Course Description:
Latin American countries share a common past of colonialism, war, poverty, authoritarianism, political instability and foreign intervention. They differ, however, in the way they have tried to deal with this legacy. Although more attention will be dedicated to understanding their collective experiences since 1945, this course examines the struggle for political and economic development from the time they became independent to the present.

The course is divided into two parts. In the first part of the course, we will consider critically some of the major theories of development. In the second part we will assess how well these, and other, theories explain the economic and political outcomes in Latin America. Two basic questions will be addressed: Why have the economic policies of Latin American governments shifted so dramatically over the course of the last century? What have been the economic, social, and political consequences of these changes?

Student Learning Outcome:
1- At the end of this course, students will comprehend the complexities of “modernization” in other regions of the world. By comparing and contrasting different countries, they will be able to determine how these countries have handled development issues and responded to the pressures of democratization;
2- It will provide students with the tools that will enable them to conceptually evaluate and critically analyze the history, politics, economy, and culture of Latin America through a multi-disciplinary and cross-national approach;
3- Students will be able to identify the most significant political actors in the region;
4- Students will be able to understand the significant impact of Latin America’s colonial legacy on today’s politics and economics;
5- The course will promote students’ understanding of the prospects for economic development and democracy in Latin America.


Course Requirements:
Your performance in this course will be assessed in the following manner:

            Mid-Term Exams 30%
            Class Participation 15%
            Term paper 20%
            Oral Presentation 10%
            One Final (comprehensive) Exam 25%

Grading System:
The grading scale for this course is as follows:

            100 – 90 = A
            89 – 80 = B
            79 – 70 = C
            69 – 60 = D
            59 and below = F

Term Paper and Oral Presentation (30% of your grade):
You will be required to write a term paper (10-15 pages). The paper should seek to explain an economic or political phenomenon that has occurred in one or more Latin American countries. In developing your explanation you should explicitly address existing theories or explanations for this phenomenon. In your paper, you will be expected to introduce the topic, explain it using the course materials (texts, lectures, etc.), and give your conclusion on what you think about the subject. Your grade will be determined by the quality of your presentation and discussion of the subject matter in the paper, and the strength of your argument. You have the responsibility of choosing the subject that most interests you. This paper should be typed and double-spaced, following the APA guidelines for writing term papers. The paper is due on April 6. You will be required to make an in-class presentation of your paper.

Mid-Term (30% of your grade) and Final Exams (25% of your grade):
There will be two mid-term exams each worth 15% of your grade. Each of the exams will be a combination of both objective and essay questions. Questions will draw from assigned readings, lectures and any other material presented during class time (e.g. videos, guest speakers, etc.). Please note that the final exam will be comprehensive in scope and held on the officially scheduled exam day and place.

Class Participation (15%):
Classroom discussion plays an important part in this course, both as a component of your final grade and as a way of learning the material (and, hopefully, learning it in a way that has enduring value for you). This course entails a significant amount of weekly reading assignments. I expect you to take an active role in the learning process. You are expected to come to class fully prepared to discuss the assigned material and to participate regularly during the time set aside for class discussion.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance to this course is mandatory. NGCSU attendance policy will be strictly enforced. After your fourth absence, I have the right to drop you from the class (“W” in your records). Please familiarize yourself with its terms as stated in the undergraduate bulletin.

I will call roll at the beginning of each class meeting. Arriving late to class or leaving early will count as an absence.

Absences carry an additional penalty since absentees will not be able to participate in class and will miss lecture notes and arguments made during discussion.

You are strongly encouraged not to miss your classes.

Policy Regarding Make-up Exams and Incomplete Grades:
Make up opportunities and incomplete grades will be given at my discretion and in accordance with college policy. You should make every effort to contact me before the time of the scheduled assignment (quizzes, mid-term, or final exam) to arrange a make up (provided you are conscious). I will require proof of suitable and valid documentation (medical, administrative, or legal) to make up the missed assignment afterward. Avoid such instances. My phone number and e-mail address are printed on this syllabus.

I reserve the right to change the exam questions or format on any make up exam offered.

Academic Integrity Policy:
NGCSU honor policy will be strictly enforced. The Integrity Code reads as follows:

“On my honor, I will not lie cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth or tolerate those who do.”

Your term paper must be submitted to Turnitin.com. Please read the following statement and familiarize yourself with the terms of this policy:

“Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.”

Class Etiquette Policy:
Because students using their cell phones disrupt a class already in progress and distract other students, I will ask you to turn them off at the beginning of each class.
The same principle applies to foods and drinks in the classroom. As long as they do not constitute a distraction or nuisance, they will be allowed into the classroom at my discretion.

Students with Disabilities:
NGCSU is committed to equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. Any student with a disability that may affect his or her ability to perform successfully in class should provide me with official notification from the Office of Student Disability Resources to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Procedures for registering are published in the Undergraduate Bulletins.

Required Texts:
Howard Wiarda and Harvey Kline, An Introduction to Latin American Politics and Development, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2001

Patrice Franko, The Puzzle of Latin American Economic Development, 2nd Ed, Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2003

There also is an assigned collection of readings that must be purchased at the campus print shop.

Schedule of Assignments:
Jan 5                 Course Overview and Presentation

Jan 10-24          Introduction. Theories of Development: Modernization Theory, Dependency Theory, Neo-Statist Theory, and Neo-Liberal Theory
Wiarda and Kline, Chapters 1-6
Franko, Chapter 1
W. W. Rostow, "The Five Stages of Growth," in Mitchell A. Seligson and John T. Passe-Smith, eds., Development and Underdevelopment: The Political Economy of Global Inequality, 3rd Ed, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2003, pp. 123-131
Seymour Lipset, “Values, Education, and Entrepreneurship,” in Peter F. Klaren and Thomas J. Bossert, eds., Promise of Development: Theories of Change in Latin America, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1986, pp. 39-75
Andre Gunder Frank, “The Development of Underdevelopment,” in Peter F. Klaren and Thomas J. Bossert, eds., Promise of Development: Theories of Change in Latin America, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1986, pp. 111-123
Theotonio Dos Santos, “The Structure of Dependence,” in Mitchell A. Seligson and John T. Passe-Smith, eds., Development and Underdevelopment: The Political Economy of Global Inequality, 3rd Ed, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2003, pp. 277-288
Peter Evans, “Reinventing the Bourgeoisie: State Entrepreneurship and Class Formation in Dependent Capitalist Development,” The American Journal of Sociology 88 Supplement (1982): S210-S247
John Williamson, “What Washington Means by Policy Reform,” in Peter Kingstone, ed., Readings in Latin American Politics: Challenges to Democratization, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2006, pp. 83-89

Jan 26-31           Historical Roots: Latin American Politics and Development from Independence to 1930
Franko, Chapter 2
Wiarda and Kline, Chapter 2
John H. Coatsworth, “Economic and Institutional Trajectories in Nineteenth-Century Latin America,” in John H. Coatsworth and Alan M. Taylor, eds., Latin America and the World Economy since 1800, Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1998, pp. 23-54
Roberto Cortes Conde, “Export-Led Growth in Latin America, 1870-1930,” Journal of Latin American Studies 24 (1992): 163-179

Feb 2-7               Import Substitution Industrialization
Franko, Chapter 3
Albert O. Hirschman, "The Political Economy of Import-Substituting Industrialization in Latin America," Quarterly Journal of Economics 82.1 (Feb 1968): 2-32

Feb 9                  FIRST MID-TERM EXAM

Feb 14-16          The Role of the State
Franko, Chapter 6
Wiarda and Kline, Chapter 7

Feb 21-23          The Role of Capital
Franko, Chapter 7
Wiarda and Kline, Chapters 4-5

Feb 28-Mar 2    Labor
Franko, Chapter 9
M. Victoria Murillo, “Latin American Labor” in Peter Kingstone, ed., Readings in Latin American Politics: Challenges to Democratization, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2006, pp. 129-146

Mar 7                 Land Reform
Franko, Chapter 10
Jacques Lambert, “Responsibility of the Latifundios for Lags in Social Development,” in Peter F. Klaren and Thomas J. Bossert, eds., Promise of Development: Theories of Change in Latin America, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1986, pp. 100-108

Mar 9                SECOND MID-TERM EXAM

Mar 14-16        SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES

Mar 21-23        Poverty and Inequality
Franko, Chapter 11
Carlos Vilas, “Neoliberal Social Policy, Managing Poverty (Somehow)” in Peter Kingstone, ed., Readings in Latin American Politics: Challenges to Democratization, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2006, pp. 100-110.
Nancy Birdsall and Richard Sabot, “Inequality as Constraint on Growth in Latin America,” in Mitchell A. Seligson and John T. Passe-Smith, eds., Development and Underdevelopment: The Political Economy of Global Inequality, 3rd Ed, Boulder, CO: L. Rienner Publishers, 2003, pp. 449-456

Mar 28-30        Health and Education
Franko, Chapters 12-13

Apr 4                PAPERS DUE

Apr 4-20           Oral Presentations

Apr 11              HONORS DAY – NO CLASSES

Apr 25              Future Prospects of Latin American Political and Economic Development
Wiarda and Kline, Chapters 8 & 9
Franko, Chapter 15

Apr 27              Course Review

May 4               FINAL EXAM

 

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE