Comparative Studies 3810
Introduction to Latin American Studies
Dr. Vicki McCard
Spring 2014

Prerequisite: HIST 1111, HIST 1112, SPAN 2001 or SPAN 2002 or departmental permission.

Catalog Description: An interdisciplinary course that considers Latin America and its relationship with the United States from a variety of perspectives. A reading of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude accompanies an examination of the region's significant socio-political, economic and historical events. Taught in English.

Objective: To increase the student's knowledge of Latin American (and Latino) history, economics, politics, literature and culture.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1) Locate Latin American countries and their capitals on map.
2) Discuss major events and trends of Latin American history.
3) Discuss socioeconomic and ethnic composition of Latin America
4) Discuss the history of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
5) Discuss the literary portrayal of Latino culture in the U.S. in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
6) Discuss the literary portrayal of Latin American political and economic history in One Hundred Years of Solitude.
7) Discuss the portrayal of Latin American society and politics in Latin American cinema.

Methods of Instruction: Lectures, films, class discussion, internet research.

Required Texts:
Skidmore, Thomas E., Peter H. Smith and James N. Green. Modern Latin America. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. Print.

García Márquez, Gabriel. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Trans.Gregory Rabassa. New York:
     Perennial Classics, 1998. Print.

Díaz, Junot.  The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. New York: Riverhead, 2007. Print.

Evaluation:
Attendance and participation in class discussion.................................20%
Homework and daily quizzes.............................................................20%
Written midterm examination ............................................................10%
Written final examination: Friday, May 2nd from 10:20-12:20............20%
Film viewer-response critiques .........................................................30%

General Expectations:
Excessive absences will lower the participation grade. If a student's absences exceed seven, s/he runs the risk of being dropped from the course with the grade of WF.

Students are expected to complete each day's reading and viewing assignments before coming to class.

No make-ups are given for missed daily quizzes. Depending on the total number given, the lowest two or three grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Make-ups will be given for the midterm and final exams only with a documented excuse.

Students must watch 5 feature films in this course. All are available for viewing in the Language Lab in 317 Dunlap Hall during its normal operating hours (M-Th 8-8; and F 8-4).  They may also be accessed from online rental sources. A viewer-response critique/essay must be written on each film and turned in on the date it is discussed in class. A letter grade will be deducted for each day of tardiness. Two double-spaced typed pages should be sufficient to include the following information and address the following essential questions:
1) Concise summary of content.  What is the film about? (Setting, plot, main characters, etc.).
2) How does the content of the film tie in with or illustrate some aspect of the reading assignment in LA that
    precedes it?
3) What is the filmmaker attempting to communicate to the viewer?
4) What did you take away (learn) from this viewing experience?  Did the film confirm or challenge any preconceived notions you had,
    or was it completely new subject matter for you? 

Please include specific evidence/examples (from the film and/or textbook) to support/illustrate each question/topic.

You are expected to be familiar with and follow the academic integrity policy of the university as outlined in the 2013-2014 Student Handbook and Planner on p. 31-32.  Putting your name on work that was produced or written by someone else including translators available on the internet or through computer software is a violation of this policy.  You should do your own work.  You may study together but may not turn in the same work.  Violations of this policy will result in a zero for everyone involved for the assignment in question and the possibility of additional disciplinary action at the institutional level. 
The professor reserves the right to require electronic copies of viewer-response critiques so that they can be submitted to Turnitin.com.

Please silence cell phones and put them away (not in your lap) upon entering the classroom.

Please do not leave and return to class unless absolutely necessary. Doing so will lower participation grade.

Additional Information:

Course Evaluations: Class evaluations at UNG are conducted on-line through Banner. Evaluation of the class is considered a component of the course and students will not be permitted to access their course grade until the evaluation has been completed. The evaluations will be accessible beginning one week prior to Final Exam week.

Students with Disabilities: UNG is committed to equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities.  If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the instructor and the Office of Student Disability Resources. Contact Thomas McCoy, coordinator of student disabilities resources, in the Stewart Student Success Center, Room 313 (706‑867‑2782) for more information

My office is 310 A-B Dunlap Hall. My telephone number is 864-1965.
My e-mail address is victoria.mccard@ung.edu.

My office hours are10:00-10:45 (MWF), 2:45-3:45 (MW), 2:00-4:00 (T) and by appt.

Course Calendar*

MLA = Modern Latin America       
HYS = One Hundred Years of Solitude      
WAO = Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

PLEASE BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS OR BE QUIZZED ON EACH READING OR FILM ON THE DATE IT IS LISTED IN THE CALENDAR