Dr. Joshua B. Rubongoya                                                                                         Fall 2003

Office:  West Hall 119, Ext. 2444                                                                     West Hall 123

Office Hours:  4:00pm – 6:00pm, Mon, Wed, Fri  (or by appointment)                Block 12

E-mail:  Rubongoya@roanoke.edu

 

 

Comparative Political Systems:  Latin America

(POLI 225A)

 

Context:

The size and varied nature of Latin America makes it futile for us to gain thorough knowledge of all the states involved.  We shall in the first part of the course, study the history of the region followed by an examination of some basic theoretical principles.  In the second part of the course we will use these principles to do an in-depth study of eleven case studies, through group presentations and discussions.

 

Objectives:

     a)  Survey the major historical, political, economic and cultural forces that define the

          politics of Latin America.

 

     b)  Focus on case studies, each of which represents a unique form of Latin American

          politics.

 

     c)  Seek informed scientific explanations for Latin America’s place in the international

          system.

 

     d)  Examine the significance of Latin America to the United States and vice versa.

 

We shall view videos and slides on as many countries as possible.  If there is anyone who can afford to financially sponsor a class field trip to Latin America, please let me know!

 

Required Reading:

Wiarda, Howard J. and Kline, Harvey F. (eds.).  Latin American Politics and

     Development, 5th ed., (Boulder, Colorado:  Westview Press, 2000.)  Available for

     purchase in the bookstore.

 

Goodwin, Paul B. Jr. Latin America. 10th ed.  (Global Studies Annual Editions).  Also

     available for purchase in the bookstore.

 

Cuba, Lee.  A Short Guide to Writing about Social Science, 3rd ed., (New York:  Harper

     Collins, 1992)

 

Christian Science Monitor (Available in Fintel Library)

 

Additional required information to be found on reserve in the Fintel Library.

 

Grading:

Short answer exam                               15%

Midterm exam                                      10%

Final exam                                            25%

Seminar presentation (group)                20%

Seminar paper                                      15%

Class/Seminar participation                   15%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

Part I

 

Aug 28             The Context of Latin American Politics             Wiarda, p. 17-32

                          

Sep 2-4            The Pattern of Historical Devt.                         Wiarda, p. 17-32

                        

Sep 9-11          The Acceleration of Modernization                                Wiarda, p. 39-54 (3rd

                                                                                                            edition)

                        

Sep 16-18        Int. Groups & Political Parties                           Wiarda, p. 33-57

                        

Test 1 (Date to be announced)

 

Sep 23-25        Government Machinery, The Role of                             Wiarda, p. 58-79

                        the State & Public Policy

 

Sep 30 – Oct 2            The Struggle for Democracy                                         Wiarda, p. 80-91

                        in Latin America

 

Oct 7-9                        Midterm Exam (Oct 7)                                  Chapter 5 Contd.

 

Oct 14-16        Fall Break

 

Part II

 

Oct 21-23        Seminar I & II

 

Oct 28-30        Seminar III & IV

 

Nov 4-6           Seminar V & VI

 

Nov 11-13       Seminar VII

 

Nov 18-20       Seminar VIII & IX

 

Nov 25                        Seminar X & XI

 

Nov 27                        Thanksgiving

 

Dec 2-4           Seminar/Review

 

Dec 9               Final Exam (2 – 5 pm)

 

 

Comparative Politics:  Latin America (POLI 225A)

Fall, 2003

 

Seminar Presentations:

 

Each seminar will focus on one of eleven specific countries in Latin America.  Each student group will be responsible for researching the country and leading a class discussion.

 

The class will be divided into groups (to be determined 2-3weeks into the semester) of 2 and charged with the assignment of researching:

            a)  The historical background of the assigned country

            b)  How the country’s politics might be understood using the theories we have

                 learned in the course

            c)  The comparative relationship the country has with the U.S. and the rest of the

                 world

 

Pre-presentation group meetings with the Professor are limited to only two (2).  These are student presentations and not regurgitations of the instructors views!

 

Seminar Papers:

 

Each group member will be responsible for submitting a 6-8 page, double spaced, typed paper, due one week after the seminar presentation.  The paper is an individual (not group) project.  It is expected that each paper will integrate comments and suggestions from the group presentation together with further research.  (Academic integrity rules will be strictly observed).

 

Each group is charged with a 45 minute presentation.  The parameters of the presentations are outlined in your syllabus.  More specifically your presentation (and for the most part your paper) will be graded on the following criteria:

 

             1.  A well defined thesis (within the context of “your country”)

            2.  Thoughtful application of the course material, i.e.  theoretical principles, cases,

                  video clips, etc. in the analysis of “your country”.

            3.  Organization of the paper/presentation.

            4.  Grammar, spelling and proper citation.

 

Non-presenting class members are expected to read the appropriate chapter in the text and any other source, write a one-page (single spaced) summary of the chapter (to be submitted at the beginning of the seminar session) and to contribute to class discussion following the 45 minute presentation.  One page summaries will not be returned but will be used to determine seminar participation grades.  Oral participation during these seminars will count toward 15% of your final grade. 

 

Four points will be deducted for each day the completed paper (plus all material required for submission) is overdue.  No paper will be accepted 2 days after the due date.  All materials are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated.  Papers not handed in at the beginning of class will be considered late.  Computer related excuses will not be entertained!

 

Research notes, and drafts must be used and submitted (these will be returned).  The completed seminar paper AND one good copy must be submitted.  The graded original with comments will be returned.  The instructor may require that poorly researched or written papers be re-written prior to the assignment of a paper and course grade.  Handwritten papers are not acceptable and all papers must include textnotes and a bibliography following the format indicated in the “Guidelines for Research Papers” (attached).  All work must be original for this course.  Failure to utilize proper citation and quotation procedures (use Cuba as the guide) and/or failure to meet any of the above mentioned requirements constitutes a violation of academic integrity.  Students are expected to be aware of and to review the contents of the College Academic Integrity Handbook.

 

Consult the instructor if there are any questions regarding the research for or writing of the paper.  If you are not in the habit of writing drafts, begin to do so.  PC users should print hard copies and retain disks which may be requested by instructor if necessary.  Computer gimmicks like enlarged marginalization or font-size reduction will adversely affect your paper grade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall 2003

 

COMPARATIVE POLITICAL SYSTEMS:  LATIN AMERICA (POLI 225A)

 

SEMINAR GROUPS/PRESENTATION DATES/COUNTRIES

 

GROUP                                              DATE                                                 COUNTRY

 

A.

                                                            10/21                                       Columbia

 

B.

                                                            10/23                                       Argentina

 

C.

                                                            10/28                                       Costa Rica

 

D.

                                                            10/30                                       Cuba

 

E.

                                                            11/4                                         Nicaragua

 

F.

                                                            11/6                                         Haiti

 

G.

                                                            11/11                                       Peru

 

H.

                                                            11/13                                       Chile

 

I.         

                                                            11/18                                       Bolivia

 

J.

                                                            11/20                                       Mexico

 

K.

                                                            11/25                                       Brazil

 

L.

                                                            12/2                                         Venezuela

 

M.

                                                            12/4                                         Jamaica