History 203 Instructor: Jorge Hernandez-Fujigaki, Ph.D.

E-Mail: jfujigak@mc.cc.md.us

The following books are available for purchase at the bookstore (Campus Center, First Floor)

Mark A. Burkholder & Lyman L. Johnson, Colonial Latin America, 3^rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998

Thomas E. Skidmore and Peter H. Smith, Modern Latin America, 4^th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997

Abbreviations

Also, required chapters from the texts below will be on reserve at the Library (tentative list). It is your responsibility to go there and read them!

Crosby Alfred , The Columbian Exchange: Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492, Wesport, Conn., Greenwood Pub. Co., 1972

Paz, Octavio, The Labyrinth of Solitude: Life and Though in Mexico, Grove Press, 1961

Alan Riding, Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans, New York, Vintage Books, 1989

The purpose of this course is to survey the history of Latin American societies and cultures from shortly before the arrival of Europeans in the late 15^th century to the present. Lecture topics include the nature of Native American societies, European conquest and settlement, the nature of Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule, independence movements in the early 19^th century, efforts to create stable nations after independence, 20^th century social, political, and economic patterns, and the role of the United States in the region. Videos will highlight such themes as urbanization, migration, gender, and identity. We have selected a small number of countries, time periods and comparative topics for more extended study. Taking five hundred years of the history of several countries in a semester could make any course schematic, simplistic and disjointed. To reduce these risks, students will be expected to keep abreast of assigned readings and to press the instructor for clear, illuminating answers to the questions these readings and lectures suggest.

-Think historically about the major forces (events, institutions, ideas) that have shaped modern Latin American history and culture and to apply that knowledge to the analysis of the present

-Highlight the similarities and differences in the European experience of Migration and

settlement

-Trace the Native American, Spanish, Portuguese and African roots of the peoples of Latin America and understand the historical roots of their contrasting national experiences

Students will be required to read the assigned readings and handouts, attend video showings, and come to class prepared to integrate what they have learned in class discussions. They are also required to take two quizzes (15%), two exams and submit a comparative book review . The two exams each worth 30 points, will be based on the material covered in the lectures. Study questions for both the mid-term and the final examination will be distributed in class prior to the exams. In addition, students are expected to write a critical review (7-10 pages, doubled spaced) of at least two related readings (books). The books must be approved in advance by the instructor or your book review will not be graded. You will be given suggestions for topics if you do not have something special in mind. The literary review will be due by the beginning of the twelfth week (April 10) and will be worth 15% of your grade. "Support material" from the Internet is not acceptable. The final 10% will be based on your attendance and participation.

A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=59 or less

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is essential to building fundamental understanding, especially in light of the scope of the subject matter. Therefore, I expect you to attend class regularly and to realize that failure to do so will definitely affect your grade. You are allowed three unexcused absences in the whole semester. Excessive absence may result in your involuntary withdrawal from the course. In addition, you are expected to be in the classroom ready to work at the appointed hour. It is your responsibility to be on time, ready and attentive. Please do not come late to class: this interrupts work already in progress and is very rude to your classmates.

Make-Up Policy: No make-up exams or make-up quizzes will be given unless the student receives an excused absence prior to the examination or provides me with a written medical excuse after the exam

Late Work Policy: You are required to turn in all assignments on the due date. Late work will be penalized 20% a day.

In addition, any work that you turn in must be your own. Plagiarism is when you use the work of others in your writing without making it clear that you are doing so. This applies to directly quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing other’s work without a citation. Cited paraphrases that are substantially direct quotations are not acceptable either. Always summarize the author’s ideas and information in your own words (Jorge H. Gonzalez, Tulane University). In addition, academic dishonesty (cheating on examinations, copying another’s work, trading, selling or purchasing exams, papers, assignments, etc.) will result in an "F" on the particular assignment or an "F" for the entire course. See Student Handbook, p. 64

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: If you have a specific physical or learning disability and require accommodations, please let the instructor know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Support Services Center (DSS), Counseling & Advising Bldg.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are having problems with the readings, the lectures, or just want to discuss further any aspect of the course (from content to class dynamics), I strongly encourage you to see me during office hours or to make an appointment. Please don’t wait until late in the semester to express these concerns.

Week 1 Jan. 23-25 Introduction to the Course

Indigenous American and Spanish Societies at 1492

Week 2 Jan. 29-Feb. 1 Relations of Contact and Conquest

READ: B & L: Chapter 2: "The Age of Conquest", CLA

C: Chapter 1 (on reserve)

Week 3 Feb. 6-8 The Crown and the Cross

Week 4 Feb. 13-15 Indians and Encomenderos, Masters and Slaves

READ: B & L: Chapter 4: "Population and Labor", CLA

Week 5 Feb. 20-22 The Economies of the Spanish Indies & Brazil

READ: B & L: Chapter 6: "Living in an Empire", CLA

READ: B & L: Chapter 7: "Imperial Expansion", CLA

Week 7 Mar. 6-8 Independence and Nation-Building

READ: B & L: Chapter 8: "Crisis and Collapse", CLA

March 8(R) MID-TERM

Week 8 Mar. 12-16 SPRING BREAK

Week 9 Mar. 20-22 Development and Dependency of the New Nations

Week 10 Mar. 27-29 Mexico: From Revolution to Evolution

FILM

Week 11 April 3-5 Central America: The Struggle for Democracy

Week 12 Apr. 10-12 Republican Brazil: The Awakening Giant

Week 13 Apr. 17-19 Cuba: Late Colony, First Socialist State

READ: S & S: Chapter 8

FILM

Week 15 May 1-3 Student Presentations

Final Exam May 8 (T) 12:30-2:30pm