UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS
CPO 3303- 01DA
FALL 2013
INSTRUCTOR: DR. INGRID ERICKSON
MEETING TIME: T PERIOD 2-3 (8:30- 10:25); R PERIOD 3 (9:35-10:25AM)
ROOM: ANDERSON 034
OFFICE: ANDERSON 317
OFFICE HOURS: MW 9:30 am – 1pm or by appointment
PHONE: 352-273-2390
E-MAIL: ingride@ufl.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS
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Daniel Levy and Kathleen Bruhn. 2006. Mexico: The Struggle for Democratic Development. University of
California Press. 2nd Edition
Alfred Montero. 2005. Brazilian Politics. Polity.
Vanden, H., & Prevost, G. 2012. Politics of Latin America: The Power Game. New York: Oxford University
Press.
Articles can be found on ARES
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Why are Latin America’s politics unique from other regions of the world? What successes and failures have
Latin American Politics experienced or is experiencing? Why have Latin American politics proved volatile in
the past? What are the major aspects that have influenced Latin American politics? What does the future have in
store for Latin America? This course is designed to provide an introduction to the changing politics of Latin
America by addressing these broad questions. Latin America is a dynamic region that has experienced many
social, economic, and political challenges. Even though much of Latin America is considered democratic, the
quality of democracy in this region is contentious among scholars.
This course is divided into four sections, (1) familiarization and re-examination of Latin American Politics
topics and themes, (2) economic and modernization without democracy in the case of Mexico and (3) Brazil’s
challenges to democratic development
COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Discuss historical, social and political challenges to democracy in Latin America.
 Differentiate among the countries’ histories and politics in the region
 Evaluate the quality of democracy in this region.
 Encourage students to explore a specific interest in Latin American politics through construction of a
research paper.
 Identify core concepts within Latin American Politics and apply these core concepts to particular country
studies.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 To pass Latin American Politics, you must complete all required course work.
 Class participation is also a significant part of this course. It includes your asking questions in class about
readings, answering questions and participating in class discussion and activities.
 In-class work must be completed in class on the day assigned and may not be made up.

Out-of-class work must be typed in the appropriate professional format; it is due at the beginning of class and
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE.
EVALUATION
The evaluation of written work will be thorough and rigorous, holding students to the highest professional
standards. We will use a 550 -point system, the points of which will be distributed as follows:

Examinations (2 @ 100 points/exam) = 200
There are two exams. These exams are not cumulative and you will be responsible for both the information
covered in class, assigned readings and films. The exams will consist of short answer and essay questions. Each
exam will be weighted equally at 100 points each. PLEASE SUPPLY BLUE BOOKS FOR THESE EXAMS.
These exams will be written for the 50- minute time block. There will be no final exam.

Research Paper (150 points) = 150
You will write a 12 - 15 page paper on a topic of your choice that relates to this course. The 12 -15 page
requirement does not include the reference list or appendices. This paper will be logos- based and supported with
evidence in the form of facts, statistics, and/or quotations from the field of literature. A good research paper will
clearly outline the research question, your hypothesis, the body of your research, analysis, conclusion, and include
a reference list. Paper organization, coherence, grammar and mechanics will all be evaluated in the grade. ALL
WRITTEN WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PROFESSIONAL MANNER (COMPUTER
GENERATED, DOUBLE-SPACED, TIMES NEW ROMAN, SIZE 12 FONT, 1” MARGIN). Please feel
free to visit the instructor’s office hours to discuss possible research paper topics.

Quizzes (10 @ 10 points/quiz) = 100
There will be 10 unannounced quizzes throughout the semester, based on the readings for that specific day and
worth 10 points each. These are short answer quizzes. Quizzes will be administered at the beginning of class,
before the readings are discussed. If you arrive late and the quizzes have been handed out, you forfeit your
opportunity to sit for the quiz. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.

Attendance/Class Participation (100 points) = 100
Class Attendance is a required component of CPO 3303. The information in this class will be presented and
discussed in systematic way narrowing from macro topics to application of those macro topics to specific case
studies. This progression necessitates your attendance in class. Often times there will be information that is
presented during class that will not be based on course readings, thus making the learning that occurs spontaneous
and difficult to reproduce.
Additionally, this element of your grade includes your participation in class discussion. If you fail to attend class
regularly, you will not be able to receive points for this section of this grade because you will not be there to
participate. Students must be able to discuss readings in small groups, and as a class as whole. The discussion
portion of this course allows you to further internalize the information presented and also gain your peers’
perspective on the topics discussed. Students who might be uncomfortable responding when called upon in class
might consider writing out their questions and comments in advance, and be ready to clarify or elaborate upon
them in class. IF YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN CLASS DISCUSSION YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE
THE FULL POINTS FOR THIS PORTION OF THE GRADE.
Grading Scale
550 TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE
A: 509-550
A-: 495- 508
B+: 478-494
B: 456- 477
C-: 385-400
D+: 369- 384
D: 347- 368
D-: 330-346
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B-: 440- 455
C+: 424-439
C: 402-423
E: 329-0
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND ASSIGNMENTS
(Note that revisions may occur during the semester. I’ll notify you of any changes).
***Readings must be prepared for the day assigned.
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICA
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION
Aug 22: Introduction to Latin American Politics
Syllabus distribution, introductory comments, text and general course overview
WEEK 2
Aug 27: The Colonial Legacy
Vanden & Prevost, chs 1&2
Aug 29: Independence and its aftermath
Vanden & Prevost, ch. 3
WEEK 3
Sept 3: Gender, Race and Ethnicity
Vanden & Prevost, chs. 4 & 5
Sept 5: Religion and Politics
Vanden & Prevost, ch. 6
WEEK 4
Sept 10: Democratization
Vanden & Prevost, ch. 8
**Lecture on writing a Political Science Research paper
****RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT***
Sept 12: Political Actors
Vanden & Prevost, ch. 9
Kathryn Hochstetler. 2006. “Rethinking Presidentialism: Challenges and Presidential Falls in South America”
Comparative Politics 38(4): 401-418
WEEK 5
Sept 17: Revolutionary Change and Social Movements
Vanden & Prevost, ch. 10
Auyero, Javier. 2006. “The Political Makings of the 2001 Lootings in Argentina.” Journal of Latin American
Studies 38 (2):241-65.
****Research Paper PROPOSAL DUE in hard copy and e-copy to ingride@ufl.edu****
Sept 19: Indigenous Movements
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Trejo, Guillermo. 2009. Religious Competition and Ethnic Mobilization in Latin America: Why the Catholic
Church Promotes Indigenous Movements in Mexico” American Political Science Review
Yashar, Deborah J. 1998. Contesting Citizenship: Indigenous Movements and Democracy in Latin
America.Comparative Politics, Vol. 31, No. 1: 23-42
WEEK 6: ECONOMY
Sept 24: Political Economy & Development
Vanden & Prevost, ch. 7
Coatsworth, John. 2008. “Inequality, Institutions, and Economic Growth in Latin America” Journal of Latin
American Studies 40: 545-569.
Sept 26: Income Inequality
Miguel Angel Centeno and Kelly Hoffman, “The Lopsided Continent: Inequality in Latin America,” Annual Review
of Sociology, Vol. 29 (2003).
Alberto Díaz-Cayeros and Beatriz Magaloni. 2009. “Aiding Latin America’s Poor. Poverty, Inequality, and
Democracy.” Journal of Democracy 20, no. 4 (October) 2009: 36-49.
Week 7: U.S. Latin America Relations & Illicit Economy of Latin America
Oct 1 : U.S./ Latin America Relations
Vanden & Prevost ch. 11
Chacon, Mario. Ragnar Torkiv and James Robinson. 2010. When is Democracy an Equilibrium: Theory and
Evidence from Colombia’s La Violencia”. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 55(3): 366-396
Review for Exam 1
Oct 3: ****EXAM 1****
Case Study I: Development and Democracy in Mexico
WEEK 8
Oct 8: Thinking about Development
Levy and Bruhn (LB), ch 1-2
Oct 10: Stability without Democracy
LB, ch 3
WEEK 9
Oct 15: Obstacles to Democratic Development
LB, ch 4
Film Maquilapolis
Oct 17: Mexico’s Economic Development Model
LB, ch 5
WEEK 10
Oct 22: US-Mexican Relations
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LB, ch 6-7
“The Nature of the U.S. – Mexico Drug War: Equal Responsibility, Unequal Costs”
http://www.coha.org/the-nature-of-the-u-s-mexico-drug-war-equal-responsibility-unequal-costs/
Oct 24: The 2000 Elections and Beyond
LB, ch 8
Andreas Schedler (2007).”The Mobilization of Distrust, Journal of Democracy, Vol 18 (1)
Case Study 2: Dictatorship, Uneven development and Democracy in Brazil
WEEK 11
Oct 29: Historical Patterns in Brazilian Politics
Montero, ch 1-2
Oct 31: State Formation
Montero, ch 3
WEEK 12
Nov 5: Challenges to Democratization
Montero, ch. 4
Arias, Enrique Desmond. 2006. The Dynamics of Criminal Governance: Networks and Social Order in Rio de
Janeiro. Journal of Latin American Studies 38: 293-325
Nov 7: Democracy without Equality
Montero, ch 5
WEEK 13
Nov 12: Civil Society and Democratization
Montero, ch 6
Hochstetler, Kathryn 2008 “Organized Civil Society in Lula's Brazil” in Democratic Brazil Revisited, eds. Peter
R. Kingstone and Timothy J. Power. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press: 33-56
Nov 14: Brazil in the World
Montero, ch 7
****RESEARCH PAPER DUE IN HARD COPY AND E-COPY TO INGRIDE@UFL.EDU****
WEEK 14
Nov 19: Lula and Beyond
Montero, ch 8
Lourdes Sola, “Politics, Markets, and Society in Lula’s Brazil.” Journal of Democracy 19:2 (2008)
http://muse.jhu.edu.journals/journal_of_democracy/v019/19.2sola.html
Wendy Hunter and Natasha Borges Sugiyama. 2009. “Democracy and Social Policy in Brazil: Advancing Basic
Needs, Preserving Privileged Interests.” Latin American Politics and Society, Vol. 51, No. 2 : 29–58.
Nov 21: Film Favela Rising
Week 15
Nov 26: Finish Favela Rising
Review session
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****SUBMIT QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW SESSION****
Nov 28: HAPPY THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS!!
WEEK 16
Dec 3: ****EXAM #3**** BRING BLUE BOOK
COURSE POLICIES
Absence Policy
This course allows THREE permitted absences. The absences that are considered as exempt from this policy includes ONLY
those absences involving university- sponsored event, such as athletics and band and religious holidays. Absences for illness or
family emergencies will count toward your THREE allowed absences. EACH ABSENCE OVER THE THREE
PERMITTED ABSENCES WILL LOWER YOUR FINAL GRADE BY 50 POINTS PER ABSENCE. It is your
responsibility to pay attention to any absences you acquire and not expect your instructor to warn you if you reach three.
If you are absent it is your responsibility to make yourself aware of all due dates. You are still responsible for turning
assignments in on time. Please do not come last to class because this disrupts the entire class. IF YOU ARE MORE THAN
15 MINUTES LATE FOR CLASS, YOU WILL BE MARKED ABSENT. TARDINESS 3 TIMES WILL EQUAL ONE
ABSENCE. Please save your absences for when you are really ill.
Mode of Submission
The research paper must be in 12- point Times New Roman font and double-spaced. The paper must have a 1” margin on all
sides, with no header or footer. The citation format should be constructed using parenthetical citations, no footnotes please. Be
sure to staple papers before submitting hard copies. Your final paper should be polished and presented in a professional manner.
Please have e-copy submitted on the day the paper is due. Failure to submit e-copy of paper results in a late paper.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious violation of the student academic honor code. You commit plagiarism when you present the ideas or
words of someone else as your own. You commit plagiarism if you use the following without crediting the source:
 Any part of another person’s essay, speech, or ideas
 Any part of an article in a magazine, journal, newspaper; any part of a book,
o Encyclopedia, CD-ROM, online WWW page, etc.
 Any idea from another person or writer, even if you express that idea in your own words.
Important tip: You should never copy and paste text from the Internet without putting it in quotation marks and providing the
exact location from which it came.
All acts of plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the entire course. Plagiarism can occur
even without any intention to deceive if the student fails to know and employ proper documentation techniques.
Unless otherwise indicated by the instructor for class group work, all work must be your own. NOTHING WRITTEN FOR
ANOTHER COURSE WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Academic Honesty
As a University of Florida student, your performance is governed by the UF Honor Code, available in its full form at
http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/students.html. The Honor Code requires Florida students to neither give nor
receive unauthorized aid in completing all assignments. Violations include cheating, plagiarism, bribery, and misrepresentation.
Visit http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/procedures/academicguide.php for more detail.
Graded Materials
Students are responsible for maintaining duplicate copies of all work submitted in this course and retaining all returned, graded
work until the semester is over. Should the need arise for a re-submission of papers or a review of graded papers, it is the
student's responsibility to have and make available this material.
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Classroom Behavior
Please keep in mind that students come from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Some of the texts we will
discuss and write about engage controversial topics and opinions. Diverse student backgrounds combined with provocative texts
require that you demonstrate respect for ideas that may differ from your own.
Cellular telephone policy
Please refrain from using your cell phone during class. Please switch your phone to off or silent to reduce classroom disruption.
STUDENTS OBSERVED TEXTING DURING CLASS WILL LOSE 5 POINTS PER OBSERVED INFRACTION. If
you are expecting to receive an important phone call, please notify the instructor prior to class and you may leave your phone on
vibrate and step out quietly to answer the phone call.
Students with Disabilities
The University of Florida complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students requesting accommodation should
contact the Students with Disabilities Office, Peabody 202. That office will provide documentation to the student who must then
provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.
Optional Readings
Ames, Barry. 2000. The Deadlock of Democracy in Brazil.
Auyero, Javier. 2003. Contentious Lives: Two Argentine Women, Two Protests, and the Quest for Recognition.
Bob, Clifford. 2005. The Marketing of Rebellion.
Centeno, Miguel Angel, and Fernando López-Alves, eds. 2001. The Other Mirror: Grand Theory Through the
Lens of Latin America.
Cleary, Matthew R. and Susan C. Stokes. 2006. Democracy and the Culture of Skepticism: Political Trust in
Argentina and Mexico.
Collier, David, and Ruth Berins Collier. 1991. Shaping the Political Arena: critical junctures, the labor
movement, and regime dynamics in Latin America.
Diamond, Larry, Jonathan Hartlyn, Juan Linz, and Seymour Martin Lipset, eds. Democracy in Developing
Countries: Latin America
Dominguez, Jorge and Michael Shifter, eds. Constructing Democratic Governance in Latin America
Gill, Anthony. 1998. Rendering unto Caesar: the Catholic Church and the State in Latin America.
Schmitter, Philippe C. and Terry Lynn Karl (1991) “What Democracy Is . . . and Is Not,” Journal of Democracy
2.
Snyder, Richard. 2001. Politics after Neoliberalism: Reregulation in Mexico.
Stokes, Susan C. 2001. Mandates and Democracy: Neoliberalism by Surprise in Latin America.
Vanden, Harry and Gary Prevost. 2008. Politics of Latin America: The Power Game,3rd Edition. Oxford
University Press.
Yashar, Deborah. 2005. Contesting Citizenship in Latin America.
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