History of Mexico and Central America 21:510:325. Spring M 6:00-9:00 p.m. Conklin Hall 446. Stephen Allen.

Transcription

1 History of Mexico and Central America 21:510:325 Spring 2011 M 6:00-9:00 p.m. Conklin Hall 446 Stephen Allen stallen@eden.rutgers.edu Office: Conklin 326 Office hours: M 4:30-5:30 or by appointment In this course, we will examine the political, economic, social, and cultural histories of Mexico and the five nations that have historically constituted Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica). Although we will place a great deal of emphasis on the actions and events that occurred at the national level, we will also stress the importance of studying popular culture and everyday life to better understand the past. Through written sources (historical analyses, testimonies, and literature), visual sources (art and film), and audio sources (music and other recordings), we will investigate how race, class, gender, nationalism, cultural diffusion, regionalism, and foreign relations have impacted and been impacted developments in these nations. Required Readings Belli, Giaconda. The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War. New York: Anchor Books, Henderson, Timothy. A Glorious Defeat: Mexico and its War with the United States. New York: Hill & Wang, Hernández Chávez, Alicia. Mexico: A Brief History. Trans. Andy Klatt. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, Joseph, Gilbert Michael and Timothy J. Henderson, eds. The Mexico Reader: History Culture, Politics. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2002.

2 Pérez-Brignoli, Héctor. A Brief History of Central America. Trans. Ricardo B. Sawrey A. and Susana Strettri de Sawrey. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, Recommended (especially for History majors): Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing History. 5 th edition. New York: Bedford/St. Martin s Press, The above books are available at the University Bookstore. For the best prices, check for the new and used books. This site gives you comparative listings culled from the internet; you might also check Amazon, AbeBooks, and Alibris directly. Evaluation Participation 15%: Students are expected to regularly participate in class discussions and group work. Quizzes 10%: Throughout the semester, I will randomly assign pop quizzes based on the assigned readings and films shown in class. Book Review 10%: Students must write a 3-4 book review for A Glorious Defeat. It is imperative that students come to class the days the review is due to participate in class discussion. Mid-Term Exam 20%: Will cover the fist half of material covered in the course. Research Paper 25%: Students must write a 8-10 page paper on a topic dealing with a Mexican or Central American Revolution. They may choose the specific topic, but should address the following questions: What makes these events revolutionary? Is there something specifically Mexican/Central American about this revolution? Final 20%: Will cover the second half of material covered in the course Course Expectations Because there are only 14 classes, students will receive only two(2) unexcused absences. After two absences, students must show documentation to prevent their final grade from dropping half a grade (for example, from an A to a B+). All assignments are due by the beginning of class the day they are assigned. I will deduct 5% for each day the assignment is late. (1 day =5%, 2 days =10%, etc.). Under extenuating circumstances, I will grant extensions without penalty. Please contact me at least one week before the assignment is due to discuss specific details.

3 For late assignments, you must me the paper and then turn in a hard copy at the next class meeting. I will use the submission only to verify when it was turned in. You must complete all assignments. If you fail to do so, you will fail the course. All grade questions can be discussed through or during office hours. Exams must be completed as scheduled, unless you provide appropriate documentation, such as medical documentation. If you have to miss an exam, notify me before the exam and we will schedule a make up exam date as soon as possible. Absences without a valid excuse will result in a 0 for the exam. Anyone who misses four(4) or more classes (excused or unexcused) will automatically fail the class. If you find yourself in this situation, you should withdraw to avoid receiving an F. Students needing accommodations for a documented disability should notify the instructor before the end of the first week of classes. Plagiarism and cheating are very serious offenses and I will not hesitate to report them to the Dean. If you are not sure what plagiarism is, please visit the RU Academic Integrity Website at Schedule of Classes January 23: January 30 February 6 February 13 Introduction/Pre-Colombian Era Hernández Chávez Ch. 1 Conquest and Colonial Society Hernández Chávez Ch. 2 and 3 Mexico Reader (25 pages): Intro The Spaniards Entry into Tenochtitlán Cortés and Montezuma The Battles of Tenochtitlán and Tlatelolco On Men s Hypocrisy Independence Hernández Chávez Ch. 4, 5, and 6 Mexico Reader (20 pages): Sentiments of the Nation Women and War in Mexico The Glorious Revolution of 1844 The 19 th Century in Mexico Henderson, complete BOOK REVIEW DUE

4 February 20 February 27 March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 April 2 April 9 April 16 The Porfiriato Hernández Chávez Ch. 7 and 8 Mexico Reader (25 pages): Porfirio Díaz Visits Yucatán Scenes from a Lumber Camp President Díaz, Hero of the Americas Gift of the Skeletons The Mexican Revolution Hernández Chávez Ch. 9 and 10 Mexico Reader (32 pages): Plan of Ayala Zapatistas in the Palace Mexico Has Been Turned into a Hell Pancho Villa MID-TERM / Post Revolutionary Art and Film in Mexico Movie Excerpt: Vámonos con Pancho Villa SPRING BREAK The 19th Century Central America and the Sandino/Martí Revolts Pérez-Brignoli, 1-97 OUTLINE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR TERM PAPER DUE The United Fruit Company and the Guatemalan Spring Pérez-Brignoli, Sandinista Revolution/ Salvadoran and Guatemalan Civil Wars Belli, Complete Movie Excerpt: Salvador The Mexican Miracle Hernández Chávez, Ch. 11 Mexico Reader (23 pages): Mexico s Crisis The Two Faces of Acapulco during the Golden Age Movie Excerpt: Nosotros los pobres Populism and Economic Decline in Mexico Mexico Reader (43 pages): The Student Movement of 1968 El Santo s Strange Career After the Earthquake Letters to Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas

5 TERM PAPER DUE April 23 April 30 May 7 Neoliberalism and the Zapatistas Hernández Chávez, Ch. 12 Mexico Reader (30 pages) Women of Juchitán EZLN Demands at the Dialogue Table The Long Journey from Despair to Hope Movie Excerpt: Amores Perros The Border: Immigration and the Drug Trade The War Next Door, Guy Lawson In the New Gangland of El Salvador, Alma Guillermoprieto Excerpt from Robert Courtney Smith, Mexican New York: Transnational Live of New Immigrants, p Movie Excerpt: Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary FINAL EXAM - 6:20-9:20 PM