U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN
RELATIONS
Political Science 146A
Peter H. Smith
TA: Kathryn Dove
CONTACT INFO
• phsmith@dss.ucsd.edu
• Office hours: Wednesday 2-4, SSB 364
• Website:
– Polisci.ucsd.edu/faculty/smith/html
– Dss/ucsd.edu/~phsmith/teaching/htm
• kdove@ucsd.edu
• Monday 4:30-5:30 and Thursday 1-2
• SSB 320
Key Questions
• What is the current state of U.S. relations
with Latin America?
• What (if anything) is unique or “new” about
the present situation? How much have we
seen before?
• Where is the relationship headed? What
might the future hold?
• Subtext: strong vs. weak, disparity in
power
Design of the Course
• Course Structure and Conceptual
Approaches
• Historical Stages
1. Imperialism in the Americas
2. Cold War in the Americas
3. After the Cold War: From Geopolitics to
Geoeconomics
• The Contemporary Scene: 9/11present
1. The War on Terror and Global
Realities
2. Neglect and Opportunity for Latin
America
3. The Political Economy of Drug
Trafficking
4.Migration and Latino Communities
5. Barack Obama and the Politics of
Hope (?)
6. Conclusion and Review
POINTS OF ENTRY
• Readings:
– Smith, Talons of the Eagle
– Domínguez and Fernández de Castro,
Contemporary U.S.-Latin American Relations
– POLI 146A Course Reader
• Videos (as shown)
• Guest speakers
TO PURCHASE
COURSE READER
University Readers
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http://www.universityreaders.com
“STUDENTS BUY HERE” in “Student Store”
Create an account or login
Follow instructions
Call 800.200.3908
ASSIGNMENTS AND DATES
• February 19: “mock” midterm
• March 7: 10-12 page analytical papers
(50% of course grade)
• TBA: Closed-book final exam (50% of
course grade)
“MISSING”
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How accurate the factual detail?
Role of Chilean military and/or Pinochet?
Degree of U.S. complicity?
Why the powerful so fearful?
Could such a thing happen today? Why or
why not? Where or where not?
A CAST OF CHARACTERS
PARTING THOUGHTS
• Have fun in this course!
• Q: If ignorance is bliss, knowledge must
be…. ?