Le Veness GOV 2690  

  THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICA REVISED

SPRING SEMESTER 2012                                                                      FRANK PAUL LE VENESS, Ph.D.

GOVERNMENT 2690                                                  PROFESSOR OF GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The origin, structures and functions of Latin American government.

COURSE OUTLINE

I.                    Introduction to Latin America and Course Methodology.  Vanden/Prevost, Chap. 1.

II.                  Colonial Institutions and the Independence Movement.  Vanden/Prevost, Chap. 2.

III.               Early Governments and Constitutions.  Traditional Economic and Social Development.  Chaps. 3, 4.

IV.                 Dictatorship and Revolution. Vanden/Prevost, Chap. 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 18.

V.                  Current Constitutions and Government Structures. Chaps. 9, 10.

VI.                Political Movements and Political Parties.  Vanden/Prevost, Chap.8,  9, 10.14, 18.

VII.             Principal Actors of Politics, Economic, and Social Change. Vanden/Prevost Chap. 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 21.

VIII.           Latin America in the International Setting. 11, 13, 14.

Note that topics will not necessarily be discussed in exactly the order listed in this outline.  Other hapters should be read at student convenience.

MISCELLANEOUS

Credit: three (3) undergraduate semester hours.

Instructor's Office: Room 234-H, St. John Hall

Instructor's Office Telephone: 1-718-990-5720

Instructor's Mobile Telephone: 1-212-729-0018

Instructor’ Fax: 1-718-990-2084

Instructor's University Address:

                    Department of Government and Politics

                    St. John's University

                    8000 Utopia Parkway

                    Jamaica, New York 11439-0001

Instructor's Private Address:

                     P. O. Box 660035

                     Fresh Meadows, New York 11366-0035

Instructor's Tentative Office Hours:

                     Mondays:  1245-1345

                     Tuesdays: 1500-1700

                       Additional times may be made by appointment with the instructor.

Nota bene:  It is not permitted to utilize computers during class as this can often be quite distracting to others.  Other electronic devices, and the use of mobile telephones, including texting is also forbidden.  Violators will be removed from class.

REQUIRED READINGS

BOOK:

Vanden, Harry E. and Gary Prevost, Politics of Latin America: The Power Game, 4th ed.  New York:

                Oxford UP, 2012 (Paperbound).

ARTICLES:

Le Veness, Frank P. and Patrick Flanagan, C.M., “The Economic Future of Puerto Rico: The Need for Radical Change,” in Lenora Fuxman, Nejdet Delener, F. Victor Lu, and Luis Eduardo Rivera-Solis, eds., Evolution and Revolution in the Global Knowledge Economy: Enhancing Innovation and Competitiveness Worldwide.  Madrid: Global Business and Technology Association, 2008.

Le Veness, Frank P. and Marilyn Fleckenstein, “Globalization and the Nations of the South: Plans for Development or Paths to Marginalization.”  Journal of Business Ethics.  47 (2003) (obtainable on-line).

Primeaux, Patrick D., S.M. and Frank P. Le Veness, “What is Fair: Three Perspectives.” Journal of Business Ethics.  84, (2009). (available on line)

Additional readings will be assigned during the course of the semester.   

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements include the completion of all assigned readings, class participation, completing both a mid-term examination and a final examination, the submission of two (2) Individual Research Projects.  Each of the examinations, and each of the individual projects will be worth approximately twenty-five per cent (25%) of the final grade.  A class participation grade will be added in at the end of the semester, which will include individual country oral reporting.   Additional assignments may be distributed during the course of the semester.

EXAMINATIONS

The first examination will consist of all materials covered in class and all assigned readings up to the date of that examination.  Check the course calendar for the date of the submission of this examination.   The final examination will be selectively cumulative, in that it will include all material covered in class considerations from the commencement of the semester, but only the readings assigned subsequent to the mid-term examination.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS

Students who fail to sit for the regularly scheduled mid-term examination may sit for a make-up mid-term examination.  Students who have taken the mid-term examination but who wish to improve their grade, may also take a make-up examination.  In this latter instance, the make-up examination grade replaces the grade of the mid-term examination even if the make-up examination grade is lower than that of the mid-term examination.

Nota bene: The instructor is not required to administer make-up examinations.  Therefore, the make-up first examination must be taken on the date and at the time indicated in the course calendar or otherwise announced.  Excuses such as work schedules, other classes, and the like, are unacceptable.  Normally, the make-up first examination will not be administered at any other time.  Make plans accordingly!

Failure to sit for a make-up examination for a missed first examination will lead to a grade of F (Zero) for that examination.

Rules for final examinations and make-up final examinations are established by St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  Permission to sit for a make-up final examination must be sought from the College administration.  Those sitting for the regular final examination may not also sit for a make-up final examination.

If an exception is made to first make-up examination policy, except for matters of religious observance (see the instructor), and a student is granted permission to sit for a make-up first examination at any other time than the regularly scheduled make-up examination, a twenty-five percent (25%) penalty will be applied to the examination grade.

CLASS GRADES

As noted above, a class participation grade is added to the final grade of each student.  This grade is composed of two distinct elements:

(a)     Oral class participation:  The instructor wishes to emphasize the importance of oral class participation.  Exchanges of ideas among the members of the class are a vital element in the learning process of this course.  The instructor takes such exchanges extremely seriously.  Students are urged to participate regularly and to share their concepts with the other members of the class.  Normally such participation will serve to raise students’ grades, not to lower them.  However, serious lack of participation may lead to the lowering of a grade.

      (b)    Individual country assignments: Each student will be given a country on which that student must

               be prepared to offer reports concerning history, politics, economy, foreign policy, and the like      

              when called upon during class discussions.  Responses will be judged as to general quality, and

              specific up-to-date knowledge of the country and subject matter. These assignments may also

              serve either to raise or to lower class grades.

Under normal circumstances, the class grade will affect the final grade by no more than one grade level, higher or lower, e.g., B to B+ or C to C-.  However, exceptions are made in unusual cases (both raising and lowering grades).

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

All students are required to submit two (2) individual research projects.  They must be one of the subjects listed in the individual research topic titles distributed with this syllabus.  Each project must be completed on the date specified in the class calendar.  A one grade penalty per class (e.g., A to A- or C+ to C) will be applied to any paper submitted after the due date.  Under normal circumstances, no paper will be accepted after the regularly scheduled final examination (even if the student takes a make-up final examination).  If the individual research papers are submitted on time, they will be returned and may be resubmitted for a grade improvement up to the final examination. 

Submission must be completed by the start of a class period.  Any paper submitted after that time will be considered as received late.  As noted above, a one grade reduction will apply after the commencement of the class period at which the assignment was due, and an additional one grade reduction will occur after the commencement of each subsequent class period.  Individual research assignments must be submitted via electronic mail (e-mail) directly to the instructor.  No individual research assignment may be submitted in any other manner.

Students who fail to submit an individual research assignment will receive a grade of F (Zero) for the assignment.  All these individual research papers must be cleared through “Turn-it-in.com” by the student.  That process must take place prior to the submission to the instructor, and the “Turn-it-in.com” report must be submitted by the student with each paper.  The same lateness policy applies to turnitin.com reports as applies to the paper, i.e., one grade loss per class period, as described above.

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS

1. Discuss one (1) of the Central American nations by considering its present economic and political conditions and its prospects for improving its economy and achieving greater democracy or maintaining democratic government during the Twenty-First Century.  Choose from El Salvador, Guatemala, or Nicaragua.

2. Discuss a South American nation from the standpoint of its economic development during the Twentieth Century and its prospects for the Twenty-First Century, as well as its current political climate and how this climate may help or hinder the process.  Choose from Argentina, Brazil, or Chile.
3. Discuss the relationship between a specific Latin American nation and the United States during the 19^th and 20^th Centuries.  Choose from Panama, Peru, or Venezuela.

4. Discuss the colonial experience of a particular Latin American nation.  Note its effects on the current political, economic, and social climate of that nation.

5. Some scholars speak of the stability of Honduras and Costa Rica and issues concerning maintaining that stability.  Offer a discussion as well as your own views on that topic.

6. Discuss the relationship between the United States and Mexico during the 20^th Century, including the rise of NAFTA.

7. Based upon past and present relationships, how do you see the future of U.S. relations with Puerto Rico?

8. Discuss U.S.-Cuban relations. How do you see them developing during the 21^st Century?  What are the root causes of the current difficulties?

9. Discuss the history of and prospects for the political and economic integration in Latin America, including the  Market of the Americas, which was supposed to come into force by 2005!

10. Consider U.S. Relationships with some of the “left” leaning countries of South America, particularly Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela.  What do you see as the future of those relations?

11. Discuss poverty in contemporary Latin America.  How does that area of the world fare with regard to the HDI and the disparities between rich and poor?  How does this fit in with the findings of the Le Veness/Fleckenstein article?  How does “fairness” fit into the picture?

12. Consider the role of the World Bank and the IMF, especially with regard to their policies towards Latin America.  What do you see as the future of this relationship?  Include a discussion of the possible effects of Venezuela’s  proposal of Banco del Sur.

13. Consider the development of Central America.  What are the chief obstacles?  What has been and what is the contemporary U.S. role with regard to such development? How does all of this vary from nation to nation?  How does the work of someone like Hartvey “Pable” Steele fit into all of this?

       14.    Consider the political and economic relations between Latin America and Europe and also Latin

               America and the nations of the developing world and the People’s Republic of China.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submissions of all course work must be accomplished by the start of the regularly scheduled final examination.  No materials will be accepted at a later time.  If students should miss the final examination and be granted permission to sit for a make-up final examination, normally no other materials may be submitted with that make-up examination (e.g., assignments, individual research projects, or the like).

COURSE CALENDAR

Thursday, 19 January…………………………………………………………………….Course commences.

Tuesday, 24 January……………………………………………………………...…..Last day to add classes.

Tuesday, 07 February…………………………….….Last day to drop a class (without transcript notation).

Wednesday, 08 February…………………………………………….Withdrawal (WD) period commences.

Monday, 20 February…………………………………………………………….President’s Day.  Holiday.

Thursday, 23 February………………………………………………..………………….First Examination.

Monday, 27 February and Thursday, 01 March…………………………….……..Spring Break.  No classes.

Monday, 05 March…………………………….………………………….………First Research Report due.

Thursday, 22 March…………...…….Make-up examinations this date.  Time and location to be announced.

Friday, 30 March……………………..Last Day with Withdraw from a Class or Apply for Pass/Fail Option.

Thursday, 05 April…………..……………………………..………………………Holy Thursday.  No class.

Monday, 09 April…………………………………………………………………Easter Monday, no classes.

Wednesday, 11 April……………………………..…………Monday classes meet.  This class has a session.

Thursday, 12 April…………………….…………Second Research Paper due by commencement of class.

Monday, 30 April....………………………………………………..Ultimate class before final examinations.

Tuesday, 01 May………….………………...…………………………………………..Study Day.  No class.

Wednesday, 02 May to Tuesday, 08 May………...….………………………...…..Final examination period.

All resubmissions of research papers must be completed by the start of the class of the final examination day.

During the course of the semester, be certain to check for the precise type of examination as well as the date and time of the final examination for this course! 

This calendar is subject to change with notice.

CONSULTATION

Students should feel free to consult with the instructor concerning any aspect of this course or their individual performances therein.  Such consultation is encouraged, and may be required by the instructor.  Students may see the instructor in person during regular office hours, or may telephone the instructor during those office hours.  Additional times for consultation, either in-person or by telephone, may be arranged at times of mutual convenience.  Messages may be left at other times on the instructor’s telephones.  If students leave their name and a return telephone number, the instructor will endeavor to return the telephone call (if requested or necessary) at the earliest convenient time.    Students may also e-mail the instructor.  Once again, the instructor will endeavor a return e-mail (if requested or necessary) at a time of convenience.

CHANGES IN REQUIREMENTS

The information offered in this syllabus and in any additional sheets distributed in class or by electronic mail,  are as accurate as possible.  However, given the nature of the academic semester, changes are possible.  Be assured, any changes will be announced in class when possible and may also be distributed in written form or by electronic mail.  Students are responsible for all such changes, and, therefore, are advised to attend class regularly to make themselves aware of any such revisions in requirements, procedures, the calendar, or the like.  It is also important for students to check their St. John’s electronic mail accounts for announcements during the course of the semester.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. The research projects must be original papers prepared by the student based upon the questions supplied by the instructor.  Students may not utilize any paper previously or concurrently submitted in another class.

2. The papers must be a minimum of eight (8) pages of text (excluding title page, if any, appendices if any, and works cited page, and the like.    It is most important that students remember that the paper must have a clear thesis, and that it must not be a mere compilation of facts.

3. Sufficient numbers of sources should be utilized to indicate satisfactory research.  These sources must include some or all of the following: (a) primary source materials or government or other documents; (b) scholarly books; k(c) scholarly journals, (d) general readership books and magazines, (e) newspapers, and the like.  Interviews of persons authoritative with regard to the subject is also a research technique which may prove valuable.

For each paper it is required that a total of at least six (6) sources from som

Our librarians are ready to assist our University Community with research 7 days a week. If you are on campus during library hours, stop by the reference desk. If you are not on campus, you can call us (see contact info at right).  Need help on the road or during off-hours? Use our AskUs Service to submit a question by email or text (917-652-6936) and we’ll deliver an answer in same format.