POL 3013 Comparative
Government: Latin America Fall
2007
Office hours: MW
8:15-9:00; 12:30-1:30; F 8:15-9:00; TR 8:15-9:15; 10:45-11:15; 12:30-2:00; and
by appt.
Website: http://mylu.lambuth.edu go to eaglenet,
go to faculty pages, click on my
name
I. The
purpose of this course is to introduce the student to various systems of
government and politics in Latin America. We will discuss basic political
concepts applicable to the region as a whole, and the governmental
arrangements, patterns of political development, political behavior, public
policies, and political cleavages in Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, and Cuba,
specifically. Basic objectives of the course include improving effective
written and oral communication, improving basic research skills, and exercising
the student’s powers of critical thought and analysis. Course-specific
objectives include familiarizing the student with the current political regimes
in the region, the forces that influenced political developments, and for the
student to comprehend the role and importance of regional patterns of political
action and development.
II.
Required text: Wiarda and Kline, Latin American Politics
and Development, 5th ed., 2000.
III. Course policies: STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL CLASSES. If you do not come to class,
absences will be noted and may hurt your
grade. Also, you will miss important
material for exams that is not in the books. Class participation is
STRONGLY encouraged. Assigned material must be read before coming to
class, as students will be expected to be able to discuss the readings and to
ask, as well as to answer, questions pertinent to the readings for the day.
Occasionally, we will spend 15-20 minutes of the first part of class on current
events related to class topics. Questions on exams may be taken from these
class discussions. Students should strive to be informed about current
political issues in the region and countries under consideration by reading a
daily newspaper or weekly newsmagazine (such as The Economist) that has good
international coverage (NOT a local paper), watching daily news broadcasts
(those that cover international issues and events in depth—NOT just “Headline
News”) or by following international news from various RELIABLE internet/www
sources (I especially recommend The New
York Times at www.nytimes.com, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) World
Service website at www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice, The Economist
(includes regular sections on Latin America), and The Washington Post at www.washingtonpost.com.
The Miami Herald (available online) also provides Latin American news.
·
Cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and possibly
the course with no opportunity for making up the plagiarized assignment.
Serious incidents will be referred to the Academic Dean for further action.
·
Except in unusual circumstances, I do
not allow electronic recording devices in the classroom.
·
Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations
will be made for students with a verified disability. Please let me know as
soon as possible.
Ø NOTE: Any noticeable cell phone
activity in class may cause the loss of points without notification.
Exceptions may
be pre-arranged.
IV. Clip files and essays: Each 3-4 weeks (4 times)
you must turn in a file with at least 5 different articles (must be dated
within 12 months of current date—the more recent, the better grade) on a topic
that specifically concerns the region and countries included in the region. The
clip files may be on any pertinent subject or country that pertains to the
region but must be clearly related and clearly focus on the region that is the
subject of this course. Included in the file along with the articles, you will
have a 2-3 page, double-spaced, typewritten essay (refer to writing guidelines
handout) that identifies the topic selected in an introductory paragraph,
briefly summarizes the articles and their relationship to the topic, and
provides a critical commentary of the topic and analysis of the articles as a
conclusion.
Again,
which topics and articles you choose is up to you, but you should vary the
topics and especially the sources of the articles. I don’t want to see a lot of
articles from the same source. Please avoid editorials and stick to news
articles. Make sure the articles are dated, with the source of the article
completely identified.
Clip files and essays
(continued):
NO
MORE THAN HALF CAN BE FROM INTERNET-ONLY SOURCES. When you use internet sources
include a copy of the full article with the full URL address and the website
identified. I must be able to access the website from the information provided
in the clip file. BE SURE the website is a “legitimate and reliable” site. Lots
of junk that looks like legitimate information exists out there. Handouts will
be provided to help you determine the legitimacy and utility of internet-only
sources of information. If you are not SURE that a source is “legitimate and
reliable,” ASK before submitting the clip file for evaluation. Grammatical
structure, as well as content, will count in the evaluation of the essay.
Late clip files will be
penalized 3 points for every day late and will be accepted only if submitted
before the next file is due!
V. Geography Quizzes: On August 31, and September 7
you will take short map quizzes which consist of filling in the appropriate
countries and capital cities on blank maps of the regions. The first map will
cover South America, and the second map will be of Central America and the
Caribbean. Grading will be according to percentage of countries and capitals
correct.
VI. Final grades are
awarded on a 500 point scale, divided as follows:
4 clip files and essays: 50 points each = 200 points possible; 2 geography quizzes: 50 points possible; Midterm Examination: 100 points possible; Final examination: 100 points possible; Class participation: 50 points possible
Grades
will be awarded as follows: 460+ = A; 459-405= B; 404-340 = C; 339-295 = D;
294-0 = F
Make-up exams are given only
in exceptional cases and are not recommended.
Attitude, effort and
attendance will also influence final
grades, especially in “borderline” cases.
VII. Lecture and Readings
schedule
(8/22, 8/24)
Introduction; Context and historical development: W&K chs. 1, 2
(8/27, 8/29, 8/31) Context and historical
development: W&K chs. 1, 2
(9/4, 9/5, 9/7, 9/10, 9/12) Structure, culture,
process: W&K chs. 3, 4, 5
(9/14, 9/17, 9/19, 9/21, 9/24, 9/26, 9/28 ) Mexico:
W&K ch. 16
(10/1)
Midterm Examination
(10/03, 10/5, 10/08, 10/10, 10/12, 10/17, 10/19,
10/22) Venezuela: W&K ch. 11
(10/24, 10/26, 10/29, 10/31, 11/02, 11/05, 11/07)
Brazil: W&K ch. 7
(11/09, 11/12, 11/14, 11/16, 11/19, 11/26, 11/28,
11/30) Cuba: W&K ch. 17
(12/03, 12/05) Latin America and the Future;
Conclusions: W&K part IV
FINAL EXAMINATION: Tuesday, December 11,
10:30-12:30 (exams will not be handed out after 10:45)
VIII.
Important Dates
Clip files due: Sep. 12; Oct.
5; Nov. 2; Dec. 3
Geography quizzes: Aug.31,
Sep. 7
Midterm examination: Oct.
1
Fall Break Oct. 15-16
Last day to drop Oct. 22
Thanksgiving Nov. 21-23
Final Examination: Dec.
11, 10:30-12:30