security (24 hours a day): (817) 531-4911
o
Dean
of Students: deanofstudents@txwes.edu OR (817) 531-4872
o Please be aware that all Texas Wesleyan University
employees, other than designated confidential resources (i.e., Community
Counseling Center) are required to report credible evidence of prohibited
discrimination or harassment to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, or to
one of the Title IX Assistant Coordinators.
If you wish to speak to someone confidentially, please contact the
Community Counseling Center at (817) 531-4859 to schedule an appointment.
1. 5-6 pages typewritten, double-spaced. Title page, if used, does NOT count. Observe the normal rules of writing such as
standard one-inch margins, page numbering, etc.
2. Full bibliographic citation on the title
page or at the top of the first page. (Consult
an MLA or Chicago style guide if you’ve forgotten how to do this. Do NOT make up your own form.)
3. Brief introduction to the topic or subject
of the book. Why is this topic or
subject important to the period of history being covered?
4. Summarize the author’s thesis (argument)
and main points concisely but fully.
(What do you think the author is trying to accomplish by writing the
book?)
5. Briefly say something regarding the
author’s qualifications.
6. Critique the book. (What you’re doing is analogous to what
happens in a courtroom. Consider yourself the judge and the author a lawyer who
has presented an argument/case. It’s up
to you, having read his argument/case to decide whether or not his/her claims
have validity.) Based on your answer to
#4 do you find his/her arguments and conclusions convincing? How does s/he do in terms of accomplishing
his purpose for writing? Do not walk
fences or resort to elementary tactics such as pleading ignorance. (This should be about one-half of your paper.)
(6a. If the book is a work of
literature, you’ll still consider what the author is trying to accomplish, but
you’ll need to think about what the work says about the time period or place in
which it’s set, the characters, the environment, etc. For example, you’d look at it the same way an
historian would look at More’s Utopia or
possibly Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Those works are good literature but say a lot
about the time period in which they were written.)
7. While a review does not usually include the
readers own opinion, you may provide a brief personal evaluation of no more
than one paragraph. Be sure to explain
and support your opinion carefully and coherently. At this point in your academic career, you
ought to have an informed opinion. “Informed”
suggests that you’re offering specific evidence as to how and why you agree or
disagree.
8. This is not a research paper, so formal
footnoting is not necessary. If you do
quote or draw on information that is not your own, simply use a parenthetical reference
according to MLA or Turabian/Chicago style.
9. Papers which are turned in after the time
they are due will be penalized one letter grade for each day. No papers which are more than four days late
will be accepted. If you or someone
close to you is looking like they’re coming down with the latest disease or
that they might need emergency surgery, turn it in early. If you want mercy, pray.
Lecture
Topic and Reading Schedule
(Chasteen=textbook, Reader=Chasteen
reader)
|
Aug 24 |
Introduction to the course |
|
Aug 24, 31 |
Background to Modern Latin
American History in Primary Sources Readings: Chasteen
2, 3; Reader 1 Brief Account, True History, General History, The Last
Days; 2 |
|
Sept 7, 14 |
Independence movements Readings: Chasteen
4; Reader 3 |
|
Sept 21 |
Post
Colonialism Readings: Chasteen 5; Reader 4 |
|
Sept 28 |
Símon
Bolivar Readings: Márquez, The General in His Labyrinth |
|
Oct 5 |
The Liberalism (Márquez review due) Readings: Chasteen
6; |
|
Oct 12 |
Midterm Exam due |
|
Oct 12, 19 |
Neo-colonialism and Authoritarian
Rule Readings: Chasteen
7; Reader 5 |
|
Oct 26 |
Nationalism Readings: Chasteen
8; Reader 6; Ball,
Blessed Miguel Pro |
|
Nov 2 |
Revolution (Ball review
due) Readings: Chasteen
9; |
|
Nov 9, 16 |
Latin
American and the US Readings: Chasteen 10; Reader 8, 9;
Rabe, The Killing Zone |
|
Nov 30 |
Latin America Today (Rabe
review due) Readings:
Chasteen 11 |
|
Dec 7 @
1pm |
Final Exam Due |