POL 225: Latin American Politics and Government

Course Description

This course will focus on the study of 20th century Latin American politics and government. The vacillation between authoritarianism and democracy will be examined, as well as the role of revolutionary change in the region. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Comprehend some of the contemporary political problems affecting the region while gaining Latin American perspectives on political trends and movements.
Analyze certain political, social and economic trends that affect the region as a whole.
Examine the particular ways that some of these issues manifest themselves within specific countries.
Identify different regime types in Latin America.
Examine key forces and actors in Latin American politics.
Identify and comprehend the major issues in Latin American politics.
Understand the process of democratization in Latin America.

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Discussions	30%
Midterm Exam (Week 4)	20%
Case Study Paper (Week 7)	20%
Final Exam (Week 8)	30%
Total	100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

Close, David. (2017). Latin American Politics. University of Toronto Press. ISBN-13: 9781442636927
Isbester, Katherine. (2011). Paradox of Democracy in Latin America. University of Toronto Press. ISBN-13: 9781442601802
Skidmore, Thomas. (2019). Modern Latin America. 9th ed. Oxford University Press. ISBN 13: 9780190674656

Optional Text

Winn, Peter (2006). Americas: Changing Face of Latin America and the Caribbean (3rd Edition). University of California Press ISBN-10: 0520245016 or ISBN-13: 9780520245013
Hillman, Roger. Understanding Contemporary Latin America (2nd Edition). ISBN-10: 1555878571

Course Schedule

Week	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	Topic: Introduction to Latin American Politics and Government Learning Unit 1: Why Latin America? Learning Unit 2: Legacy of Colonialism Learning Unit 3: From Independence to Modern Latin America Readings: Skidmore- Prologue & Chapters 1 & 2 Close - Chapters 1-4	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion
2	Topic: The Major South American Countries Learning Unit 4: Argentina Learning Unit 5: Chile Readings: Skidmore- Chapters 9 &10	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion
3	Topic: South American Countries Continues Learning Unit 6: Brazil Learning Unit 7: Peru Readings: Skidmore- Chapters 6 & 11 Isbester- Chapter 10-13 (skim Chapters on Chile and Bolivia)	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion
4	Topic: Revolution and Reform Learning Unit 8: Mexico Learning Unit 9: Cuba, Colombia & Venezuela Readings: Skidmore- Chapters 5, 7 & 8 Close Chapters 5. 6 & 7 Isbester- Chapter 4,8, 9	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion Midterm Exam Due
4	Midterm Exam Learning Units 1-9
5	Topic: Latin America in the Caribbean Learning Unit 10: Haiti and Dominican Republic Learning Unit 11: Puerto Rico- An American Dilemma Readings: Skidmore- Chapter 4	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion
6	Topic: Central America: Turmoil and Transformation Learning Unit 12: Central America I Learning Unit 13: Central America II Readings: Skidmore- Chapter 4 repeat Isbester- Chapters 5, 6, 7	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion
7	Topic: Areas of Special Concern Learning Unit 14: Religion, Race, Ethnicity, Class and Women in Latin America Learning Unit 15: Latin America and the United States and the World Readings: Skidmore- Chapter 14 Additional reading found in course Unit	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion Case Study Paper Due
8	Topic: Conclusion Learning Unit 16: Democratization, Economic Development and the Future Readings: Skidmore- Chapter 12 & 13 Close Chapters 8, 10 & 11	Read assigned chapters Review lecture material Participate in discussion Final Exam Due
8	Final Exam Learning Units 10-16

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.