MODERN LATIN AMERICA
HIST 2207 - INTL 2401 - Fall 2004
Dr. Jerry Dávila
Email: jdavila@uncc.edu
Office: Garinger 132
Office Hours: Mondays 2-4 and by appointment

***TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES BEFORE COMING INTO CLASS***

Latin America is a study of contrasts. No other part of the world shares its geographic, cultural,
racial and economic diversity. Indigenous societies live in close proximity to world banking
centers. Landless peasants struggle for social justice while residents of some of the world’s
largest cities battle traffic and pollution. Conflicting ideas of progress have charted paths to both
democracy and dictatorship as societies experiment with open markets, socialism and revolution.
This course surveys both recent trends in Latin America and their historical antecedents.
Beginning with a brief examination of contemporary issues in Latin America, we will explore
major themes in Latin American history such as: (1) the creation of new societies shaped by the
interaction of Europeans, Indigenous Peoples and Africans; (2) the formation of nations and their
neocolonial ties; and (3) reactions to modernity, modernization and rapid social change in the
twentieth century.
Above all, this course stresses the historical complexity and diversity of Latin America
and emphasizes the study of means of critical analysis through which we can better understand
Latin American cultures and understand historical processes.

The following books are required for the course:

ACADEMIC HONESTY
The health of our intellectual community depends upon highest standards of academic integrity,
as set out in the UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity printed in the
Undergraduate Catalogue. I expect you to be steadfast and rigorous in adhering to the following
five principles: (1) all work that you submit must be your own; (2) you may not submit work
that has already been submitted in another class; (3) When you draw directly from another
source, you must place that language in quotes and cite the source; (4) When you paraphrase
from another source, you must cite the source; (5) Do not falsify information. Failure to abide
by these norms can result in a failing grade for the course and further disciplinary action.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
This course stresses the analysis of primary and secondary historical sources. Written work in
the class will consist of a term paper based on course readings, and four short reading reviews.
The term paper will be worth 25% and the reading reviews will collectively be worth 10% of
your grade. A midterm and final exam will each be weighted at 20%. The geography will be
worth 5% of the final grade. The remaining 20% will be based on class attendance, preparedness
and participation, as well as the professionalism with which you conduct the course.

Geography Quiz                               5%             Midterm:                  20%
Term Paper:                                     25%           Short Papers:           10%
Class Attendance & Participation:    10%            Professionalism:       10%
Final Exam:                                      20%

Professionalism: If you maintain a professional approach to this class, you will automatically
receive credit for 10% of the course grade. This 10% is yours to lose, however, if you miss class,
attend unprepared, are disruptive, submit assignments inappropriately, fail to meet course
responsibilities or otherwise fail to contribute to the learning environment of your classmates.

Attendance, preparedness and participation are not simply components of your grade, they
are the foundations of this course. Your failure to come to class willing and able to engage in
critical analysis of materials in this course impoverishes the class and wastes everyone’s time.
Late submissions of written assignments are unfair to the majority of the students who do
their work on time. Late assignments will be penalized as follows: same day, after class, one-half
a letter grade; second day and each day thereafter, one letter grade. However it is always in your
interest to submit the assignment, no matter how late. Incomplete work in the course will result
in a failing grade, regardless of the grade average.

Class Discussion will be held for Peter Winn’s Weavers of the Revolution, Reyita Castillo
Bueno’s Reyita, William Beezley’s Judas and the Jockey Club, and Teresa Ortiz’s Never Again a
World Without Us. On discussion weeks, the class will meet in three small groups in order to
facilitate conversation. It is indispensable to the success of these discussions that each member
of the group come to class having completed the reading and prepared to participate. The grade
for class participation will be weighted heavily on active engagement in these discussions.

The Short Papers are one-page papers on a topic drawn from the four major readings in the
course. They are due on the day in which you participate in the book discussion.

The Term Paper will be a 6-8 page paper reflecting on the readings done over the course of the
class. Each of these readings bring together two main themes: (1) they show the ways in which
the broad currents of history affect the lives of ordinary people in Latin America and (2) they
reveal the ways in which individuals defy often incredible odds in order to shape the world of
which they are a part, and make themselves counted. This paper assignment invites you to
explore these questions in greater detail by asking such questions as: To what extent are
individuals swept by the events around them? Or to what degree do they have the agency to
shape historic currents? What role do race, class and gender play in shaping these historic roles,
or giving rise to strategies of resistance? These questions are central to our challenge, as
historians, to understand the meanings of, and the stakes involved in the cultures, values and
events which we study.

COURSE MEETINGS and READING ASSIGNMENTS:
***Unless specified, readings listed are to be completed by the Monday assigned***

I. The Breakdown of Democracy in CHILE

Week 1 Aug. 23, 25, 27 Introduction and Overview
Reading: MLA, 1-12.
Begin Winn.

Week 2 Aug. 30, Sept. 1, 3 The Breakdown of Democracy in Chile
NOTE: Mon, Aug. 30: Geography Quiz
Reading: MLA, 107-136.
Continue Winn.

Week 3 Sept. 6 (No Class), 8, 10 The United States and Chile
Reading, MLA, 355-387.
Continue Winn.

Week 4 Sept. 13, 15, 17 Discussion of WINN
First Short Paper Due

II. MEXICO: From Independence and Disintegration to Nationbuilding and Revolution

Week 5 Sept. 20, 22, 24 Nationhood, Caudillismo and Liberalism
Reading: Beezley, entire.

Week 6 Sept. 27, 29, Oct. 1 Discussion of BEEZLEY
Second Short Paper Due

Week 7 Oct. 4, 6 (No Class), 8 (No Class) Liberalism in Mexico
Reading: MLA, 13-67.

Week 8 Oct. 11 (No Class), 13, 15 The Mexican Revolution and its Legacy
Reading: MLA, 221-258.
Midterm Exam Oct. 15

III. BRAZIL and ARGENTINA: Race and Ethnicity, Economic Change and Populism

Week 9 Oct. 18, 20, 22 Slavery and Abolition
Reading: MLA, 137-155.
Castillo Bueno.

Week 10 Oct. 25, 27, 29 Discussion of CASTILLO BUENO
Third Short Paper Due

Week 11 Nov. 1, 3, 5 Industrialization, Urbanization and Labor Movements
Reading: MLA , 68-106.
Begin Ortiz.

Week 12 Nov. 8, 10, 12 Political Populism
Reading: MLA, 259-288.
Continue Ortiz.

IV. CUBA: Socialism, Authoritarianism and Democracy in Latin America

Week 13 Nov. 15, 17, 19 Cuba, the Caribbean and the United States
Reading: Continue Ortiz.

Week 14 Nov. 22, 24 (No Class), 26 (No Class) The Cuban Revolution
Reading: MLA, 55-67, 93-106; 155-176.
Continue Ortiz.

Week 15 Nov. 29, Dec. 1, 3 Discussion of ORTIZ
Fourth Short Paper Due

Week 16 Dec. 6, 8 Conclusion
The Term Paper is due December 6; The Final Exam will be held December 15, 8-11am.