Syllabus, LAH 2020:

Introduction to Latin American History

Fall: Aug 24-Dec 11, 2015
U07 #90951
Class Meetings: Monday, Wednesday, (Fridays optional), 2:00-2:50 pm
Ryder Business, 120
Instructor: Joseph Holbrook, PhD, GL150
jholb001@fiu.edu
TAs,

Sandra Londoo, Thursdays at 2 pm in DM392, slond022@fiu.edu (use blackboard first)

Gloria Lopera, Fridays at 3 pm in DM392, glope161@fiu.edu (use blackboard first)

Phone: 305-348-2328
M-W, 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. or by appointment.
Twitter: @REL_FIU
Dedicated class blog: http://josenmiamihistory.blogspot.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQvOQW2aM_zBbJH4VekS330EBwbRcMCd

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course offers an overview of the Latin American history from the Pre-Columbus times to the twentieth century. The
course is intended to provide students with a knowledge of the region, emphasizing its diversity, complexity, and vital
culture. Latin America, a term created in the nineteenth century, refers to a vast region from Mexico to Chile, including
not only Spanish-speaking countries but Portuguese-speaking ones like Brazil. This course examines the trajectory of
those countries by dealing with their political, cultural, social and economic issues. Particular emphasis will be given to
the most significant events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Latin America is a region of mixed population of
Amerindian, African, European, and Asian descent, whose diversity has created a multifaceted society.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Understand the history of the region in the context of the social, political, economic, and cultural
experiences that have contributed to the development of Latin America.
2. Become familiar with the multiple ethnic backgrounds of the peoples of contemporary Latin America.
3. Provide a basis for presenting the major social, economic and political developments that went into shaping the
Latin American experience, starting with European, African and Amerindian antecedents to contact and ending
with the late twentieth century
4. Understand connections between economic and political dimensions and their effects on regional societies
5. Present the nature of leadership and governance as a particular historical problem.

LEARNING OUTCOMES. Students will

Express orally and in writing the complexity of within-group and inter-group social interactions in the context of
multi-racial societies

Express orally and in writing the contextualized nature of social and cultural concepts, law and its implementation,
and common practices of different social and ethnic groups within the temporal and spatial settings of the
historical actors as distinct from present-day values
Express orally and in writing the complex processes involved in nation-building and the challenging nature of
political legitimacy over the course of time.

Please note that we will use Blackboard in this course. In addition to the required textbook, certain PDFs may be made
available on Blackboard as indicated below in the class schedule. Paper assignments will be available on Blackboard, and
you will also submit your papers through corresponding links to Turnitin.com. If you need help or training on how to use
Blackboard, visit this link http://online.fiu.edu/. Please make sure that you are comfortable with using Blackboard from
the beginning of the class so you have full access to course content and assignments.

Gordon Rule Writing Component:

As this is a Gordon Rule course, students will be required to write a minimum of three types of writing assignments.
1) There will be four online film discussions of a minimum of 300 words and one reply of 50 words or 3 complete
sentences regarding one of several question prompts from the chapter readings of that week or the historical film
for that month. A total of 4 online discussions of 300 words each will result in 1200 words of online discussion by
the end of the course. Forum discussions will be graded (80%) on length, content, grammar and punctuation.
Another 20% of the grade will be for a REPLY of a minimum of 50 words or 3 complete sentences to another
students post. The 300-word forum discussions are due every Sunday night by midnight.
The films that we will discuss are The Mission (1986 with Robert De Niro), Camila (1984), Evita, the woman
behind the myth (1996), and Romero (1989 with Raul Julia). Plagiarism will not be tolerated under any
circumstances! The four film discussions will constitute 16 percent of the final grade.
The film discussions will be graded based on the following rubric:

(20%) REVIEW: Give a summary or review of the movie: who? what? when? where?
(20%) REACTION: Give your critical reaction to the film.
(20%) RELEVANCE: Discuss what aspects of religious study or elements of religion are illustrated by the
movie? How did the film illustrate the relationship between the Jesuits and the tribal people? What role did
European politics play? Did the missionaries do more good? Or harm to the Native Americans? Back up

your argument with examples.

(20%) proof READ: Do not forget to proof read your post for grammar, punctuation and verb agreement.

Use the spell checker!

(20%) REPLY -IMPORTANT!!!- Please do not forget to leave a reply (or replies) of at least 50 words or 3
complete sentences to several other student's posts for 40% of the credit for the assignment.

2) Two major essay papers will be required of regarding a topic that will presented in class. The essays, along with a
revision, will constitute 30 percent of the final grade. The papers should be 3 or 4 pages double-spaced, or from
1,000 to 1,200 words in length and submitted through Blackboard (no written assignments will be accepted or
graded through email.
The essay must be written with a thesis statement and supported with evidence.
Writing should demonstrate knowledge and awareness of standard written English.
The Essay should draw evidence from primary sources, secondary sources, and class lectures.

 All source material must be cited correctly using MLA or Chicago Style and long quotes should be avoided. Please
be aware that papers with an originality score of over 35% similarity will be subject to additional scrutiny and may
incur additional penalties, up to and including receiving an F (0 points).

Required Readings:
These books are available at the FIU Bookstore. They are also available through online bookstores. We will try to put
them on reserve at the FIU Green Library.
Required: Cheryl Martin and Mark Wasserman, Latin America and Its People, Combined Volume, 3rd edition, (New
York, Pearson Longman, 2008), ISBN: 978-0205520534.
Suggested Readings and Films:
Azuela, Mariano. The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution. New York: Penguin Books, 2008.
Bernal del Castillo. A True History of the Conquest of New Spain. Trans Ted Humphrey and Janet Burke.
Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co., 2011.
Brenner, Anita. The Wind That Swept Mexico: The History of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1942, 1995.
Fraser, Nicholas, and Marysa Navarro. Evita: The Real Life of Eva Pern. New York: W. W. Norton &
Company, 1996.
Gliejeses, Piero. Shattered Hope : The Guatemalan Revolution and the United States, 1944-1954.
Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1991.
Hector Galan, Paul Espinosa. The Hunt for Pancho Villa. Alexandria, Va.: PBS Video, 1993.
Hellman, Judith Adler. Mexican Lives, 1995.
Klotzel, Andr. Memorias Postumas. Brazil, 2001.
Las Casas, Bartolome de. A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies. London: Penguin, 2004.
Susana Muoz, Lourdes Portillo. Las Madres: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. VHS format. New York,
NY: Women Make Movies, 1996.
Timerman, Jacob. Prisoner Without a Cell, Without a Number. New York: Penguin Books, 2008.
Townsend, Camila. Malintzins Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico (Dialogos.
Albuquerque, N.M.: University of New Mexico Press, 1995.

Assignments & Expectations:

Participation (10% of the overall final grade): Class attendance is mandatory for this course. We expect informed and
thoughtful participation in our discussions. Assigned reading should be completed prior to the date of the corresponding
discussion. Active participation is more than mere attendance and is obligatory for passing this class. Students will be
graded on participation during every discussion session. 3 points are awarded for attendance and participation in each
class session for a total of 50 points (10% of the final grade). Points will be deducted for absences, arriving late, leaving
early or for the failure to speak-up and participate in class discussions (shyness is not an excuse). Ten or more absences
will result in a zero for the participation portion of the grade.
Group Presentation (10% of the overall final grade): In the Friday section groups, students will give one group
presentation (5 minutes per person in the group) on a topic related to course readings. Guidelines will be given in class for
the presentation on some portion of the course text or some theme from the course. Be creative and informative! The
presentation will be worth 95 points and represents 10 percent of the final grade. Students and groups are responsible for
signing up for presentation slots. If a student cannot attend of the day of the scheduled presentation, He or she may
arrange with another student to switch slots, but please inform the instructor by email of changes to the schedule. If a
student misses his/her presentation slot and there is no other available slot, the student will receive 0 points for the
presentation.

Three out of four online film discussions (10 points each): Every month, students will submit a film discussion of a
minimum of 300 words and one reply of a minimum 50 words or 3 complete sentences. Each post should cover 4 areas: 1)
a review of the film, 2) your reaction to the film, and 3) some observations about the historical relevance of the film, and
there should also be a reply to another students post. Points will be deducted if one of these 4 parts is missing, if the post
is less than the minimum 300 words, for sloppy writing including errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation or if the
student neglects to leave a reply to another student or the reply is less than the minimum.
Twelve out of Fifteen online chapter quizzes (10 points each): Every week, there will be a 10 question, multiple-choice
and true/false quiz based on the chapter readings from the previous week. The total number of points for the quizzes will
be 120 (12 out of 15 quizzes) and represents 20 percent of the final grade. Some late quizzes or makes up will be allowed
with a valid excuse but the professor reserves the right to deduct 10 percent of the grade for tardiness. In some cases,
students who fail a chapter quiz may be allowed a second attempt but not more than twice during the semester.
Midterm and Final Exams (20% of the final grade, 100 points each): There will be midterm and final exams, each
covering half of the course. The exams will composed of 80 multiple choice and true/false questions based upon the quiz
questions. will be counted toward the final grade. The quizzes and the midterm and final exams will all be based on the
textbook readings. Students are encouraged purchase the book and read.
Two Essays and one revision (10% each of the final grade, 100 points): There will be two comparative essays focusing on
Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish America; one from the colonial period of empires, and the second from the national
period after Independence. The essays will submitted through Blackboard. The first will be due on October 14 at
midnight. Late submissions will be refused or have points deducted with a valid, documented excuse. On November 11,
opportunity will be given for those students receiving a B or less to review the editorial corrections and to submit a
revised draft. On November 25, the second essay will be due (no option for revisions). Those students who document a
visit to the history tutors will be given a one week extension to submit their 2nd essay.

COURSE POLICIES
Late Policy:
All writing assignments are due via Blackboard on the date indicated. The professor is not obligated to accept late
assignments although he may, at his discretion, if there are valid circumstances or illness. Late assignments will be
penalized by 10 percent if they are less than a week, and by 50 percent if they are more than a week. No exceptions.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism, or attempting to pass off another's work as your own, falls into three different categories:
1. A written work that is entirely stolen from another source;
2. Using quotations from another source without properly citing them; and
3. Paraphrasing or using ideas from another source without proper citations.
Students are expected to understand the definition of plagiarism. See the University Code of Academic Integrity at
http://www.fiu.edu/~oabp/misconductweb/2codeofacainteg.htm if you need further clarification. Offenders will receive a grade
of F (0 points) for the plagiarized assignment, and possibly for the course. Please be aware: Previously submitted
papers are not allowed, even if it is your own work and even if you are retaking this class. You may not reuse papers.
All assignments submitted for the course must be the sole creation of the student in accordance with the FIU Standards of
Student Conduct http://www2.fiu.edu/~sccr/student_conduct_p.html.

Writing Resources:
FIU has a writing center to help students improve their writing. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of this
resource -- all of us have room to grow with our writing. Visit http://writingcenter.fiu.edu.
Disabilities:
If you have a disability-related need for modifications or accommodations, please contact and register with the Disability
Resource Center 305-348-3532, GC 190 and http://drc.fiu.edu/.
Electronic Devices:
Out of respect for your professors and the other students in the course, we ask that cell phones and other wireless devices
be turned off during class. Texting during class is disrespectful and disruptive. We expect laptop computers to be used for
the purpose of taking notes or course related research, not for playing Facebook. Students breaking this policy will be
asked to leave the class.
Extra credits:
Extra credits may only account for a maximum 3 percent of the final grade. Each approved extra credit project submitted
will equal one percent of the final grade: three extra credit projects will give a total of three percent of the final grade. All
extra credits must be submitted in the proper drop box in Module 4 by no later than Nov. 30th. Work submitted after that
for extra credit will be disregarded.
Extra Credit Options:
Follow the class twitter account, @LA_History_FIU for one extra credit.
Post at least 10 comments (of any length) on the class history blog (http://josenmiamihistory.blogspot.com) for
one more extra credit.
Review an approved book, film or documentary about Latin America and write a five- paragraph reaction paper
describing the themes of Latin American history illustrated by the story or event. The 5 paragraph paper should
cover 3 points: 1) A brief review, 2) your personal reaction to the film or documentary; and 3) historical relevance:
how the film relates to themes discussed in class and from the textbook. The film or documentary selection must
be approved by the instructor. The extra credit paper is worth an extra one percent (no more than 3 percentage
points) on the final grade. Extra credits and approved make-ups are due no later than Dec. 4th.

Attendance and Participation

Attendance and Participation together are worth 50 points or 10% of the final grade. Two points are given for attendance
if the student comes on time and stays through the entire class. One additional point is given if the student speaks up in
class. Only one point is given if a student shows up late or leaves early. Students are expected to attend every class,
arrive promptly and stay for the duration of the class. Students with ten or more absences will receive 0 points for
attendance. Please inform the instructor immediately if a situation develops which will impact your performance or
attendance. Participation includes reading for class, contributing to discussions and being attentive to lectures and
student presentations. Please refrain from texting and emailing in class. Arriving late, leaving early or stepping out of the
class for long periods of time may incur an absence penalty. It is the students responsibility to inform the professor of
their presence if they arrive after the roster is read.

GRADING
COURSE REQUIREMENTS

POINTS

PERCENTAGE
OF FINAL GRADE

3 out of 4 online film discussions (each = 10 points)

30

10%

12 out of 15 online Chapter Quizzes (each = 10 points)

120

10%

Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-8; Due on Oct. 21).

100

15%

Final Exam (Cumulative - Due on Dec. 9).

100

15%

First Essay, Colonial period (due on Oct. 14th)

50

10%

Revision (due on Nov. 11th)

50

10%

Second Essay, National period (due on Nov. 25)

50

10%

Group presentation (optional: can be submitted on video)

50

10%

Class participation

50

10%

Total

600

100%

LETTER
GRADE

RANGE

LETTER
GRADE

RANGE

LETTER
GRADE

RANGE

93 100

B-

80 82

D+

67 - 69

A-

90 92

C+

77 79

63 - 66

B+

87 89

73 76

D-

60 - 62

83 86

C-

70 72

< 60

COURSE CALENDAR
MODULE 1
Week 1 (August 24-28)
Aug. 24 Introduction to Syllabus and organize groups.
Aug. 26 Chapter 1 - First Peoples of the Americas *Syllabus quiz
Aug. 28

Film: The Mission, (Library, Amazon Instant view, $2.99)

*Quiz 1 due

Week 2 (August 31-September 4)

Aug. 31 Chapter 2 - Americans and Iberians on the Eve of Contact
Sept. 2 Chapter 2 - Continued
Sept. 4

Film: The Mission, part 2

*Quiz 2 due

Week 3 (Sept. 8-10)

Sept. 7 LABOR DAY
Sept. 9 Chapter 3 - European Conquest of America

Film: The Mission, part 3

Film discussion The Mission due Wednesday, Sept. 9 at midnight
Sept. 11

*Quiz 3 due

MODULE 2
Week 4 (Sept. 14-18)
Sept. 14 - Chapter 4 - The Iberians New World
Sept. 16 Chapter

4 continued

Sept. 18 Office hours/no class

*Quiz 4

Week 5 (Sept. 21-25)

Sept. 21 - Chapter 5 - The Amerindians Changing World
Sept. 23 Chapter 5 discussion
Sept. 25

Film: Camila (YouTube (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBWmHtVUCZU

*Quiz 5

Week 6 (Sept. 28-Oct.2)

Sept. 288 - Chapter 6 - A New People and Their World
Sept. 30 - Chapter 6 - discussion
Oct. 2 Part

2 Film: Camila

*Quiz 6

Week 7 (Oct. 5-9)

Oct. 5 - Chapter 7 - The Shifting Fortunes of Colonial Empires
Oct. 7 PBS:Toussaint Louverture https://youtu.be/IOGVgQYX6SU

Oct. 9 -

Film discussion Camila due Wednesday at midnight, October 7

*Quiz 7

MODULE 3
Week 8 (Oct. 12-16)
Oct. 12 - Chapter 8 - The New Nations of Latin America
Oct. 14 First ESSAY - Blackboard (1,000-words) The transatlantic move of the Portuguese Empire and
Independence of Brazil
Oct. 16 Office hours/Group presentations
*Quiz 8

Week 9 (Oct. 19-23)

Oct. 19 - Chapter 9 - Regionalism, War: 1821 1880
Oct. 21 9.1 Cuban 10 Years War of Independence *Midterm, due Oct. 21
Oct. 23 Office hours/Group presentations
*Quiz 9

Week 10 (Oct. 26-30)

Oct. 26 - Chapter 10 - Everyday Life: 1821 1880
Oct. 28 - (10.1 The Brazilian Empire) discussion/group presentations
Oct. 30

Film: Evita, the woman behind the myth (1996)

*Quiz 10

Week 11 (Nov. 2-6)

Nov. 2 - Chapter 11 - Economic Modernization: 1880 1920
Nov. 4 11. The Mexican Revolution, 1904 1928/Group Presentations
Nov. 6 *Evita

film discussion due Wednesday, Nov. 4

*Quiz 11

MODULE 4
Week 12 (Nov. 9-13)
Nov. 9 - Chapter 12 - Between Revolutions: Politics of Class 1920 1959
Nov. 11 12.1 The Brazilian Republic 1889-1930/ Revolution 1930 to 1950s *Essay revision due Wednesday at
midnight Nov. 11
Nov. 13

Film: ROMERO part 1

*Quiz 12

Week 13 (Nov. 16-20)

Nov. 16 - Chapter 13 - People and Progress: 1910 1959
Nov. 18 13.1 The Cuban Revolutions discussion/group presentations
Nov. 20

* Quiz 13

Film: ROMERO part 2

Week 14 (Nov. 23-27)

Nov. 23 - Chapter 14 Revolution, Reaction and Democracy in the new global economy, after 1959
Nov. 25 discussion/group presentations *2nd ESSAY - Blackboard (1,000-words)
Nov. 27 - THANKSGIVING
THANKSGIVING BREAK

* Quiz 14
Week 15 (Nov. 30 DEC. 4)
(Nov. 30: All extra credits are due).
Nov. 30 Chapter 15 - Everyday Life: 1959 to the Present
Dec. 2 discussion/group presentations

Film: ROMERO discussion due at midnight Wednesday, December 2

Dec. 4 LAST CLASS, REVIEW/ group presentations

* Quiz 15
Week 16 (DEC. 7 - 12)
Dec. 7 12 FINAL EXAM ONLINE
*FINAL EXAM
December 9, online: 80 questions, comprehensive.
*ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE-UP WORK OR EXTRA CREDITS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MIDNIGHT ON Dec. 4st
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!