Spring 2009 LAH 2020 Sections 01, 02, 03, and 08

Florida International University
Department of History
Spring 2009
LAH 2020 Latin American Civilization
W-F 10:00 – 10:50 AM – Sections U01, U02, U03, & U08 – GL 100
Emma M. Sordo, PhD Office DM 391B

Phone 305 - 348-0179 Office Hours: M 12-1 PM, W 11-1 PM
E-mail: sordoe@fiu.edu and by Appointment
Teaching Assistants: Office DM 392 and DM 370

Jessica Allison – E-mail: jalli003@fiu.edu – U01 M 10:00-10:50 AM – CP 111
Office hours: F 11 AM – 1 PM
Albert Hernandez - E-mail: ahern093@fiu.edu – U03 M 10:00-10:50 AM – CP 111
Office hours: M 10-10:50 AM, W 9-9:50 AM
Jeffrey Austin – E-mail: jaust003@fiu.edu - U02 M 10:00-10:50 AM – OE 222
Office hours: T & TH 10-11 AM
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]
ISBN: 0-8223-3470-4
Michael J. Gonzales, the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940. Albuquerque, NM: 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 two in-class essays, 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 are due in class (January 26, February 2,
February 16, March 6, and April TBA); late papers will not be accepted.
Students will submit the assignments (Mangan, Graham, and Gonzales) 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 Exercise is due on January 14. The assignment is worth 25 points, will
be added to quiz component of final grade. 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 are five (or
ten) points each; students who are absent on the day they are given will receive F’s. No
make-up quizzes unless you provide a documented excuse.
Final grades will be based as follows: assignments 1 and 2, 10% each, assignments 3
and 4, 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,” click on the Undergraduate link, Department of History,
http://www.fiu.edu/~history/index.html
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
January 5 Overview – Individual groups
Readings: Williamson, Preface vii-viii; Chapter 1, 3-16
January 7 Overview of Latin America

Readings: Williamson, 3-16
January 9 American Peoples – Discovery

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 1, 6-16; Chapter 2, 37-54
Week 2
January 12 Encounter/Conquest: Mainland
Readings: Williamson, Chapter 1, 16-31, 35-36
Suggested: K & H, Chapter 1, 5-3
January 14 Documentary, “Great Inca Rebellion” National Geographic
Readings: Williamson, Chapter 2, 75-76; Chapter 3, 77-91
Map and Geography Exercise Due
January 16 Documentary discussion

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 3, 77-91
Week 3
January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
January 21 Europeans – Iberian background

January 23 Perspective on Conquest

‘Columbian Exchange’
Readings: Williamson, Chapter 2, 75-76, Chapter 3, 77-91
Week 4
January 26 Essay #1 – in class exercise
January 28 Building a Colonial society

Readings: Williamson, Chapter 3, 91-115; Chapter 4, 116-132, 134-147
January 30 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
February 2 Essay #2 – in class exercise
February 4 Colonial economy – Mining

Readings: Mangan, Introduction, 1-20
February 6 Colonial enterprises – Markets, credit

Readings: Mangan, Chapters 1-2, 21-75
Week 6
February 9 Colonial enterprises – Markets, credit
Readings: Mangan, Chapters 3-4, 76-133
February 11 Enterprising Women

Readings: Mangan, Chapter 5, Conclusion, 178-189
February 13 Women and Patriarchy
Readings: Graham, Prologue, xix-xxii
Suggested: K & H, Chapter 5, 115-117; Chapter 6, 118-124
Week 7
February 16 Slavery – Brazil
Readings: Graham, 1-26
Essay # 3 – Mangan due
February 18 Slavery – Discussion of Graham – Part 1

Readings: Graham, 26-82
February 20 Bourbon Reforms

Suggested: K & H, Chapter 7, 131-143, 149-156
Week 8
February 23 Independence: Colonial collapse?
February 25 Aftermath of Independence

The legacy of colonialism
Documentary, “The Price of Freedom” - Fuentes
Readings: Williamson, 231-232, Chapter 7, 233-247
February 27 Building new nation-states

Regionalism; emergence of Caudillos
Week 9
March 2
Emergence of Caudillos
March 4 Nineteenth Century – Civilization and Barbarism

March 6 Urbanization
Essay #4 – Graham text due
Week 10
March 9 Developing economies; nationalism
March 11 Developing economies; neocolonialism

March 13 Economic transformations

Modernization
Week 11 Spring Break – March 16-21
Week 12
March 23 Economic modernization and the Mexican Revolution
March 25 Mexican revolution

Readings: Gonzales, Introduction, Chapters 1-2, 1-91
March 27 Mexican revolution

Readings: Gonzales, Chapters 3-4, 92-132
Week 13
March 30 Mexican Revolution
April 1 Mexican Revolution

April 3 Mexican Revolution

Week 14
April 6 Reconstruction of Mexico
April 8 Revolutionary Utopia

Readings: Gonzales, Chapter 9, 221-257, Conclusion, 261-270
April 10 Revolutionary Utopia
Readings: Gonzales, Conclusion, 261-270
Week 15
April 13 Discussion
Populism and Dictators
April 15 Documentary, “Evita: The Woman behind the Myth”

Readings: Handout on ‘Populism’ – The Economist
Williamson, 459-471
Final Assignment – April TBA

Spring 2009 LAH 2020 Sections 01, 02, 03, and 08

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Florida International University

Emma M. Sordo, PhD Office DM 391B

Teaching Assistants: Office DM 392 and DM 370

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:

January 7 Overview of Latin America

January 9 American Peoples – Discovery

Map and Geography Exercise Due

January 16 Documentary discussion

January 21 Europeans – Iberian background

January 23 Perspective on Conquest

January 28 Building a Colonial society

January 30 Colonial economy – Atlantic trade, carrera de Indias

February 4 Colonial economy – Mining

February 6 Colonial enterprises – Markets, credit

February 11 Enterprising Women

Essay # 3 – Mangan due

February 18 Slavery – Discussion of Graham – Part 1

February 20 Bourbon Reforms

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

February 25 Aftermath of Independence

February 27 Building new nation-states

March 4 Nineteenth Century – Civilization and Barbarism

March 11 Developing economies; neocolonialism

March 13 Economic transformations

Week 11 Spring Break – March 16-21

March 25 Mexican revolution

March 27 Mexican revolution

April 1 Mexican Revolution

April 3 Mexican Revolution

April 8 Revolutionary Utopia

April 15 Documentary, “Evita: The Woman behind the Myth”

Final Assignment – April TBA

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