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Latin American Politics

Course Description

This is a semester seminar on Latin American politics. We begin with an overview of the region, but spend most of the remainder of the semester covering case studies and special topics. We will spend the first half of the semester using the Skidmore/Smith text as a guide to the region. This includes a general history of Latin America, as well as a series of closer looks at specific countries. We will pay special attention to the region's recent democratization, and troubles associated with democratic consolidation.

The second half of the semester covers two special topics. First, a regional focus on the Andes, an under-studied region in Latin America. We will spend three weeks tackling some of the issues currently facing this region, with an emphasis on the struggle for democracy in one of the least stable regions in the hemisphere. Second, a focus on the recent trend toward decentralization, a remarkable break with the region's centralist tradition. This leads to a study of urban or "municipal" politics in the region.

Required Texts

Skidmore, Thomas and Peter Smith. 2004. Modern Latin America, 6th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

Burt, Jo-Marie and Phillip Mauceri (eds.). 2004. Politics in the Andes. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.

Campbell, Tim. 2003. The Quiet Revolution. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.

Course Requirements

The course requirements are broken down as follows:

I do not give long lectures, preferring interactive class environments. A significant portion of your grade is based on in-class participation. Come to class having already read the assigned material. I will provide brief overviews of the key points, as well as supply some other material, but the bulk of the class will consist of in-class discussion. Be able to demonstrate familiarity with the assigned reading, as well as the ability to think critically. Also, note that in-class participation does not mean "attendance"—you must come to class and actively participate.

I will give one quiz early in the semester. It will cover the material from the first two chapters of the Skidmore/Smith textbook. Essentially, it will be a short test on the general history of Latin American politics and will be combination multiple choice and short answer format. You may not make up the quiz if you are absent (unless you can demonstrate an emergency). If you know ahead of time that you will miss the quiz for a legitimate reason, you must notify me in advance to make some arrangement. The final exam is an essay exam-bring a blue book.