1. RACE, CLASS, AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE
LATI 50
Introduction to Latin America

2. OPTIONAL PAPER
Topic: Any subject related to Latin American politics, economics, history, culture and/or society (whether or not covered in class)—proposed by student and approved by TA
Examples: Sports (e.g. baseball), film (depictions of Latina women),
music (lyrics, popularity of stars, etc.), advertising (Corona beer)
In-class examples: Content of Latin American nationalism, impacts of drug wars (e.g., Plan Colombia or Plan Mérida), political implications of fiction, roles of public intellectuals, changing relations with the United States, forms of authoritarian rule
Length: 6-10 double-spaced pages
Due: Tuesday, June 4th
Grade share: 30% (reducing mid-term to 20%, final to 50%)

3. FORMAT FOR PAPER Introduce topic (and its importance)
Present a central question
Describe sources and methods (how will you answer your question?)
Analyze information and data
Conclusion:
Respond to your central question(s)
Suggest avenues for further research (optional)

4. CLASS STRUCTURE Upper Class: Middle Class: Popular/Lower Class:
Urban (industrialists, bankers)
Rural (landowners)
Middle Class:
Urban (merchants, lawyers, etc.)
Rural (small farmers)
Popular/Lower Class:
Urban (workers)
Rural (peasants, campesinos)
National Institutions:
State (including military)
Church
External Sector:
Economic (investors, merchants)
Political (foreign governments)

5. SHADINGS BY RACE Race as a social construct
Indigenous peoples: exploitation and discrimination
African-origin peoples and slavery
Myths of miscegenation:
Mestizaje and the “cosmic race” (raza cósmica)
Mulattos and Brazilian “escape hatch”

6. THE CONTEXT OF BOLIVIA War of the Pacific (1879-83) 80 % indigenous
Mining (silver, tin) and agriculture
Chaco War ( ) = incorporation
Revolution of 1952 = mobilization
Populist military rule (1970s-80s)
Coca leaf and campesinos
60 % indigenous
Evo Morales (2005-)