San Diego State University, Department of Political Science & Latin American Studies POLS/LatAm 366: Introduction to Latin American Politics Spring 2014 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 3:15 pm Storm Hall 105 Schedule #22497 (POLS) Schedule #21751 (LATAM) Instructor: Office Hours: Dr. James Samstad TuTh 1:00 1:50 pm jsamstad@mail.sdsu.edu Nasatir Hall 105 COURSE DESCRIPTION In recent years, Latin America has been seen as experiencing a resurgence. Once plagued by authoritarianism and economic stagnation, many countries in the region have undergone a relatively successful process of democratization while achieving relatively high rates of overall economic growth. At the same time millions of individual Latin Americans continue to be left behind as recent patterns of economic development benefit primarily a small share of the population. As well the growth that has occurred has been subject to a recurrent tendency towards periods of macro-economic crisis. Equally troubling, while generally democratic, many of the political systems continue to be marked by problems of instability, excessive centralization, and corruption. In order to assess both the achievements and ongoing dilemmas of Latin American political and economic development, this course will begin by examining the region s history, analyzing its early development from colonialism through the middle of the twentieth century. Particular emphasis will given to issues concerning populism, corporatism, and bureaucratic authoritarianism. The course will then turn to the period since the 1980s, analyzing the process of democratization and the implementation of economic liberalization programs, as well as the more recent political backlash against this economic model. In each of these sections, the course will emphasize developments in five key Latin American countries Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon successful completion of this course, students should: 1) Identify the primary effects of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism in Latin America; 2) Have a clear understanding of the independence struggles in the region, as well as their political aftermath; 3) Understand the emergence of Latin American populism and corporatism; 4) Be able to identify the basic political geography of Latin America;
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 2 5) Have the capacity to compare and contrast the different processes of democratization in the region; 6) Understand the impact of the 1980s debt crisis in Latin America; 7) Have a clear familiarity with the process of neoliberal economic reform in the region and the counter-reaction to it by the 2000s; 8) Be familiar with the history and current state of Latin American relations with the United States; 9) Be able to identify the key leaders, historical events, and political structures of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING Students are required to attend class regularly and participate in discussions, take an in-class quiz and midterm, write an take-home midterm essay, and complete a final exam. Grades are based on a 1,000 point scale, weighed as follows: Attendance Participation Map Quiz In-Class Midterm Take-Home Midterm Final Exam 50 points 50 points 50 points 250 points 250 points 350 points Final grades will given in accordance with the number of points received: 930 1,000 points A 900 929 points A 870 899 points B+ 830 869 points B 800 829 points B 770 799 points C+ 730 769 points C 700 729 points C 670 699 points D+ 630 669 points D 600 629 points D Below 600 points F Attendance: An attendance sheet will be distributed for each regular class session (excluding the days of the in-class midterm and final). Those not attending will need to have a valid and documented excuse to not be docked for missing that day. At the instructor s discretion, those arriving after roll has been taken may be given half credit for attendance if they talk to the instructor immediately after class.
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 3 Up to fifty points for attendance will be allocated in proportion to the number of sessions attended. For example, an 80% attendance rate will earn 40 points for attendance. Excused absences will neither be counted as present nor absent in calculating this percentage (that is, as if there had been no class session that day in that student s case). Note that any student caught signing in for a fellow student not in attendance will considered to be cheating on an assignment and will be disciplined accordingly. Participation: Students are expected not only to attend class regularly, but participate fully in class discussions. Each student will be graded according the degree to which he or she has participated in discussions regularly and in an informed manner. For average levels of participation, this portion of the grade will roughly match that for attendance, but it will be adjusted upwards or downwards for greater and lesser participation levels. Map Quiz: A quiz will be given at the time of the midterm listed below in which students are expected to identify where each Latin American country is located on a blank map, along with the name of each country s capital (see the final page of this syllabus for a map with the information you will be quizzed upon). A passing grade of at least 70 percent (35 points) is required to receive credit for this course. Students identifying less than 70 percent correct will be expected to retake the exam in office hours until such time as they are able to obtain a passing grade (with the final map quiz grade reflecting the average of the quizzes taken). In-Class Midterm: A multiple-choice midterm will be given during the regular class session listed in the schedule below that will be based on the readings, lectures, and discussions in Parts I, II, and III of the course. Be sure to bring a green, half-sheet sized Scantron (#882-E) and a #2 pencil. At least one week prior to the midterm a study guide will be distributed giving more details as to the material to be covered. Take-Home Midterm: A take-home midterm question based on the material up through Part III of the course will be distributed as the in-class midterm is turned in. It will be due a week later at the beginning of class on the date listed below in the class schedule. The answer should be approximately 5 double-spaced typed pages in length. In addition to the hard copy, students must submit an exact copy in Word (DOC or DOCX), Rich Text (RTF), or Adobe Portable Document (PDF) format to Turnitin via Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. the evening after essay is to be turned into class. Please begin the file or archive s name with your last name (the rest of the filename may be anything you wish). Final Exam: The final exam will be held during the university scheduled time as listed below in the regular class room. It will be comprehensive in nature, but will emphasize the readings and lectures since the midterms (that is, Part IV). As with the in-class midterm, at least one week prior to the final a study guide will be distributed giving more details as to its structure and content. As the exam will include both multiple choice and essay questions, students will need to bring at least one bluebook, a green, half-sheet sized Scantron (#882-E), a #2 pencil, and a pen.
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 4 REQUIRED READINGS The book listed below is required an may be purchased from the campus bookstore. Harry E. Vanden and Gary Prevost. Politics of Latin America: The Power Game. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. In addition students are expected to read several journal articles listed below, nearly all of which are available through JSTOR and which, when possible, may be posted as PDFs on Blackboard. Students are expected to complete the required readings for each topic by the date of that lecture and be prepared to discuss and ask questions about them. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY Cheating on papers and exams will result in an automatic failing grade for the course and the reporting of the student to university authorities for disciplinary action, including possible expulsion. In writing, remember that credit by means of a footnote or endnote must be given for every direct quotation, for paraphrased or summarized text, and for information that is not common knowledge. Ignorance as to what constitutes plagiarism will not be accepted as an excuse. Students who have questions about the definition of plagiarism should consult the university s official statement on Academic Dishonesty <http://csrr.sdsu.edu/academics1.html>, or ask the instructor. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES In accordance with federal law, individualized accommodations, such as additional time for test taking, will be made for students with disabilities. However, requests for such accommodations must be made by the end of the second full week of instruction and may require approval and certification from Student Disability Services (SDS), Calpulli Center, Suite 3101 <dsstest@mail.sdsu.edu> [619-594-6473].
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 5 COURSE SCHEDULE (Subject to change) I) INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Overview of Course (January 23) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 1-17. The Legacy of Colonialism (January 28 30) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 18-49, 79-91, and 131-137. From Comparative Advantage to Import Substitution (February 4 6) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 49-64, 151-165, 182-187, 202-244, and 277-295. II) THE ROAD TO BUREAUCRATIC AUTHORITARIANISM Argentine History (February 11 13) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 425-439. Lupu, Noam, and Susan C. Stokes. 2009. The Social Bases of Political Parties in Argentina, 1912-2003. Latin American Research Review 44 (1):58-87. [Available through Little, Walter. 1973. "Party and State in Peronist Argentina, 1945-1955." The Hispanic American Historical Review 53 (4):644-662. [Available through Brazilian History (February 18 20) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 397-403. Skidmore, Thomas E. 2004. Brazil's Persistent Income Inequality: Lessons from History. Latin American Politics and Society 46 (2):133-150. [available through Geddes, Barbara. 1990. Building State Autonomy in Brazil, 1930-1964. Comparative Politics 22 (2):217-235. [available through Chilean History (February 25 27) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 461-467. Goldberg, Peter A. 1975. The Politics of the Allende Overthrow in Chile. Political Science Quarterly 90 (1):93-115. [available through Landsberger, Henry A., and Tim McDaniel. 1976. "Hypermobilization in Chile, 1970-1973." World Politics 28 (4):502-541. [available through III) REVOLUTION AND PACTED DEMOCRACY Mexican History (March 4 6) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 337-353.
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 6 Calvert, Peter. 1969. The Institutionalisation of the Mexican Revolution. Journal of Inter- American Studies 11 (4):503-517. [available through Weston, Charles H., Jr. 1983. "The Political Legacy of Lázaro Cárdenas." The Americas 39 (3):383-405. [available through Venezuelan History (March 11 13) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 483-493. Karl, Terry Lynn. 1987. Petroleum and Political Pacts: The Transition to Democracy in Venezuela. Latin American Research Review 22 (1):63-94. [available through Neuhouser, Kevin. 1992. "Democratic Stability in Venezuela: Elite Consensus or Class Compromise?" American Sociological Review 57 (1):117-135. [available through TUESDAY, MARCH 18: MAP QUIZ & MULTIPLE-CHOICE MIDTERM (IN-CLASS) TUESDAY, MARCH 18: ESSAY MIDTERM (TAKE-HOME) DISTRIBUTED IV) BETWEEN DEMOCRACY AND NEOLIBERALISM The Twin Transitions (March 20 27) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 65-78, 104-130, 137-149, 165-180, 187-200, 268-271, and 295-302. March 30 April 6: Spring Break THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 11:00 AM: ESSAY MIDTERM (TAKE-HOME) DUE Argentina Today (April 8 10) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 264-266 and 439-457. Brusco, Valeria, Marcelo Nazareno, and Susan C. Stokes. 2004. Vote Buying in Argentina. Latin American Research Review 39 (2):66-88. [available through González, Diego. 2007. Argentina's Presidential Elections: Pragmatism, Changes, and Continuity. In Americas Policy Program Special Report. Washington, DC: Center for International Policy. [to be posted on Blackboard] Brazil Today (April 15 17) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 403-421. Hunter, Wendy. 2007. The Normalization of an Anomaly: The Workers' Party in Brazil. World Politics 59 (3):440-475. [available through Reed, Alexandra and Nicky Pear. 2010. Challenges Ahead for Brazil s First Female President. Council on Hemispheric Affairs. <http://www.coha.org/challenges-aheadfor-brazil s-first-female-president-2/>. [To be posted on Blackboard]
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 7 Chile Today (April 22 24) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 467-479. Posner, Paul W. 2004. Local Democracy and the Transformation of Popular Participation in Chile. Latin American Politics and Society 46 (3):55-81. [available through Durrett, Jessie. 2013. Students Change Political Debate Leading Up to Chilean Primary Elections. Council on Hemispheric Affairs. <http://www.coha.org/students-changepolitical-debate-leading-up-to-chilean-primary-elections/>. [To be posted on Blackboard] Mexico Today (April 29 May 1) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 97-101, 266-267, and 353-364. Olvera, Alberto J. 2010. "The Elusive Democracy: Political Parties, Democratic Institutions, and Civil Society in Mexico." Latin American Research Review 45:79-107. [available through Garcia, John L. 2010. PRI Begins its Ascent to Power as a Perplexed U.S. Looks for Formula to Bring Down Mexican Drug Syndicates. Council on Hemispheric Affairs. <http://www.coha.org/pri-began-its-ascent-to-power-as-u-s-looks-for-formula-tobring-down-mexican-drug-syndicates>. [To be posted on Blackboard] Venezuela Today (May 6 8) Vanden and Prevost 2012, pp. 493-504. Herrera Salas, Jesús María. 2005. Ethnicity and Revolution: The Political Economy of Racism in Venezuela. Latin American Perspectives 32 (2):72-91. [available through Rosenberg, Tina. 2007. The Perils of Petrocracy. New York Times Magazine, December 4, 42-49 and 78-80. [to be posted on Blackboard] TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1:00 PM 3:00 PM: FINAL EXAM
POLS/LATAM 366 (Spring 2014) Dr. Samstad Course Syllabus, p. 8 COUNTRIES AND CAPITALS COVERED BY MAP QUIZ