Fall 2008 LAH 2020 Sections 01, 03, 04, and 05-1

Florida International University
Department of History
Fall 2008
LAH 2020 Latin American Civilization
W-F 10:00 – 10:50 AM – Sections U01, U03, U04, & U05 – RDB 1100
Emma M. Sordo, PhD Office DM 391B

Phone 305 - 348-7284 Office Hours: M/W - 2:00-3:00 PM
E-mail: sordoe@fiu.edu and by Appointment
Teaching Assistants: Office DM 392 and DM 370

Sitela Alvarez – E-mail: salva005@fiu.edu – U04 M 10:00-10:50 AM – CP 111
Office hours: M & W, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Albert Hernandez - E-mail: ahern093@fiu.edu – U05 M 11:00-11:50 AM – CP 111
Office hours: M 10:00-10:50 AM, W 9:00-9:50 AM
Ashley Mateiro – E-mail: amate002@fiu.edu - U03 M 10:00-10:50 AM – GC 279A
Office hours: M & W, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Adam Silvia – E-mail: asilv012@fiu.edu -U01 M 9:00-9:50 AM – GC 279A
Office hours: M 10:00-11:00 AM, W 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Objectives: The general objective is to introduce students to the major themes in the
social, political, and cultural history of Latin America, from the late fifteenth to the
twentieth centuries. The course is intended to provide students with (1) an informed
notion of the region’s diverse historical and cultural heritage, and (2) essential
background for further coursework in the Latin American field at the university. Lectures
will complement assigned readings by discussing themes that are common to the region
as a whole and issues that distinguish the various national cultures and societies from one
another.
Readings: The course will be based on several texts, all of which are available for
purchase at the university bookstore; they can also be consulted at the reserve section of
the Green Library. Readings should be completed by the day for which they are
assigned.
Required:
Edwin Williamson, the Penguin History of Latin America. London: Penguin Books, 1992
[Williamson]
ISBN 0-140-12559-0
Sandra Lauderdale Graham, Caetana Says No: Women’s Stories from a Brazilian Slave
Society. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002 [Graham]
ISBN 0-8420-2898-6
Jane E. Mangan, Trading Roles: Gender, Ethnicity, and the Urban Economy in Colonial
Potosí. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2005 [Mangan]
1
ISBN: 0-8223-3470-4
Michael J. Gonzales, the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940. Albuquerque: University of

New Mexico Press, 2002 [Gonzales]
ISBN 0-8263-2780-x
Recommended (Green Library, Reserve room)
Benjamin Keen and Peter Haynes, A History of Latin America [Keen & Haynes]
The course will occasionally also make use of shorter readings (articles or excerpts from
books) to be consulted at the reserve section of the library.
Required reserve readings (Green Library, Reserve Room, Circulation desk) are:
Murdo J. Macleod, “Spain and America: the Atlantic Trade, 1492-1720” in The
Cambridge History of Latin America, edited by Leslie Bethell, vol. 1, UK: Cambridge
University Press, 1984; 341-388. Library Reserve – online
Students wishing to read more extensively on any of the topics covered in the course may
consult the optional suggested readings listed below or request additional titles from the
instructor. Handouts will also be provided during some of the sessions, and some
documentaries and films will be shown in class.
Grades and Assignments: The approximate reading load per week is of 125 pages.
Final grades will be based on several take-home essay assignments, quizzes, and a take-
home final examination, all of which are intended to meet the “Gordon Rule”
requirement. These take-homes essays (typed and double-spaced) will be written in
response to questions provided by the instructor at least two weeks before the particular
assignment is due. These assignments must be handed in class on the day they are
due (September 17, October 6, October 24, and December TBA); late papers will not
be accepted.
Students will submit the assignments online to ‘turnitin.com’. Instructions will be
forthcoming.
Consideration of work not handed in on the due dates will be given ONLY if the
student presents a written document (excuse) from a physician, counselor, or sports
team coach.
NO INTERNET SOURCES ARE PERMITTED FOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS.

NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY EMAILS.
Students will be required to complete a map exercise, which will be provided by the
instructor. Map and Geography Exercise is due on September 3. This will be a
pass/fail assignment (25 points). The instructor also reserves the right (which she may or
may not invoke) to administer small quizzes throughout the term. Students should also
be prepared for quizzes in the discussion sessions. These quizzes will be five (or ten)
points each; students who are absent on the day they are given will receive F’s.
2
Final grades will be based as follows: assignments 1, 2, and 3, 20% each, quizzes and
participation, 15%, and final assignment 25%. Students who participate actively and
knowledgeably in class discussion will see their final grades improved accordingly.
Students who are unable to come to class on a regular basis due to especial circumstances
should see the instructor at the beginning of the term to discuss such circumstances.
NEW AND VALUABLE RESOURCE for Undergraduates, “A Guide to Success in

History Courses,” SEE Undergraduate page,
http://www.fiu.edu/Undergraduates/undergraduatesnew.htm
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Do turn off cellular phones when you are in class, no
text messages!!!
Please avoid at all costs coming in or walking out of the classroom in the middle of
lectures and discussions. This is most rude and disruptive.
Policy on Academic Misconduct provided by the “Office of the Provost,” read

carefully:
"Florida International University is a community dedicated to
generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and
research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community
service. All students should respect the right of others to have an
equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality
of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a
standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for
themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the
University. All students are deemed by the University to understand
that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will
be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as
outlined in the Student Handbook."
For additional information on Academic Misconduct, refer to FIU site:

http://www.fiu.edu/provost/polman/sec2/sec2web2-44.htm
SCHEDULE
Week 1
August 25 Overview – Individual groups
Readings: Williamson, Preface vii-viii; Chapter 1, 3-16
August 27 Overview of Latin America

Readings: Williamson, 3-16
August 29 American Peoples – Discovery

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 1, 6-16; Chapter 2, 37-54
Week 2
September 1 Labor Day Holiday (University closed)
3
September 3 Encounter/Conquest: Mainland
Readings: Williamson, Chapter 1, 16-31, 35-36
Suggested: K & H, Chapter 1, 5-34
Map Exercise Due
September 5 Documentary, “Great Inca Rebellion” National Geographic

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 2, 75-76; Chapter 3, 77-91
Week 3
September 8 Discussion – Conquest
Readings: Williamson text; documentary
September 10 Europeans – Iberian background

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 2, 55-75
September 12 Perspective on Conquest

‘Columbian Exchange’
Readings: Williamson, Chapter 2, 75-76, Chapter 3, 77-91
Week 4
September 15 Discussion – Colonial society
Readings: Williamson, Chapter 3, 91-115; Chapter 4, 116-132, 134-147
September 17 Building a Colonial society

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 3, 91-115; Chapter 4, 116-132, 134-147
Assignment #1 Due
September 19 Colonial economy – Atlantic trade, carrera de Indias

Readings: Macleod, “Spain and America: the Atlantic Trade” – online, 341, 356-388
Williamson, Chapter 4, 116-132
Week 5
September 22 Discussion – Colonial economy
Readings: Mangan, Introduction, 1-20
September 24 Colonial economy – Mining, markets

Readings: Mangan, Chapters 1-2, 21-75
September 26 Colonial enterprises – Markets, credit

Readings: Mangan, Chapters 3-4, 76-133
Week 6
September 29 Discussion – Enterprising Women
4
Readings: Mangan, Chapter 5, Conclusion, 178-189
October 1 Colonial Brazil

October 3 Women and Patriarchy

Readings: Graham, Prologue, xix-xxii
Week 7
October 6 Slavery – Brazil
Readings: Graham, 1-26
Assignment #2 Due
October 8 Slavery – Discussion of text – Part 1

Readings: Graham, 26-82
October 10 Bourbon Reforms

Suggested: K & H, Chapter 7, 131-143, 149-156
Week 8
October 13 Discussion – Independence: Colonial collapse?
October 15 Aftermath of Independence

The legacy of colonialism
Documentary, “The Price of Freedom” - Fuentes
Readings: Williamson, 231-232, Chapter 7, 233-247
October 17 Building new nation-states

Regionalism; emergence of Caudillos
Week 9
October 20 Discussion
Emergence of Caudillos
October 22 Nineteenth Century – Civilization and Barbarism

5
October 24 Urbanization – Cities

Assignment #3 Due
Week 10
October 27 Discussion
Developing economies; nationalism
October 29 Developing economies; neocolonialism

October 31 Economic transformations

Modernization
November 2 ‘Day of the Dead’ – Mexican Celebration
Week 11
November 3 Discussion
Economic modernization and the Mexican Revolution
November 5 Mexican Revolution

Readings: Gonzales, Introduction, Chapters 1-2, 1-91

Readings: Gonzales, Chapters 3-4, 92-132
Week 12
Mexican Revolution
November 11 Veterans’ Day holiday (University closed)


6
Week 13
Reconstruction of Mexico
November 19 Revolutionary Utopia

Readings: Gonzales, Chapter 9, 221-257, Conclusion, 261-270
November 21 Revolutionary Utopia

Readings: Gonzales, Conclusion, 261-270
Week 14
Populism and Dictators
November 26 Documentary, “Evita: The Woman behind the Myth”

Readings: Handout on ‘Populism’ – The Economist
Williamson, 459-471
November 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday (University closed)
Week 15
December 1 Discussion
December 3 Final Review
Final Assignment – December TBA

Fall 2008 LAH 2020 Sections 01, 03, 04, and 05-1

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Florida International University

Emma M. Sordo, PhD Office DM 391B

Teaching Assistants: Office DM 392 and DM 370

Michael J. Gonzales, the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940. Albuquerque: University of

Recommended (Green Library, Reserve room)

NO INTERNET SOURCES ARE PERMITTED FOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS.

NEW AND VALUABLE RESOURCE for Undergraduates, “A Guide to Success in

Policy on Academic Misconduct provided by the “Office of the Provost,” read

For additional information on Academic Misconduct, refer to FIU site:

August 27 Overview of Latin America

August 29 American Peoples – Discovery

Map Exercise Due

September 5 Documentary, “Great Inca Rebellion” National Geographic

September 10 Europeans – Iberian background

September 12 Perspective on Conquest

September 17 Building a Colonial society

September 19 Colonial economy – Atlantic trade, carrera de Indias

September 24 Colonial economy – Mining, markets

September 26 Colonial enterprises – Markets, credit

October 1 Colonial Brazil

October 3 Women and Patriarchy

October 8 Slavery – Discussion of text – Part 1

October 10 Bourbon Reforms

Suggested: K & H, Chapter 8, 157-175

October 15 Aftermath of Independence

October 17 Building new nation-states

October 22 Nineteenth Century – Civilization and Barbarism

October 24 Urbanization – Cities

October 29 Developing economies; neocolonialism

October 31 Economic transformations

November 2 ‘Day of the Dead’ – Mexican Celebration

November 5 Mexican Revolution

November 7 Mexican Revolution

November 12 Mexican Revolution

November 14 Mexican Revolution

November 19 Revolutionary Utopia

November 21 Revolutionary Utopia

November 26 Documentary, “Evita: The Woman behind the Myth”

November 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday (University closed)

December 3 Final Review

Final Assignment – December TBA

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