Week 1
Wednesday, September 3
General Introduction. What makes Latin American politics distinct from other countries' political developments? Theories of development.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Prologue
PRE-TEST (no grade)
Week 2
Monday, September 8
Geography and current governments in Latin America
Read: Guevara, Motorcycle Diaries
Wednesday, September 10
Overview of revolutionary ideas in Latin America
Week 3
Monday, September 15
Map and Government Test
Colonialism and Independence
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter One
Wednesday, September 17
19th Century Liberal vs. Conservative parties. Theories of development
Week 4
Monday, September 22
Argentina.
Democratization. Human rights. Economic reform.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter 3
Wednesday, September 24
Movie: The Official Story
Week 5
Monday, September 29
Chile
Authoritarianism and Democracy.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Four
Wednesday, October 1
Human rights.
Read: Cooper, Pinochet and Me
Week 6
Monday, October 6
Revolutionary Movements and Regimes.
Cuba.
The Cuban Revolution and its effect on the rest of Latin America.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Eight
Wednesday, October 8
Revolutionary movements and regimes, continued.
Central America
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Ten
Week 7
Monday, October 13
Revolutionary movements and regimes, continued.
Central America
Movie: Romero
Wednesday, October 15
MIDTERM EXAM
Week 8
Monday, October 20
Brazil.
Development and inequality.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Five
Wednesday, October 22
Brazil.
Democracy. Human rights. Understanding economic liberalism.
Movie: City of God
Week 9
Monday, October 27
Colombia
Read: Wirpsa
Wednesday, October 29
Colombia.
Movie: Our Lady of the Assassins
Week 10
Monday, November 3
Mexico.
Revolution and one-party authoritarianism.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Seven
Wednesday, November 5
Democratization. NAFTA.
US-Mexican relations.
Movie: Amores Perros
Week 11
Monday, November 10
Latin American nationalism and US relations with the region.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Eleven
Wednesday, November 12
The US role in promoting, assessing, and supporting democracy.
Week 12
Monday, November 17
Economic ideas in Latin America.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Chapter Two
Wednesday, November 19
Environmental issues in Latin America
Research presentations
Week 13
Monday, November 24
Research presentations
Week 14
Monday, December 1
Prospects for future development.
Read: Skidmore and Smith, Epilogue
Wednesday, December 3
Review for exam
FINAL COPY OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE IN CLASS
Week 15
FINAL EXAM