IR 6641: Latin America in World Affairs



~Fall 2009~





Dr. Steven L. Taylor



Homepage: http://spectrum.troy.edu/~sltaylor

e-mail: sltaylor@troy.edu




COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines the relevant actors, issues and political history of the region as it pertains to the interaction of the states of the western hemisphere. Attention is given to the basic politics of Latin American states and to the current policy topics of significance to the Americas, e.g., drugs, immigration, security and trade.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the of the course, students should have achieved the following:

  • An understanding of the basic political context of Latin America.

  • An understanding of the basic context (both practical and theoretical) of inter-American relations.

  • A detailed understanding of current US-Mexican and US-Colombian relations.

  • An understanding of the basic topics that dominant current inter-American relations with a special focus on immigration, trade, drugs and security.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Read the assigned texts and supplemental articles and be prepared to discuss them in class—students will be responsible for leading class discussion on a rotating schedule.

  • Each student must brief the class on a specific country and specific policy topic. Each briefing will include a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation, a hand-out and an 8-10 page report handed in to Dr. Taylor. Due dates will be determined by when the country/topic arises on the syllabus.

  • Complete a final examination.

READINGS. There are five required texts for the course:

Abu-Labam, Yasmeen, Radha Jhappan and Francois Rocher, eds. 2008. Politics in North America: Redefining Continental Relations. Toronto: Broadview Press.

Crandall, Russell. 2008. Driven by Drugs US Policy Toward Colombia., 2nd Edition. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers


Diamond, Larry, Marc F. Plattner and Diego Abente Brun, eds. 2008. Latin America's Struggle for Democracy. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.


Domínguez, Jorge I and Rafeal Fernández de Castro, 2009. The United States and Mexico: Between Partnership and Conflict. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge.


Smith, Peter H. 2008. Talons of the Eagle:Latin America, the United States and the World. New York: Oxford University Press


Additionally, there will be online readings and handouts that all students will be expected to read. Students must obtain these readings from the Troy Library databases.


GRADING. Students will be evaluated on a standard 100 point scale (A=100-90, B=89.9-80, C-79.9-70, D=69.9-60, F=59.9-0). Grades will not be curved.

Keep in mind the following: A=Outstanding, B=Above Average, C=Average, D=Below Average and F=Failing. If you need a particular grade, start working towards it from DAY ONE.

Breakdown

10%: Course participation, including leading discussion on a regular basis.

25%: Country Report and Presentation (due date to be assigned)

25%: Policy Report and Presentation (due date to be assigned)

40%: Final Exam (12/3 @ 5pm)

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING SCHEDULE

Week 1 (8/18): Course Overview, Intro to Latin America, Basic US-LA Relations

Smith: introduction, C1-C5

Weeks 2 (8/25): Basic US-LA Relations

Smith: C6-C12

Castañeda, Jorge and Patricio Navia. 2008. New Priorities for Latin America. Current History. 107,709(May):213-218.

Erickson, Daniel P. 2008. Requiem for the Monroe Doctrine. Current History. 107, 706 (February): 58-64.

Shifter, Michael and Daniel Joyce. 2009. No Longer Washington's Backyard. Current History. 108,715 (February):51-57.

Cold War video.

Week 3 & 4 (9/1 & 9/8): Contemporary Latin American Politics, Part I: Issues of Governance

Finish above.

Diamond, et al.: into, C1-C7

Weeks 5 & 6 (9/15 & 9/22): Contemporary Latin American Politics, Part II: Cases

Diamond, et al., C8-11 C13-C14, C18-19

Country presentations start

Weeks 7 & 8 (9/29 & 10/6): Mexico

Diamond, et al., C15-17

Domínguez and Fernández, Complete

Week 9 (10/13): Immigration

Citrin, Jack, Amy Lerman, Michael Murakami, and Kathryn Pearson. 2007. Testing Huntington: Is Hispanic Immigration a Threat to American Identity? Perspectives on Politics (March): 31-48.

Durand, Jorge, Douglas S. Massey and Rene M. Zenteno. 2001. Mexican Immigration to the United States: Continuities and Changes. Latin American Research Review 36, 1: 107-127

Jacoby, Tamar. 2006. Immigration Nation. Foreign Affairs. New York: 85, 6 (November/December)

Huntington, Samuel P. 2004. The Hispanic Challenge. Foreign Policy

Martin, Susan F. 2009. Waiting Games: The Politics of US Immigration Reform. Current History. 108,717 (April):160-166.

Presentations on Immigration Poluicy

Week 10 (10/20): Trade

Kevin P Gallagher, Kevin P. and Roberto Porzecanski. 2008. China Matters: China's Economic Impact in Latin America. Latin American Research Review. 43,1:185-200. [Available via ProQuest]

Flynn, Stephen E. 2000. Beyond Border Control. Foreign Affairs. 79,4 (November/December): 57-68.

Presentations on Trade Policy

Week 11 & 12 (10/27 & 11/3): North America

Abu-Laban, et al., complete

Week 13 & Week 14 (11/10 & 11/17): Colombia

Diamond, et al., C12

Crandall, complete

November 24: Fall Break

Week 15 (12/1): Drugs and Security

Isacson, “The w:st="on"U.S. Military in the War on Drugs” (Youngers and Rosin, Chapter 2), [hnadout]

Youngers, “The Collateral Damage of the U.S. War on Drugs: Conclusions and Recommendations” (Youngers and Rosin, Chapter 10) [handout]

Weeks, Gregory. 2006. Fighting Terrorism While Promoting Democracy: Competing Priorities in U.S. Journal of Third World Studies. 23, 2 (Fall). [ProQuest]

Presentations on Drug and Security Policy

Final Exam: December 3 (Thursday), 5-7pm.