SOCIOLOGY 3350: MODERN LATIN AMERICAN SOCIETIES Call #21869

Monday and Wednesday 12-2:30 p.m. Sangren 2210

Instructor: Professor Paul S. Ciccantell

Office: Sangren 2528 Office Phone: 387-3594 Email: paul.ciccantell@wmich.edu

Office Hours: by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Angela Simon

Office: Sangren Office Phone: 387- Email: angela.simon@wmich.edu

REQUIRED TEXT:

Winn, Peter. 2006. Americas: The Changing Face of Latin America and the Caribbean (Third Edition). Berkeley: University of California Press.

OPTIONAL TEXT:

Hillman, Richard (ed.). 2005. Understanding Contemporary Latin America (3rd Edition). Boulder: Lynne Rienner.

There may also be other readings assigned in class and/or online during the semester; these will be announced in class.

LECTURE NOTES:

Lecture note outlines (fill-in-the-blank notes) will be available on the course website at:

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~pciccant/335index.html

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This sociology course provides an introduction to the societies of Latin America. We will be examining many different countries in the region and many different social institutions and social facts in particular countries and across the region. Reading, critical thinking, discussion, writing, presentations and the application of ideas are the major elements of this course. Class sessions will include a mixture of lectures, class discussions, student presentations, and multimedia presentations.

COURSE GOALS:

The goals for this course are:

1. To provide an introduction to the societies of Latin America.

2. To provide an overview of the major processes of social change in Latin America over the past five centuries.

3. To understand the relationships between the nations of Latin America and other regions of the world, focusing particularly on the role of the U.S. and Europe in shaping many aspects of life in Latin America.

4. To enhance students’ understanding of other societies and of U.S. society.

5. To enhance students’ critical thinking and written and oral communications skills.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

I strongly encourage each student to attend class, since a significant portion of the course grade will be based on class participation. Material will be presented in class that is not covered in the readings and there will be questions on this material on the two exams. Careful reading of the books and articles prior to class is also strongly encouraged, since there will be class discussion and exam questions based on the readings as well. Each student is also responsible for all films, videos, handouts, guest speakers, etc. presented during the course; there will be exam questions covering these materials. There may also be additional news articles available on the web or other readings that will be assigned as readings on current events and that will be covered on the exams. In addition, a group research project will be another significant component of the overall course grade.

Email is also an extremely useful way to get in touch with me with questions and comments about the course. There will also be a course listserv that will be used for announcements and discussion during the semester.

GRADING:

Grades will be based on class participation and homework (25%), group research projects (25%), a midterm exam (25%), and a final exam (25%).

In addition to the two exams, the group research project will require the collaborative development and completion of a written report and PowerPoint presentation examining an important topic in Latin America. The other component of grading, class participation and homework, will require active discussion in class; class participants are expected to attend class, to have read and thought about the material, and to be ready to discuss it. In addition, there will be homework assignments that will require critical analysis and writing about a variety of topics.

Grading Scale:

93+ points A

88-92 BA

83-87 B

78-82 CB

70-77 C

68-69 DC

60-67 D

59 & below E

Make-Up Policy: As a general rule there will be absolutely NO make-up exams or other assignments. In extraordinary circumstances a make-up exam or delayed assignment due date may be possible if arrangements have been made with the instructor at least one week before the scheduled exam or due date, or you are hospitalized or seriously ill and consult with the instructor about making up the exam or written work as soon as possible, or whatever other reason you have for missing the exam or written work is clearly extraordinary and beyond the student's control in the instructor's view.

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to refuse permission for a make-up exam if he feels it is not warranted. Leaving early for vacation is not a valid reason for a make-up exam or turning in written work late.

Any writing assignment or homework turned in late will be docked one letter grade for each class period that it is late.

OTHER COURSE POLICIES

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability, which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as I have outlined it or which will require academic accommodations, please notify me in the first two weeks of the course.

Academic Honesty Statement:

You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.

All class notes, lecture outlines, class assignments, examinations, and any other course information are copyrighted material and may not be copied or distributed in any format or for any purpose.

COURSE TIMETABLE:

Date Topic Readings

May 5 (Mon.) Course Introduction

And Natural Characteristics

May 7 (Wed.) Pre-Colonial History Winn Ch. 1; Mann, Charles. 2002. “1491"

May 12 (Mon.) European Colonialism Winn Ch. 2

May 14 (Wed.) European Colonialism Winn Ch. 3

And Independence

May 19 (Mon.) Politics Winn Ch. 4

May 21 (Wed.) Politics and Economies Winn Ch. 5

ALSO: Form Groups for Group Research Projects

May 26 (Mon.) Memorial Day; No Class

May 28 (Wed.) Economies

ALSO: Outline of Group Research Projects Due in Class

ALSO: Discussion of Group Research Projects

June 2 (Mon.) MID-TERM EXAM

June 4 (Wed.) Population and Migration Winn Ch. 6, 7

And Indigenous Peoples

June 9 (Mon.) Indigenous Peoples Winn Ch. 8

And Race and Ethnicity

June 11 (Wed.) Race and Ethnicity; Gender Winn Ch. 9

June 16 (Mon.) Religion Winn Ch. 10, 12

And International Relations

June 18 (Wed.) International Relations Winn Ch. 13, 14

And The Future of Latin America

ALSO: Group Research Project Powerpoints and Papers Due in Class

June 23 (Mon.) No Class; Prepare for Final Exam

June 25 (Wed.) FINAL EXAM, 12:00-2:30 p.m.