Latin American Studies 600
Seminar in Latin American Studies
Fall 2014
Professor: Anthony R. Jerry, PhD
Office: AL 377J
Email: ajerry@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday, 1-3pm, and by appointment
This course is a seminar introducing graduate students to Latin American Studies. It
provides a theoretical, historical, and conceptual survey of Latin American Studies from
the first European conquests in the Western Hemisphere to the beginning of the Twentyfirst century.
The seminar considers: (1) definitions of "Latin America;" (2) the historical development
of writing and research on Latin America; and (3) disciplinary approaches to the study of
Latin America. Students will survey a variety of definitions of Latin America and
diverse approaches to the subject as well as the academic organization of Latin American
Studies.
Two principal objectives are to provide students with an understanding of the diversity of
intellectual and disciplinary approaches to the study of Latin America and to develop an
understanding of the academic organization of Latin American Studies programs. To
achieve these objectives, the course offers students an opportunity to sample literary,
artistic, historical, social science, popular, environmental, and other writing and research
on Latin America from the fifteenth century to the present.
The course is organized as a seminar. Each week students will read assigned material
from the “required text” list. Students are expected to come to class each week with all
assigned readings and additional tasks completed and thoroughly prepared for
presentations and discussion. Short weekly analysis papers on the assigned readings will
be required for most of the weekly meetings. Students will be expected to give organized
oral presentations related to their weekly assignments as well. The schedule of the
seminar follows.
Week 1 (8/27) – Introduction to the Seminar: Expectations; research paper discussion;
and what is Latin America.
Week 2 (9/3) – Delpar, Looking South
Week 3 (9/10) – Black, 1-9
Week 4 (9/17) – Loveman, 1-4
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Week 5 (9/24) – Loveman, 1-8
Week 6 (10/1) – Saldana-Portillo, 1-4
Week 7 (10/8) – Saldana-Protillo, 5-7
Week 8 (10/15) –Millett, 1-10
Week 9 (10/22) – Millett, 11-20
Week 10 (10/29) – Cardosos and Faletto
Week 11 (11/5) – Kingtsone (All), and Black, 11 & 13
Week 12 (11/12) – Poblete
Week 13 (11/19) –
Week 14 (11/26) – No Class for Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 15 (12/3) – Final paper presentations (Maybe class cancelled?)
Week 16 (12/10) – Final paper presentations
*Final papers due in hardcopy to AL 377 on Friday by noon the week following the last day of classes.
General Objectives
This course provides a historical, conceptual, and theoretical survey of Latin American
Studies. By the end of the semester, it is expected that students will have a good
understanding of:
 Sources for scholarly and research information about Latin America
 The historical development of Latin America
 Evolution of academic and other substantive writing about Latin America
 The different methodologies and disciplines of Latin American Studies
 The emergence of Latin American Studies as an organized academic discipline
Skill Objectives
In addition to facilitating students’ acquisition of information about and understanding of
a complex and dynamic region, this course seeks to improve students’ skills in critical
thinking, analytical writing, oral presentations, and multidisciplinary research.
Required Readings
The following are required texts for the course and are available at Aztec Shops or other
booksellers, including Amazon.com:
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Black, J. K. (2011). Latin America: Its problems and its promise : a multidisciplinary
introduction. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Cardoso, F. H., & Faletto, E. (1979). Dependency and development in Latin America. Berkeley:
University of California Press.
Delpar, H. (2008). Looking South: The evolution of Latin Americanist scholarship in the United
States, 1850-1975. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press.
Kingstone, P. R. (2011). The political economy of Latin America: Reflections on neoliberalism
and development. New York: Routledge.
Loveman, M. (2014). National colors: Racial classification and the state in Latin America.
Millett, R., Holmes, J. S., & Pérez, O. J. (2009). Latin American democracy: Emerging reality or
endangered species?. New York: Routledge.
Poblete, J. (2003). Critical Latin American and Latino studies. Minneapolis: University of
Minnesota Press.
Saldaña-Portillo, M. J. (2003). The revolutionary imagination in the Americas and the age of
development. Durham: Duke University Press.
*Other Essays to be determined/assigned in PDF format
Recommended Reading
A useful 1-volume survey of Latin American history:
Julie A. Charlip and E. Bradford Burns. Latin America: An Interpretive History. 9th
Edition. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. Earlier editions are
acceptable as well.
Course Requirements
Requirements for the course include completing assigned readings, approximately 12
short weekly analysis papers (2-3pgs) on the readings, weekly presentations, and a
research paper. Participation in weekly classroom discussions is not only expected but
required. Oral presentations using PowerPoint are required of all students for the draft
research paper. The research paper provides the opportunity for students to explore in
depth specific areas of interest related to Latin American Studies and should be used to
begin to develop students’ exams or thesis topics. Students are expected to complete
assignments on time, attend class without fail, and contribute to class discussions.
Absences must be cleared with the professor.
Laptop and Cell Phone Policy
Use of computers in class is permitted, but only for taking notes during class discussions
or for showing PowerPoint presentations. The Wi-Fi or digital cellular connection must
be turned off while in class. Cell phones must be turned off in class and not just in silent
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mode. Please let me know of any special circumstances that require your cell phone to be
turned on to silent mode.
Research Paper
The research paper is to be 15 to 20 pages in length and must include a detailed and
complete bibliography in APA format (20 minimum) as well as appropriate citations for
passages and specific information cited in the text. Clear and correct writing is an
important component of the paper. The paper must include: 1) a clear presentation of the
topic and research question to be addressed; 2) discussion of the topic in the body of the
paper with appropriate citations; and 3) discussion of findings and conclusions. A
presentation of the research paper topic will be presented and discussed in class, with
time allowed for class feedback. Students will then submit a final, revised version of the
paper to the instructor in hard copy.
Plagiarism is an ongoing problem at SDSU and elsewhere. Students in this course are
responsible for understanding what plagiarism is, knowing what SDSU policies are for
plagiarism, and avoiding plagiarism. A good place to start is an on-line tutorial:
http://infotutor.sdsu.edu/plagiarism/index.cfm
Short Written Assignments
Over the course of the semester, each student will prepare a written weekly analysis
paper on the required readings. These written assignments will usually be 2 or 3 pages in
length. The review should focus on the main research questions or thesis of the text under
consideration. The papers should also present at least three questions that may
potentially be used for class discussion. It is expected that these papers will be used to
demonstrate the student’s understanding and engagement with the assigned material.
Prior to writing the first analyst paper, students should look at the book review sections in
professional journals such as Latin American Research Review, Journal of Latin
American Studies, Journal of Inter-American Affairs, Journal of InterAmerican Studies
and World Affairs/Latin American Politics and Society, The Americas, Hispanic
American Historical Review, Bulletin of Latin American Studies, Ethnohistory, and
others.
Annotated Bibliography
Approximately 7 weeks into the semester you will be required to turn in an annotated
bibliography with key sources that will be used for your final research paper. We will
discuss this requirement in class, but for now, be prepared to add a minimum of 15
sources to your bibliography.
Grading:
Research paper
Reading summaries
Presentation
Annotated Bibliography
Class Participation
150
120 (12 @ 10pts each)
50
50
100
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Disability Statement
"If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is
your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay
in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as
possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide
accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from
Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated."
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