HIST 251
Latin American History II

Spring 2004
Lecture: MW 9:00-9:50am
TYD 0103

http://www.history.umd.edu/Faculty/DWilliams/Spring04/HIST251

Course Description | Requirements | Readings
Grading
| Academic Integrity | Schedule

Prof. Daryle Williams
(301) 405-7856
daryle@umd.edu

http://www.history.umd.edu/Faculty/DWilliams

Mailbox:
Department of History
2115 Francis Scott Key

Office:
David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora
2106 Tawes Fine Arts Building

Office Hours:
Mondays 10:45-12:00 noon; Wednesdays 10:00-11:30am and by appointment

 
Teaching Assistants Discussion Sections
Ricardo López P. 0102 Fri 12:00-12:50 KEY 0125
3111 Key Hall 0104 Fri 1:00-1:50 KEY 0103
(301) 405-4330 0105 Wed 12:00-12:50 KEY 0116
ablopez@wam.umd.edu 0107 Fri 9:00-9:50 KEY 0119
Office Hours:
Wednesdays 10:00-12:00 and by appointment
   
Sarah Sarzynski 0101 Mon 2:00-2:50 KEY 0124
3111 Key Hall 0103 Wed 1:00-1:50 KEY 0103
(301) 405-4330 0106 Mon 10:00-10:50 TYD 0101
ssarzynski@earthlink.net 0108 Mon 1:00-1:50 KEY 0126

Office Hours:
Mondays 11:00-1:00pm
Wednesdays
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 early 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 autonomy and dependence, nation-building, liberalism, economic development and modernization, social organization and stratification, race relations, gender relations, identity politics, reform and revolution, authoritarianism and democratization, and US-Latin American relations.

The course has been divided into four eras. Within each era, the lectures will emphasize major themes of continuity and change in the historical formation of 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

All students are encouraged to seek out Prof. Williams or the graduate teaching assistants for guidance in writing well-organized and engaging papers. Outlines and/or rough drafts are always welcome. Many may benefit from a session with The Writing Center, located in 0125 Taliaferro Hall. The Writing Center accepts both appointments and drop-in visits. Tel: 301-405-3785.



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.

Azevedo, Aluísio. The Slum. David H. Rosenthal, trans. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Bolívar, Simón. El Libertador: Writings of Simón Bolívar. Frederick H. Fornoff, trans; David Bushnell, ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

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

Ferrer, Ada. Insurgent Cuba: Race, Nation, and Revolution, 1868-1898. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1999.

French, John D. and Daniel James, eds. The Gendered Worlds of Latin American Women Workers: From Household and Factory to the Union Hall and Ballot Box. Durham: Duke University Press, 1997.

Knight, Alan, "The Mexican Revolution," History Today 30:5 (May 1980): 28-34. [Electronic Version from EBSCO]

Knight, Alan, "Popular Culture and the Revolutionary State in Mexico, 1910-1940," Hispanic American Historical Review; 74: 3 (August 1994): 393-444. [Electronic Verison in J-STOR]

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

Zolov, Eric. Refried Elvis : The Rise of the Mexican Counterculture. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999.

The following primary documents reader is optional:

Chasteen, John Charles and James A. Wood, eds. Problems in Modern Latin American History: A Reader. Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources, 2003.

All readings, with the exception of journal articles available in full-text from electronic databases, have been placed on Course Reserves in McKeldin Library.


Grading Policies

Final grades will be determined by the following formula:

5% Map Quiz
20% Midterm

30% Writing Assignments (15% each)

25% Final Examination

20% Discussion Section*

*The Discussion Section is one of the most important components of the course. Therefore, one-fifth of the total grade for the course is determined in section. The details of your section grade will be outlined during the first discussion section meeting. Generally, active and thoughtful participation will not only enhance the overall quality of learning, it will work in favor of students whose final grade falls near a borderline. Conversely, passive or nonexistent participation will diminish the quality of discussion sections and result in a lowered grades for students who choose not to engage.

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 one-half of 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.



Academic Integrity

Statement of Academic Integrity

The Code of Academic Integrity guides this and all other courses taught at the University of Maryland. Violations of the Code 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 consult your professor, your teaching assistant, and/or the Student Honor Council.

The Honor Pledge

Under the provisions of the resolution adopted by the University Senate on April 9, 2001, and approved by President Mote on May 10, 2001, all students will be asked to write by hand and sign the following pledge on all written assignments and examinations, unless otherwise instructed:

"I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination."

For additional information on the Student Honor Pledge, visit http://www.umd.edu/honorpledge.



Course Schedule

Part I:
The Independence Era, 1800-1820s
   
Week I Introduction
Jan. 26 SNOW DAY
Jan. 28 Course Introduction
Discussion: Introductions and Map Quiz Review
Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, 13-62
   
Week II The Independence Era
Feb. 2 The Colonial Background
Feb. 4 Reform and Crisis
Map Quiz
Discussion: Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, 63-117
   
Week III Independence
Feb. 9   The Wars of Independence
Feb. 11 Indepedence II
Discussion Bolívar, El Libertador, 12-30 and TBA
   
Part II:
The Liberal Period, 1820s-c. 1914
   
Week IV Simón Bolívar and the Dilemmas of Independence
Feb. 16 Liberalism and the Liberator
Feb. 18
The Liberator and the People
Discussion: Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, 118-147
   
Week V 19th c. Latin America and the World
Feb. 23 Questions of Neocolonialism  
Feb. 25 State and Society in the Liberal Period First Paper Due
Discussion: Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, 147-211
   
Week VI Problems of the Liberal State
Mar. 1 State and Society in the Liberal Period
Mar. 3 Slaves and Nations I
Discussion Ferrer, Insurgent Cuba , Part I
   
Week VII The Belle Époque
Mar. 8 Slaves and Nations II
Mar. 10 Civilización y Barbárie
Discussion: Ferrer, Insurgent Cuba , Part III
   
Week VIII Latin America c. 1914
Mar. 15 Liberalism Reborn: A Broken Promise?
Mar. 17 In-Class Midterm
Discussion Midterm Review
   
Week IX Spring Break
Mar. 22-26  
Readings Azevedo, The Slum(Optional)
Part III:
The Rise of Modern Latin America, c. 1914-1959
   
Week X The Mexican Revolution in Context
Mar. 29 Reform and Revolution from Above
Mar. 31 Reform and Revolution from Below
Discussion: Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, 212-243
   
Week XI The Great Depression
Apr. 5 Political Economy of the Great Depression
Apr. 7 (Re)Negotiating Nationalism
Discussion: Knight, "The Mexican Revolution," [Link to EBSCO] [Off-Campus Access]
Knight, "Popular Culture and the Revolutionary State in Mexico, 1910-1940," [Link to J-STOR] [Off-Campus Access]
   
Week XII Populism I
Apr. 12 The Political Economy of Populism 
Apr. 14 The Populist and "The People"
Discussion: Chasteen, Born in Blood and Fire, 244-273
   
Week XIII Populism II
Apr. 19 "The People's" Populism
Apr. 21 Populism and the Middle Classes (Guest Lecture by Ricardo López)
Discussion: French and James, Gendered Worlds, 1-30; 53-71; 176-207; 232-263
   
Week XIV Latin America and the Cold War
Apr. 26 The Left: From Socialism to Counterculture
Apr. 28 The Right: From National Restoration to Foreign Intervention (Guest Lecture by Sarah Sarzynski)
Discussion: Zolov, Refried Elvis, 1-131
   
Part IV: 
Revolution and Counter-Revolution 1960s-1980s
   
Week XV The National Security State
May 3 The Cultures of Modernity (Guest Lecture by Eric Zolov) 
May 5 Social Movements: Old and New Second Paper Due
Discussion: Weschler, A Miracle, A Universe, 81-172
   
Week XVI Towards (Re?)democratization
May 10 The Breakdown of Military Rule 
Discussion  
:  
Final Examination
Monday, May 17, 2004

8:00-10:00am


HIST 251 Homepage
Email: Professor Williams  Email: Ricardo López Email: Sarah Sarzynski