Instructor
Prof. Daryle Williams
Department of History
2135 Key Hall
(301) 405-0061
daryle@umd.edu
http://www.inform.umd.edu/HIST/Faculty/DWilliams
Office Hours: Mondays 11:00am-1:00pm and by appointment
 
 

Teaching Assistant	Discussion Sections
Yamile Regalado	0101	Mon	12:00-12:50	BPS 1238
3117C Key Hall	0102	Tues	9:00-9:50	COL 3112
(301) 405-4330	0103	Tues	10:00-10:50	COL 3114
email: yregalad@wam.umd.edu	0104	Thurs	9:00-9:50	COL 3109
Office Hours: Tues. 11:00-12:00 Wed. 11:00-12:00 and by appointment

 

Course Description and Organization

HIST 251 is an introductory survey of the history of Latin America from the era of independence (c. 1800-1825) through the 1980s. The course explores the historical evolution of the political economy and the political culture of Spanish and Portuguese America, paying close attention to selected historical figures, trends, concepts, and events that help shape our understanding of modern Latin America. Recurrent themes to be discussed include nation-building, liberalism, economic development and modernization, social organization and stratification, race relations, gender relations, identity politics, reform and revolution, and authoritarianism and democratization.

The course has been divided into four era. Within each era, the lectures will emphasize major themes of continuity and change in the historical formation of a modern Latin American society. The weekly discussion sections are structured to sharpen reading and interpretive skills in historical analysis by exploring themes raised in the lectures and assigned readings.

The course meets weekly for two fifty-minute lectures and one fifty-minute discussion section.

HIST 251 satisfies CORE requirements for Diversity (D) and Social or Political History (SH).
 

Course Requirements

• A pass/fail Map Quiz will be given at the end of lecture on Wednesday, February 7. A study sheet, with links to on-line maps, is available at the course website. Seven or more correct responses will be a pass. If you do not pass the quiz on the first time, you will have a second opportunity to take the quiz.
• The First Paper is due Monday, February 19. The five-page paper will ask that you analyze some sleeted writings of Simón Bolívar. Additional instructions will be made available during the second week of class.
• The Midterm will be held in class Wednesday, March 14. The exam will cover materials presented during the first half of the course.
• The Second Paper is due on Monday, May 7. The five-page paper will be based on the topic of revolution in Latin American society.
• The Final Examination will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2001, at 8:00am. The two-hour exam will be cumulative in scope, with emphasis placed on materials presented during the second half of the course.

Assigned Readings

The following books have been assigned as required reading. These books are available for purchase through the University Book Center, Maryland Book Exchange, and most online book vendors. All assigned readings have been placed on reserve in the Reserve Room of McKeldin Library.

Chasteen, John Charles. Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000.

Chasteen, John Charles and Joseph S. Tulchin, ed. Problems in Modern Latin American History: A Reader. Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources, 1993.

Levine, Robert M. Father of the Poor?: Vargas and His Era. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Stein, Stanley. Vassouras: A Brazilian Coffee County, 1850-1900 Revised Edition. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1985.

Stepan, Nancy Leys "The Hour of Eugenics": Race, Gender, and Nation in Latin America. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1996.

Vaughan, Mary Kay. Cultural Politics in Revolution: Teachers, Peasants, and Schools in Mexico, 1930-1940. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1997.

Weschler, Lawrence. A Miracle, A Universe: Settling Accounts with Torturers. Revised Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1998.
 
 

Grading Policies

Final grades will be determined by the following formula:

5% Map Quiz
20% Midterm
30% Writing Assignments (15% each)
20% Final Examination
5% Listserv Participation*
20% Discussion Section Participation**

*Beginning the week of February 12, a listserv will be created for each discussion section. The listserv will help the instructors quickly distribute information related to the course, and allow all students to contribute to discussion outside of the discussion sections. Each student will be required to contribute to the listserv over the course of the semester. More details on this course requirement will be made available during the first week of class.

NOTE: It is essential that the Registrar have your correct email address BEFORE the listserv is initiated. You can check/update your email address anytime via Testudo

**The Discussion Section is one of the most important components of the course. Therefore, each and every student is required to contribute during section. It is essential that you come to section prepared to engage the assigned readings. In determining the discussion section grade, active participation will always work to your favor, especially when your final grade falls on a borderline. Conversely, passive or non-participation will result in a low grade for discussion section.

Keep in mind that attendance in discussion section is expected, but will not guarantee a high grade. Five or more absences will result in an automatic failing grade for the discussion section.

Late papers will not be accepted without prior approval. With the exception of legitimate excuses, late papers may be subject to a grade penalty of up to one full grade for each day late.
 

Statement of Academic Integrity

Essential to the fundamental purpose of the University is the commitment to principles of truth and academic honesty. Because academic dishonesty, which refers to cheating, plagiarism, or helping someone else to cheat or commit plagiarism, jeopardizes the quality of education and depreciates the genuine achievement of others it must be reported to the Honor Council.

The Code of Academic Integrity guides this and all other courses taught at the University of Maryland. Violations may result in a failing grade and/or referral to a University disciplinary committee.

Should you have ANY questions or doubts about Academic Integrity, including questions of citation and attribution, you should seek advice from your instructor or teaching assistant. You may consult the full-text version of the Code of Academic Integrity, click here.