POLS 329 – Latin American Politics
Spring 2016
Section 1-Thursday 3:00-5:30 PM (MG330)
Instructor: Julia Albarracín
Email: J-Albarracin@wiu.edu
Office: 428 Morgan Hall
Office Hours: M 12:45-1:45; T 3:30-4:30
W 12:45-2:45 PM; or by Appointment.
Objectives
Latin America is a diverse region. However, many countries share some of the same experiences. In
most of them politics has been turbulent. Revolutionary and guerrilla movements as well as military
dictatorships have been common. Even today, when almost all the countries of the region are
nominally democratic, the quality of democracy is uneven. Finally, economic development in the
region has been elusive. The primary question posed in this course is: Why? We explore the role of
four key sets of factors: 1) cultural-historical 2) political-institutional 3) economic and 4)
international. We also consider the processes of democratization and the current situation of
democracies in the region. Finally, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina are studied in
depth.
Required Readings
1. There are three required books
Politics of Latin America: The Power Game, by Harry E. Vanden and Garry Prevost (Oxford
University Press, 5th edition or earlier). Identified in the schedule of readings as VP.
Drug War Mexico: Politics, Neoliberalism and Violence in the New Narcoeconomy by Peter
Watt & Roberto Zepeda (Zed Books). Identified as Drug War.
Black in Latin America by Henry L. Gates (PBS). Identified as Black (distributed in class).
2. Other required readings are indicated in the syllabus and can be accessed through Western Online.
These readings are identified in the schedule of readings as (W).
3. Films are also part of the required material for this class and questions about them will appear on
exams.
Examinations & Course Requirements
1. Attendance and Participation (10%). Students are expected to attend all classes and to
have completed the readings before the class. Students are allowed to miss 1 class. Beyond
that they will be discounted ½ a point for each class they miss. Students will also be asked to
share their thoughts in class. Part of the participation points will be earned by keeping up
with international news about Latin America from www.nytimes.com or www.bbc.com.
2. Country Presentation. Students will prepare a 15 minute report on a topic and country
agreed with the instructor which will be presented to the rest of the class on the last week of
class. Students will also turn in the handout or Power Point presentation they used.
3. Exams: There will be two take home examinations in this class and will include 4 essay
questions each. Each examination will be worth 20 points.
4. Review Papers: students will write 5 two-page papers reacting to ALL the readings for that
week. Students with last names A-L will write papers for weeks 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 and those
with last names M-Z will write for weeks 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13). These papers will be due on
Western Online on Wednesdays at 3:00. In addition, students should bring a hard copy
of the paper to class the next day. Each paper will be worth 4.8 points.
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Grades
Grade Breakdown. Breakdown of the final grade for the course:
Country Report
20%
Midterm
23%
Final
23%
Review Papers
24%
Attendance and Participation
10%
Total
100%
Feb 26
May 5
Summary of Important Dates
Midterm distributed in class and due on following class meeting.
Country Report Presentations-Final distributed in class
Other Course Policies
Academic Honesty. I expect all students to adhere to the university’s standards of academic honesty
in their class work. Please see the WIU Student Handbook or www.wiu.edu/policies/ugdishst.shtml
for a complete statement of this policy.
Students with Disabilities. In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of
the need for accommodation. You just need to let me know. If you have questions, you can contact
Disability Support Services at 298-2512.
Schedule of Readings
Week 1: The Colonial Legacy
01/21: Introduction.
Documentary: Introducing Latin America MEDIA. F1409 .I577 1994.
Week 2: Independence and beyond
01/28: VP Chapters 1-3
Movie: The Liberator (Netflix).
Week 3: Underprivileged groups
02/04: VP chs.4 and 5
Documentary: Haiti & the Dominican Republic An Island Divided (Black in Latin America)
Week 4: The Political Economy of Latin America
02/11: VP ch. 7
Documentary: The Agony of Reform MEDIA. HD87 .C65 2003 Commanding Heights, disc 2
Week 5: Religion in Latin America
02/18: VP ch. 6.
Levine, Daniel H (2009) “The Future of Christianity in Latin America ,” Journal of Latin American
Studies, 41, 121–145. (W)
Documentary: Miracles are not Enough AUDIOVISUAL. AVV-1331-6
Week 6: US Interests in Latin America
02/25: VP ch. 11 (MIDTERM WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS)
Movie: Missing
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Week 7: Revolution and Democracy in Latin America
03/03: VP chs. 10 and 8.
Movie: Clandestine Childhood
Week 8: Revolutionary Movements: Cuba
03/10: VP ch. 19, Black chapter 6 (distributed in class).
Documentary: Che Guevara MEDIA. F2849.22.G85 C47 2003x
Week 9: Revolutionary Movements: Nicaragua
03/24 VP ch. 21.
Ruhl, J. M. (2004). “Curbing Central America’s Militaries,” Journal of Democracy, 15, 3:137:151.
(W)
Movie: Under Fire (Bajo Fuego)
Spring Break
Week 10: Democracy in Latin America: Mexico
03/31: VP ch. 12.
Drug War, pp. 1-61.
Movie: Sicario
Week 11: Democracy in Latin America: Mexico
04/07: Drug War, pp. 62-140.
Documentary: The Other Side of Immigration
Week 12: Democracy in Latin America: Mexico
04/14: Drug War, pp. 141-236.
Documentary: TBA
Week 13: Democracy in Latin America: Brazil
04/21: VP ch. 14.
Black, Introduction and Chapter 1 Black in Latin America, distributed in class)
Documentary: A Racial Paradise?
Week 13: Democracy in Latin America: Argentina
04/28: VP ch. 13, supplementary readings distributed in class
Malamud, A. Social Revolution or Political Takeover? The Argentine Collapse of 2001 Reassessed
Movie: Motorcycle Diaries
Week 14: Student Presentations
05/05: Presentations (Final distributed in class)
Final Exam Due: Thursday, May 12th, 3:00 PM.
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