HIST 4375

Latin America

Summer I  2008

 

Instructor:  Dr. Robert F. Pace                                                      

Office: OM 205

Office Hours: BY APPOINTMENT          

Phone: 793-3865

email: rpace@mcm.edu

 

Course Description:

The history of Latin America from prehistoric times to the present: political, economic, social, and intellectual development; United States-Latin American relations.

 

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

·         demonstrate knowledge of the general course and scope of Latin American history, including major political, economic, social, and intellectual developments that shaped that nation.

·         demonstrate the ability to successfully analyze and describe the ideas of major historians of Latin American history through projects related to the assigned readings.

·         demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in written formats throughout the course.

 

Required Books:

       Cheryl Martin and Mark Wasserman, Latin America and Its People, Second Edition, Pearson Longman (ISBN-10: 0-205-52053-7; ISBN-13: 978-0-205-52053-4)

 

Course Schedule:

Week 1 (June 2-8):
Assignment:

  • Read Chapters 1-3 of the book
  • Answer at least two discussion questions per chapter
  • Begin work on first take-home essay

 

Week 2 (June 9-15)
Assignment:

  • Read Chapters 4-6 of the book
  • Answer at least two discussion questions per chapter
  • Turn in first take-home essay (DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 13 at 11:00 PM)

 

Week 3 (June 16-22)
Assignment:

  • Read Chapters 7-9 of the book
  • Answer at least two discussion questions per chapter
  • Begin work on second take-home essay

 

Week 4 (June 23-29)
Assignment:

  • Read Chapters 10-12 of the book
  • Answer at least two discussion questions per chapter
  • Turn in second take-home essay (DUE MONDAY, JUNE 23 at 11:00 PM)

 

Week 5 (June 30-July 6)
Assignment:

  • Read Chapters 10-12 of the book
  • Answer at least two discussion questions per chapter
  • Turn in third take-home essay (DUE SUNDAY, JULY 6 at 11:00 PM)

Take- Home Essays:

There will be three take-home essays in this class. For these assignments, the students will write a well-developed 4-6 page essay, typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font, on the topic assigned. You may use your textbook, reputable internet sources (no online encyclopedias, Wikipedia, etc.), or outside books and articles. You MUST cite all sources in endnotes, conforming to the History Department style guide.

 

Reading Discussions:

After you have read each chapter, click on the discussion forum link in Moodle for that chapter and answer any two (2) of the questions in the forum with one to two solid paragraphs. Make sure that your answers are well-written, conforming to grammatical and punctuation standards. Also, make sure you cite the page numbers from which you got your information. Finally, if you answer a question that has already been answered by another student, YOUR answer must include NEW insights or details not included in the previous answer.

.

Grading:

Your final grade in the course will be determined as follows:
Discussion Forums (20 points per question [40 points per chapter])=600 points )

Take Home Essays (133.3 points per essay)=400 points

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS=1000

The following grading scale will be observed: A=925-1000; A-=895-924; B+=875-894; B=825-874; B-=795-824; C+=775-794; C=725-774; C-=695-724; D+=675-694; D=625-674; D-=595-624; F=less than 595.

 

Academic Honesty:

All work for this class is to be the student's own work. Plagiarism (representing another person’s words or ideas as one’s own) will not be accepted, and cheating will not be tolerated. Evidence of plagiarism or cheating on any assignment will result in failure of the class. Additionally, cheating on exams, through use of crib notes or any other means, will result in failure of the class.

 

Note on Disabilities:

McMurry University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no otherwise qualified student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap". If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance in this class and for which you may require accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office, located in Old Main, Room 102. Their phone number is 793-4880. Feel free to contact the instructor with any questions related to disabilities.

 


Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

and their Linkage to

Program and University Goals and Outcomes.

 

Course Number and Title

History 4375</span>
Latin America<span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Leadership and Virtue in American HistoryLeaMexicoM
<span style='font-size:18.0pt'> Summer I  2008</span>

 

Desired Student Learning Outcomes for this course

Linked to which departmental program goal(s)

Linked to which institutional goal(s)?

Types of evidence that might be used to demonstrate student achievement of objectives & goals

To demonstrate knowledge of the general course and scope of Latin American history, including major political, economic, social, and intellectual developments that shaped that nation

Possess general knowledge of American and World History, with emphasis on skills for historical research and interpretation.

Possess requisite knowledge and skills to teach history at the elementary and secondary levels, or possess requisite knowledge and skills to begin work in post-secondary levels education or related fields.

2, 3, 6

Students will demonstrate this knowledge through responses to questions over each chapter of the book, and through three take-home essays relatied to the material of the class.

To demonstrate the ability to successfully analyze and describe the ideas of major historians of Latin American history through projects related to the assigned readings.

 

Possess general knowledge of American and World History, with emphasis on skills for historical research and interpretation.

Possess requisite knowledge and skills to teach history at the elementary and secondary levels, or possess requisite knowledge and skills to begin work in post-secondary levels education or related fields.

2, 3, 6

In three written exercises, the students will discuss both historical interpretations of issues of Latin American History, as well as analysis of research and writing.

 

To demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in written formats throughout the course.

Possess general knowledge of American and World History, with emphasis on skills for historical research and interpretation.

Possess requisite knowledge and skills to teach history at the elementary and secondary levels, or possess requisite knowledge and skills to begin work in post-secondary levels education or related fields.

2, 3, 6

This objective will be measured through responses to questions over each chapter of the book, and through three take-home essays relatied to the material of the class..

 


Education (aligned with Core Values 1 & 3)

2. Students are equipped for successful careers and post-graduate education.

3. Students acquire an enthusiasm for lifelong learning through expanded intellectual and cultural experiences.

Development (aligned with Core Values 1, 2, 3, & 5)

6. In a community where spiritual, emotional, moral, intellectual, and physical qualities are nurtured, students will grow as whole persons. 

 

 McMurry University's Core Values (as referenced above)

  1. Christian Faith as the foundation of life,
  2. Personal Relationships as the catalyst for life,
  3. Learning as the journey of life,
  4. Excellence as the goal of life, and
  5. Service as the measure of life.