Rutgers University
Latin American Studies 101 - Winter 2011
Course time/location:
Scott Hall 101
Mon-Friday 1 – 4 pm December 23, December 27-30, 2010 January 3-14, 2011.
Professor contact information is on the contact sheet handed out in class.
This class is very different from the class you might take in a regular semester, but I am completely committed to exposing you, the student, to as wide a variety of ideas and challenges as you might see in a regular semester. There is only one way to fulfill this goal; I will expect you to make a sincere and consistent effort to keep up with every day’s homework. This emphasis is reflected in the grade distribution.
I will be available to you every day through various channels (see above). This class blog is a great place to start, because I will check it often, and many of your questions/comments are probably relevant to your classmates. I will also be checking my e-mail accounts. Perhaps the most important priority in a course that squeezes one semester into three weeks, is that we simply can’t fall behind. Each meeting counts, and I don’t say that just rhetorically; it actually counts toward your grade, as you’ll see in the “grade distribution section.”
Required Texts:
Most additional texts will be provided through this blog, either as posts or as links.
Reading Packet (photocopies), henceforth RP.
*Assignments:
Readings are assigned in advance for almost every class day. Each reading has accompanying questions, which serve as the basis for the quizzes and homework. However, do NOT limit yourself to simply answering the questions because the readings are the backbone of the entire class. In fact, each class will begin with a student discussion of the readings which the professor will record. As far as possible, your professor will remain on the sidelines as the students initiate the discussion, pose questions and hypothesize about what they’ve read. You, as a student, have a responsibility to keep up with the readings, and this is reflected in the grade distribution which places emphasis on daily participation in discussion and class work.
Quiz: Many class days begin with a short quiz on the reading. The quiz will be taken directly from the questions that accompany each reading. You may use your notes, although not your reading, to answer these short quizzes. Unexcused absences or tardies will mean a zero in the quiz for that day. Quizzes for excused absences should be made up (students are responsible for making sure this make-up quiz is scheduled).
Homework: For every reading that has questions included, students will turn in a short (one paragraph) typed answer to one of the questions. Please don't choose a question that needs only a one sentence answer unless you have some relevant connection you would like to add to the answer. This homework should be turned in as you come into class, or via e-mail before class. Homework that is not turned in on time (before class, or as class begins) is accepted for a maximum grade of 70%.
Paper/Presentation: Because the time is so limited, I’m not assigning a research paper that will require students to invest a lot of time outside of class. Instead, we’ll use this combined paper/presentation assignment to explore culture in Latin America. As a starting point, we’ll listen to an NPR show on Latin music during our first class ( www.NPR...... ) each student should chose an artist or a particular work and write a short paper (3 pages) in which the artist or the work is discussed in terms of how it relates to broader themes of Latin America. That is, for example, what events in this artist’s life or in history, may have shaped his/her work. This is NOT supposed to be a biography of an artist, but rather a consideration of art or popular culture, if you prefer, within a broader context. This will be discussed further in class. (Note that the paper is not accepted if the student has not returned the plagiarism contract on the blog).
*Participation:
The rest of the syllabus should have given you an idea of why this category is so important in relationship to normal semester classes. Basically, I want to see evidence that the students are truly engaged throughout these short three weeks. I’ll be tape-recording your discussions, and looking, in diverse ways, to see whether you have kept up with the reading and thought about what you are learning. If you don’t understand the broader point of any reading, it is up to you to ask questions. If you care to challenge the points in a reading, I welcome thoughtful debate. What I would love to see in your daily class work are questions or comments which tie different readings/movies/lectures together; in other words, students should demonstrate that they are working consistently to understand and process all the class input.*Attendance:
It goes without saying that absences will affect your grade; they will result in a 0 in participation as well as the quiz for the day. Tardy arrivals will mean you have missed the quiz; you can do a make up quiz, for partial points, by staying after class. You can still receive full credit for your homework, if it is turned in via e-mail before class begins.
Excused absences will allow me to schedule a make-up quiz for you and excuse the class participation grade for the day. Keep in mind that only a doctor's note or equivalent documentation can allow a student's absence be considered excused. The professor may ask for additional documentation or steps to excuse an absence.
*Final exam:
By January 6, the students will have the final exam questions, approximately 6 essay questions which might appear on the final. This exam has several parts. First, on January 11, we’ll do a practice essay. Students will take about 45 minutes in class to write on any one of the exam questions (each student chooses his question). The professor will return this practice exam the following day with extensive comments so that the students have a better idea of what will be expected of them on the final.
The final exam will take place on the last day of class. The practice exam grade will count as 10 points (10%). There will be a Map Section, 15 points, and finally two essays from the list of 6 essay questions, 75 points.
*Work folder
Save all of your homework and quizzes. This "folder" of your class work must be brought to the final exam. (The professor will look this over as you take your final exams; it will be returned as you finish your exam.)
Distribution of grades:
Quiz grade: 5%
Homework grade: 10%
Daily Participation Grade: 45%
Paper/presentation Grade: 15%
Final exam: 25%
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WEATHER EMERGENCY POLICY:
In the unlikely event that Rutgers closes the campus due to severe weather at any point in the Winter Session (this has happened only once in the history of Winter Session on this campus), a notice will be posted to the Rutgers website (rutgers.edu) and the New Brunswick campus website (nb.rutgers.edu). In addition, we will e-mail an alert to faculty members and students for whom we have e-mail addresses.What will this type of closing mean for LAS 101 students? If a snow day is called, I will post on this blog an expanded homework assignment which will be due before the next regularly scheduled class (either by e-mail or printed and turned in when you get to class).
If I have any trouble communicating with you, you can assume that the expanded homework involves writing out the answers to ALL the questions on your reading assigned for the canceled class.
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Calendar of classes
December 23 (Thursday)
class 1 INTRODUCTION
In class:
* Spanish-Indigenous Encounters. Excerpts from two movies:
* Spanish-Indigenous Encounters. Excerpts from two movies:
Aguirre: La Ira de Dios and The Mission.
* Latin American music for beginners
The work we do in class today is very important to the rest of the course and this is the only class meeting which students will be able to (and expected to) make-up. Student is responsible for making sure this extra class is scheduled with me.
The work we do in class today is very important to the rest of the course and this is the only class meeting which students will be able to (and expected to) make-up. Student is responsible for making sure this extra class is scheduled with me.
December 27 (Monday)
class 2 Spain meets America
Reading:
--Ramirez, "Institutions of the Spanish American Empire" (Dec. 17 Blog post)
--Olander, "Companion Reading for The Mission" (RP p. 5-9 and Dec. 24 Blog post)
--Maps and Charts: RP p. 2-4
Homework due before class = 1 paragraph on a question from the reading.
Have you ordered the book yet? (The Lost City of Z ) OJO: book can be purchased at Barnes and Noble or a number of local bookstores. Also available as a download through the Barnes and Noble e-reader "nook".
December 28 (Tuesday)
class 3 America gets to know the Spanish
Reading:
--Connell, "Because I was Drunk and the Devil Tricked Me." (Dec 21 Blog post)
--Connell, "Because I was Drunk and the Devil Tricked Me." (Dec 21 Blog post)
--Maps: Pre-Colombian Latin America (RP p. 10)
Homework due before class = 1 paragraph on a question from the reading
December 29 (Wednesday)
class 4
Reading:
-- Patch, "Indian Resistance to Colonialism" (RP p. 12 - 21 ) Note: the questions for this reading are Blog post (Dec. 26).
-- Crow, "Trade Monopoly and Pirates." (Dec 22 Blog post - see also Map in RP p. 11)
Homework due before class = 1 paragraph on a question from Patch. Briefly answer in writing two questions from the Crow reading . Be prepared to discuss both readings in class; the daily quiz will come from the Patch reading.
December 30 (Thursday)
class 5 Archaeology, Anthropology and Latin America
Reading:
--Archeology, Anthropology, Science and our understanding of pre-Colombian America (Dec. 18 Blog post - read all four articles)
--Archeology, Anthropology, Science and our understanding of pre-Colombian America (Dec. 18 Blog post - read all four articles)
I hope you have a copy of The Lost City of Z. The reading is due for Monday's class.
Homework due before class = 1 paragraph on a question from the reading
January 3 (Monday) High Civilization in the Amazon
class 6
Reading:
--David Grann, The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, p.4-5, 19-29, 54-65, 80-100, 107-12.
--David Grann, The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, p.4-5, 19-29, 54-65, 80-100, 107-12.
Homework due before class = written paragraph on presentation/paper with your preliminary bibliography.
There will be a quiz on The Lost City of Z, but if you read pages assigned and take a few notes - you'll be fine. Prepare to discuss book in class, please.
January 4 (Tuesday)
class 7
Reading:
--The Lost City of Z, p. 280-319 (end of book).
--The Lost City of Z, p. 280-319 (end of book).
January 5 (Wednesday)
class 8 Guano, Silver, Coca - Why is Bolivia still poor?
Reading:
-- Bolivia (RP, p. 22 - 32)
Homework: due before class= 1 paragraph on a question from the reading
In class: Movie Our Brand is Crisis (long excerpt)
January 6 (Thursday)
class 9
class 9
Reading:
--Catherine Allen, "To Be Quechua." See questions for article with instructions to find the article. Blog post
--Catherine Allen, "To Be Quechua." See questions for article with instructions to find the article. Blog post
Homework due before class= 1 paragraph on a question from the reading
In class:
Final exam questions handed out and discussed in class.
Movie: Cocalero (long excerpt)
January 7 (Friday)
class 10
Reading:
--Keep investigating your own presentation sources.
--Each of you should bring a newspaper article on Bolivia (or the Andean countries) and talk about it to the class for 5 minutes. How does it relate to what we have learned about the region?
Homework due before class= commentary on movies, "Our Brand is Crisis" and "Cocalero"
Explanation of assignment: After viewing both these movies in class this week, please reflect on how they shed light on the current situation in Bolivia. Did the information in one movie make you doubt something you saw in the other movie (or in the readings)? Or perhaps you did not understand something as it was presented in one movie, until you saw or read something in another source? The content is absolutely open as long as you use what you saw in one movie to reflect upon the other movie (or the readings). Length of this assignment is about 1 page.
Homework due on Saturday January 8 (any time before 10pm)= Turn in a one paragraph update on your paper/presentation with the bibliography you have found so far.
January 10 (Monday)
class 11 Why Latin Americans love to hate the US?
Reading:
--Winn, Chapter 12, RP
I changed this reading for something shorter. You will read a case study for U.S. relations with a Latin American country "Nicaragua". (Blog post Jan. 7) The Homework due is, as usual, answer thoughtfully in writing one of the questions from the article. Be prepared for the quiz and for the discussion on the rest of the questions.
January 11 (Tuesday)
class 12 Hugo Chavez, Bolivar reincarnate?
Reading:
-- articles on Hugo Chavez (e-mail attachment). Read source #1 (timeline) and source #2, Francisco Toro, from this packet. Questions in the packet and on blog post Jan. 11).
Homework due before class = 1 paragraph on a question from the reading.
In class:
PRACTICE FINAL EXAM (final 45 minutes of class are spent writing an essay from our final exam questions. Students are allowed to choose any question.)
If anyone would like to volunteer to do a presentation... I will be happy to make time for this!
BRING your paper/presentation sources to class. I will spend some time looking at students' sources during the practice exam.
BRING your paper/presentation sources to class. I will spend some time looking at students' sources during the practice exam.
January 12 (Wednesday)
class 13
Reading:
--Source #3 in the Hugo Chavez packet, Rosenburg. (questions on blog post Jan. 11).
In class:
PRESENTATIONS
I'll return the practice final exam and we'll discuss expectations for final exam
January 13 (Thursday)
class 14
Reading:
-- source #5 in the Hugo Chavez Packet, Shifter. (questions on blog post Jan 11).
In class:
Presentations
January 14
class 15
FINAL EXAM (Two hours)
The first part of the class is for presentations and then student questions. You should also have your folder with any work that you turned in and received from me in class. (If you didn't print out work that I returned from you via e-mail - don't worry - just work returned to you on paper).
You must turn in a solid rough draft of your paper when you get to class, but I'll accept the final draft of the paper without penalties until 10 pm tonight (e-mail) if you want to do one final proofreading and rethinking after today's exam. If you don't have a strong rough draft to turn in by the beginning of our final class, I will deduct 10 points from your paper.The first part of the class is for presentations and then student questions. You should also have your folder with any work that you turned in and received from me in class. (If you didn't print out work that I returned from you via e-mail - don't worry - just work returned to you on paper).
