Clayton State University
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010

Ollantaytambo, Peru. Copyright Victoria Pasley

Latin American History
(Hybrid Course) 
HIST 3220

                                                                                                          Classroom:  T100 and Georgia View
Dr. Pasley                                                                                           Credit hours: 3
Office:  G214D                                                                                                         
E-mail: VictoriaPasley@clayton.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday 2 - 6 pm
W 10 pm –12.00 pm online

Course Description:
The history of Latin America from before the European arrival, through the era of colonialism and independence, to twentieth century national movements.

The course aims are to understand the political, economic, and social forces that have shaped Modern Latin America, paying particular attention to race, class, and gender, and to gain an understanding of the cultural exchanges between the Americas , Europe and Africa that have contributed to the making of Latin American cultures.

Pre-Requisites:
HIST 1112 (Survey of Modern World History) with a minimum US grade of C

Required Textbooks

• Skidmore, Thomas E. and Peter H. Smith. Modern Latin America (6^th edition) Oxford University Press 2005
• Andrews, George Reid. Afro-Latin America 1800-2000 Oxford University Press 2004
• Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. 100 years of Solitude, Perennial 2004
• Galeano, Eduardo. Open Veins of Latin America, Monthly Review Press, 1997 (It is important to get this edition).

Weekly Reading Schedule

Instructional Activities and Methodology
This is a hybrid course and knowledge of and use of Georgia View Vista is required. Classes on campus will consist of discussing the assigned materials (in groups and as a class)  as well as further elaboration of materials and viewing of videos and films. Students will be expected to participate liberally in class discussions as well as prepare questions on reading assignments from the text book and other articles and materials. We will also have online discussions.

Course Objectives
This course meets the following objectives of the history major. After taking this course students will be able to:
Identify and describe basic chronologies in  African history.
Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources. Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities.
Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources.
Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional documentation methods.
Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations. It also addresses Learning Outcomes 2-5, as adopted by the history faculty at Clayton State University .

Graduates of the history program at  Clayton State University will:
Identify and describe basic chronologies of U.S. and world history
Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources.
Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities.
Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources in libraries, archives, and other repositories of historical records.
Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional documentation methods.
Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations.

Computer Requirement:
Each CCSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CCSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm. 

Computer Use in This Course:
Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor and to take exams in Georgia View. You must also have access to CSU e-mail as I will be e-mailing the class with notices.

General Requirements

• Students must abide by the policies found in the Clayton State University Student Handbook and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities   Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. Excess absences will lead to loss in grade points. More than three absences will lead to a 5 percent  deduction on final grade.
• Class participation is of primary importance in this class as participation in discussions is part of your grade. Your questions, comments, and analysis are critical to making the class work.  
•   Please do not bring food to class. Drinks are fine.
•  Refrain from conversation during lectures, videos, and reports.
• To ensure fairness late assignments will not be accepted.  Broken printers and other equipment malfunctions are not an acceptable excuse for lateness. Do your paper well ahead of the due date.
• Students must abide by policies in the University Student Handbook
• Student must keep up with the readings and other assignments.
• University Policy states that NO CHILDREN are allowed in class
• Disruption of the Learning Environment. Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

CELL PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF BEFORE ENTERING CLASSROOM

Plagiarism
I take plagiarism very seriously. Please refer to student handbook  Clayton State University Student Handbook): No student will represent the work of others as his or her own. Themes, essays, term papers, tests, presentations and other similar assignments must be the work of the student submitting them. When direct quotations are used, they must be indicated and when the ideas of another are incorporated, they must be appropriately acknowledged. As a general rule if you use more than four words of someone else’s writing (including the internet) you must use quotations marks and cite the writer/source. Do not copy and paste from internet sites. It’s very important that you learn to paraphrase and use quotes sparingly.

Academic Misconduct:  Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Clayton State University 's academic misconduct policies can be found at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.  

Make-up exams will only be given in extreme circumstances. Students must provide written documentation of the reason why they cannot take the exam on time.

Course Objectives
This course meets the following objectives of the history major. After taking this course students will be able to:
Identify and describe basic chronologies in  Latin American History
Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources
Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities.
Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources.
Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional documentation methods.
Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations  
It also addresses Learning Outcomes 2-5, as adopted by the history faculty at Clayton State University  

Graduates of the history program at  Clayton State University will:

·         Identify and describe basic chronologies of U.S. and world history.

·         Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources.

·         Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities.

·         Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources in libraries, archives, and other
    repositories of historical records.

·         Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional
    documentation methods.

·         Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations.

Computer Requirement:
Each CCSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm. 

Computer Use in This Course:
Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course and all laptops must be off during screenings. This is ahybrid course so access and use of WebCT Vista is essential and required..  Please make sure you can access it before the first day of class..
Please make sure you can access CSU e-mail -- both WebCT and the course e-mail will be used in this course.

General Requirements

• Students must abide by the policies found in the Clayton State University Student Handbook and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities   Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. Excess absences will lead to loss in grade points. More than three absences will lead to a 5 percent  deduction on final grade.
• Class participation is of primary importance in this class as participation in discussions is part of your grade. Your questions, comments, and analysis are critical to making the class work.  
•   Please do not bring food to class. Drinks are fine.
•  Refrain from conversation during lectures, videos, and reports.
•  To ensure fairness late assignments may not be accepted and will lose grade points. DO NOT write your paper at the last minute. Broken printers and other equipment malfunctions are not an acceptable excuse for lateness. Do your paper well ahead of the due date.
• Students must abide by policies in the University Student Handbook
• Student must keep up with the readings and other assignments.
• University Policy states that NO CHILDREN are allowed in class

CELL PHONES MUST BE SWITCHED OFF BEFORE ENTERING CLASSROOM

Plagiarism
I take plagiarism very seriously. Please refer to student handbook  Clayton State University Student Handbook): No student will represent the work of others as his or her own. Themes, essays, term papers, tests, presentations and other similar assignments must be the work of the student submitting them. When direct quotations are used, they must be indicated and when the ideas of another are incorporated, they must be appropriately acknowledged. As a general rule if you use more than four words of someone else’s writing (including the internet) you must use quotations marks and cite the writer/source. Do not copy and paste from internet sites. It’s very important that you learn to paraphrase and use quotes sparingly.

Academic Misconduct:  Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Clayton State University 's academic misconduct policies can be found at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.  

Center for Academic Assistance (CAA): The CAA offers a variety of personalized academic services including staff and peer tutoring and multimedia instruction to all  Clayton State University students.  Standardized testing is offered through the Testing Center.  The CAA develops and coordinates online instructional resources, workshops, courses, and external labs teaching interdisciplinary academic skills. The Learning Support Program (COMPASS Testing Program, Regents Testing Program, and Learning Support and Regents Test Remediation courses) is also facilitated by the CAA.

The Americans with Disabilities Act: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted into law, July 26, 1992, guarantees individuals with disabilities in the United States protection form discrimination on the basis of disability. ADA extends civil rights protection for individuals with disabilities to employment in the private sector, transportation, public accommodation, services provided by state and local governments, and telecommunications relay services.  Clayton State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations for students and employees with disabilities. Information on ADA for students is available through the Disability Resource Center

University Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades. The purpose of the new policy is to increase retention.   Students who have poor class attendance records often do poorly in our courses.  The new policy is designed to emphasize to students that attending class is important and expected.

In this course attendance is essential. Class participation and attendance are part of your grade. Attendance will be taken in each class and if you are absent (no matter if your absence is excused or unexcused) it could jeopardize your overall performance in this course..  Taking good notes is necessary but not sufficient for doing well in the course.  Thus, if you do miss class, you must get the notes from another student.  Since this is a hybrid class your participation online is also part of your evaluation grade. This includes regularly logging in and reading assigned materials.

Make-up exams will only be given in extreme circumstances. Students must provide written documentation of the reason why they cannot take the exam on time.

Grading
A: 90%
B: 80%
C: 70%
D: 60%
F: Less than 60%

Assignments
Mid-term Exam: 20%
Final Exam 20%
Class participation (online and in class)  and all reading assignments 15% (Map and other quizzes may be included)
Online discussions including Open Veins of Latin America 10% (this will be ongoing throughout semester)
Research paper  25 % paper,
Reaction  paper on 100 Years of Solitude   10%
Please see instructions in WebCT
No student will achieve a grade of A if all projects are not completed

*Term Paper:6-8 pages. Each student will choose a topic in Latin American history.

You must use at least four books related to your topic. (They must appear in footnotes). You should include journal articles and use a minimum eight sources. Please consult with me either by e-mail or in person. In order to achieve an A you must complete all stages of the project on time. You may not rely on internet sources unless they are primary sources on the net (Check with me first). Wikipedia and other encyclopedias MAY NOT TO BE USED. You will get the best material and learn the most by consulting monographs on your topic. Papers must use Chicago footnotes and the paper should have citations throughout text --failure to properly cite sources will lead to a D or F.

      Hand in chosen topic
Hand in a list of books, articles and other sources as a properly formatted Bibliography

Important Dates
February 16th Topic due through WEBCT e-mail
February 23rd Reaction paper due 100 Years of Solitude (Read and Follow Instructions!)
March 2nd Mid Term Exam
March 5th Last Day to Withdraw
March 16th Paper bibliography due (WebCT e-mail or hard copy)
Research Paper due Tuesday April 20th
Last Day of class April 27th
Final Exam in final exam period (May 4-20)

Weekly Readings