U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS Political Science 146A Peter H. Smith TA: Kathryn Dove
CONTACT INFO Office hours: Wednesday 2-4, SSB 364 Website: –Polisci.ucsd.edu/faculty/smith/html –Dss/ucsd.edu/~phsmith/teaching/htm Monday 4:30-5:30 and Thursday 1-2 SSB 320
Key Questions What is the current state of U.S. relations with Latin America? What (if anything) is unique or “new” about the present situation? How much have we seen before? Where is the relationship headed? What might the future hold? Subtext: strong vs. weak, disparity in power
Design of the Course Course Structure and Conceptual Approaches Historical Stages 1. Imperialism in the Americas 2. Cold War in the Americas 3. After the Cold War: From Geopolitics to Geoeconomics
The Contemporary Scene: 9/11- present 1. The War on Terror and Global Realities 2. Neglect and Opportunity for Latin America 3. The Political Economy of Drug Trafficking 4.Migration and Latino Communities
5. Barack Obama and the Politics of Hope (?) 6. Conclusion and Review
POINTS OF ENTRY Readings: –Smith, Talons of the Eagle –Domínguez and Fernández de Castro, Contemporary U.S.-Latin American Relations –POLI 146A Course Reader Videos (as shown) Guest speakers
TO PURCHASE COURSE READER University Readers – –“STUDENTS BUY HERE” in “Student Store” –Create an account or login –Follow instructions –Call
ASSIGNMENTS AND DATES February 19: “mock” midterm March 7: page analytical papers (50% of course grade) TBA: Closed-book final exam (50% of course grade)
“MISSING” How accurate the factual detail? Role of Chilean military and/or Pinochet? Degree of U.S. complicity? Why the powerful so fearful? Could such a thing happen today? Why or why not? Where or where not?
A CAST OF CHARACTERS
PARTING THOUGHTS Have fun in this course! Q: If ignorance is bliss, knowledge must be…. ?