Time Schedule:
Julie Shayne
BIS 363
Bothell Campus
Examines the Americas as a geographical and historical region. Applies a variety of approaches to specific topics and events, with particular attention to the interplay of politics and culture. Stresses interaction of local, regional, and global dynamics such as colonialism, migration, and slavery. Stresses diverse interpretive approaches within American Studies.
Class description
"Conflict and Connection in the Americas." This course will analyze gender, politics, and economy in the Americas via the cases of El Salvador, Chile, and Cuba. For each country we will examine questions related to gender and revolution, political history, and economy. The histories, politics, and economies of all three countries are all intimately connected to US foreign policies, another theme that will run through the entire course. This class seeks to address a host of complicated and interrelated questions including: What causes revolution and political upheaval? What roles have women played in these movements? How is the economy related to politics and gender and vice versa? How do people politically organize under repressive States? And how has neoliberalism impacted the daily lives of Latin Americans?
Student learning goals
1)Students should be strong and capable writers by the end of the quarter.
2)Students should be able to make connections between historical and contemporary events.
3)Students should have extensive knowledge of late twentieth century histories of El Salvador, Chile, and Cuba.
4)Students should be very familiar with the patterns of US involvement in the politics and economies of the region.
5)Students should understand the place of gender in politics.
6)Students should see the interconnection between politics and economy.
General method of instruction
The course will be a mix of lecture, class discussion, and if need be, small group discussions. We will use a variety of different types of text including: Films, Fiction, Social Science, History, and Testimonies. Tentative list of required books: 1) Modern Latin America by Thomas Skidmore and Peter Smith 2) Latin America Transformed: Globalization and Modernity Edited by Robert Gwynne 3) The Revolution Question: Feminisms in El Salvador, Chile, and Cuba by Julie Shayne 4) Guerrilla Warfare by Che Guevara
Recommended preparation
Nothing required but you may contact me for the syllabus
Class assignments and grading
This is a writing intensive course
Grades will be based on sound analysis, clear writing, informed class participation, and attention to detail.
