Comparative Studies 3810
Introduction to Latin American Studies
Dr. Vicki McCard
Fall 2009

Prerequisite: SPAN 2001, SPAN 2002 or departmental permission.

Catalog Description: An interdisciplinary course that considers Latin America and its relationship with the United States from both grassroots and elite perspectives. A reading of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude accompanies an examination of the region’s significant socio-political, economic and historical events. Taught in English.

Objective: To increase the student’s knowledge of Latin American (and Latino) history, economics, politics, literature and culture.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1) Locate Latin American countries and their capitals on map.
2) Discuss major events of Latin American history.
3) Discuss socioeconomic and ethnic composition and history of Latin America
4) Discuss the history of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
5) Discuss the literary portrayal of Latino culture in the U.S. in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
6) Discuss the literary portrayal of Latin American political and economic history in One Hundred Years of Solitude.
7) Discuss the historical, socio-economic, and political position of women and other minorities in Latin America.
8) Discuss the portrayal of Latin American society and politics in Latin American cinema.

Methods of Instruction: Lectures, films, class discussion, internet research.

Required Texts:
Swanson, Philip, ed. The Companion to Latin American Studies. London: Arnold, 2003.

García Márquez, Gabriel. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Trans.Gregory Rabassa. New York:
     Perennial Classics, 1998.

Díaz, Junot.  The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. New York: Riverhead, 2007.

Evaluation:
Attendance and participation in class discussion………………….…10%
Homework and daily quizzes..............…………………………...…20%
Written midterm examination ……………………………………….20%
Written final examination: Thursday, Dec. 3rd, 3:30-5:30...... ..……....25%
Viewer-response critiques………………………………..………….25%

General Expectations:
Excessive absences will lower the participation grade. If a student's absences exceed four, s/he runs the risk of being dropped from the course with the grade of WF.

Students are expected to complete each day’s reading and viewing assignments before coming to class.

No make-ups are given for missed daily quizzes. Depending on the total number given, the lowest one or two grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Make-ups will be given for the midterm and final exams only with a documented excuse approved by the Dean of Arts and Letters.

Students must watch 6 feature films in this course. All are available for viewing in the Language Lab in 317 Dunlap Hall during its normal operating hours (M-Th 8-8; and F 8-4).  They may also be obtained from online rental sources (Netflix has all of them). A viewer-response critique must be written on each film and turned in on the date the film is discussed in class. A letter grade will be deducted for each day of tardiness. One or two double-spaced typed pages should be sufficient to address the following essential questions:
1) What did you take away (learn) from this viewing experience?  Does the film confirm or
     challenge any preconceived notions you had on its subject matter, or was it a completely new
     viewing experience for you? 
2) What is the filmmaker attempting to communicate to the viewer?
3) How does the content of the film tie in with or illustrate the reading assignment in CLAS that
    precedes it?
Please include specific evidence/examples to support each answer.

The student is responsible for reading and following the guidelines of the Academic Integrity Policy (2008-2010 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 90). Violations of this policy will result in a zero for the assignment in question and the possibility of additional disciplinary action at the institutional level. 

The professor reserves the right to require electronic copies of viewer-response critiques so that they can be submitted to Turnitin.com.

Please silence cell phones before entering the classroom.

Please do not leave and return to class.

Additional Information:

NGCSU is committed to equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. If you need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice must be given to the instructor and the Office of Student Disability Resources, 221 Barnes Hall, 867-2782.

My office is 310 Dunlap Hall. My telephone number is 864-1965.
My e-mail address is vmccard@ngcsu.edu.

My office hours are 15:30-17:00 (MW), 14:20-15:50 (TR) and by appt.

Course Calendar

CLAS = Companion to Latin American Studies        HYS = One Hundred Years of Solitude       OW= The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

PLEASE BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS OR BE QUIZZED ON EACH READING OR FILM ON THE DATE IT IS LISTED IN THE CALENDAR