Ethnic and Multicultural Contributions to America
Subject code: AN3016MA05
Drug Trafficking and Drug Culture in Latin America
Agustín Cadena
agustincadena@yahoo.com
Tel. +36204090081
Format: seminar, 2 hours; graded.
Place: Room 55
Time: Wednesday 12:00 -13:50
Office Hours: Wednesdays 16:00 - 18:00 hrs.
Description of course
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the main topics of the Latin American
culture of drugs and drug trafficking, from Native American traditional /ritual and
therapeutic use to recreational use in the present day, including cultural icons and
stereotypes, economic and political aspects, culture of violence, religion, literature,
cinema and pop culture.
Course Requirements
The reading assignments are kept as reasonable as possible. Students will be expected
to attend class faithfully, to keep up with the readings, and to come to class prepared
with questions and comments for discussion. The classes will be conducted in an
atmosphere in which the instructor and the students take time to discuss readings and
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share their insights. Each student will give one ten-minute oral presentation, write a tenpage research essay, and conclude the course with a written in class exam. Failing to
meet any of these requirements will automatically mean failing the whole course.
Class Attendance and Participation
Students December not miss more than three classes under any circumstances.
Tardiness, early departures, and/or disruption of the class will not be accepted. If you
have a compelling reason for arriving late or leaving early, make sure you speak with
me about the problem. If you regularly cut the beginning and/or end of the class
sessions, it can add up to full-class time absences.
Oral Presentation.
The topics will be assigned by the instructor in the first or second class. They are
expected to cover historical, anthropological, economic, social, and cultural aspects.
Information can be taken from Internet sources. All presentations must include
graphic material (image files, Power Point documents, Youtube clips, etc.) shown on the
classroom screen.
Research Paper.
The topic will be chosen by the student, but the instructor has to approve it before work
on it is begun. The paper must be typed, double-spaced, in a 12 points ordinary font.
10,000 characters long, minimum.
Written Exam
It will include some short questions, plus two essay questions for students to write a
200-250 word essay on a given topic.
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Grading
Attendance and participation: 25%
Presentation: 25%
Research Paper: 25%
Final test: 25%
Week-by-Week Description of Course
Class 1. September 16: Lecture. Drugs in the World context. Economic and political
aspects. Orientation: course introduction and requirements. Reading assignments will
be given. Topics for oral presentations will be agreed on.
Class 2. September 23: Film
Class 3. September 30. Discussion on the film. Drugs in Ancient History. Drugs in
modern times (Victorian Age, First half of the 20th century). The 1960’s boom and the
Hippy culture, and the second half of the 20th century to the present day. Traditional /
ritual use of drugs in Native American Cultures: marihuana and cocaine. Traditional use:
peyote and mushrooms.
Class 4. October 7: Film.
Class 5. October 14: Discussion on the film. First generation of narcos: The Robin
Hood type. Pablo Escobar, Rafael Caro Quintero, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo. Second
generation. Drug Capitalism. Joaquín Loera “Chapo” Guzmán, Sandra Avila Beltran.
Class 6. October 21: Narco Economy and the Narco Republics. Production and
Distribution. Trade routes.
Class 7. November 4: Film
Class 8. November 11: Discussion on the film. Drug dealing and guerrilla in Colombia.
The Colombian cartels.
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Class 9. November 18: Drug dealing in Central America. Drug dealing in Brazil,
Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Class 10. November 25: The Mexican cartels. Widespread violence and everyday life.
Class 11. December 2: Narco Religion. La Santa Muerte. Malverde.
Class 12. December 9: Narco corridos. Cinema. Narco Literature. Narco Fashion.
Class 13. December 16: Final test. Reception of research papers.
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