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Schedule
Requirements
Resources
Bibliography
| Professor: Jordana Dym |
| Email:jdym@skidmore.edu |
| Phone:580-5272 |
| Office: TLC 326 |
| Office Hours: T, 2-3:15 or by appointment |
Skidmore College
HISTORY 361H
Topics in Latin America:
Contemporary
Central America
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
Participation
(Discussion Leading/Weekly Participation)
Comparative
Review Essay
Research
Paper (including Peer
Review)
1. Participation-25
% The participation grade will be divided for student leading
of discussion (10%) and student participation in weekly discussions
(15%). All students will be expected to come to class, keep up with weekly
readings and participate in class and section discussions. Instructor
will look for faithful attendance, prompt completion of weekly readings,
thoughtful participation, and a desire to create a friendly, respectful
and articulate atmosphere in the class room. Map quiz of week 2 will be
included in the participation grade.
2. Comparative Review Essay 15% Each student will write a thoughtful 5-7 page comparative review essay on one week's supplementary course materials, to be turned in to the class & professor 24 hours before the first day such materials are to be discussed in class. The review essay should analyze the materials by drawing from ideas raised in class and in the theoretical readings provided with each section. Each student will prepare a five minute presentation on the supplementary reading, and circulate at least 3 questions on the common reading, by e-mail, to classmates AT LEAST 24 HOURS before discussion of the readings. Signups for the discussion/review essays will be available in the second week of class.
Click for general writing tips
**Review essays should include: **
1. A statement of the main thesis of the writer's paper that indicates how/why this text adds to knowledge of the week's theme.
2. A comparative discussion of the selected texts, that might include their contradictory theses; why their authors claim they are relevant; their usefulness.
2. A 2-3 sentence introduction of the main evidence the authors use to support their theses (sources, theories, etc). **Do not allow summary to extend beyond this limit.**
3. Discussion of two points with which the student agrees.
4. Discussion of two points with which the student disagrees.
5. General reactions to the text
6. An evaluation of how--and how well--the reading addresses the theme of the unit.
7. Questions that remain regarding the issues of the text, or the manner of the author's discussion. Whether or not you would recommend the reading to other students, or other audiences.
See also History Dept. Prof. Patricia Lee's helpful hints, Guidelines for Writing a Critical Book Review.
4.
Research Paper-60%
To be divided as follows:
-- 10% Proposal
-- 7% Annotated Bibliography
--
8% Peer Review (see below)
-- 35% Final Draft
Peer Review (of Classmate's Research Paper)
Peer reviews will provide initial feed back to paper writers on clarity; appropriate use of citations/sources; appropriate style (paragraphs are topical, run-on sentences, spelling); thesis & conclusion. Professor will grade peer reviews on the basis of their thoroughness, collegiality & usefulness.
Research Papers may consider major themes discussed in the course or other themes of interest to the student, and may focus on any Latin American country or region in the 20th century. Additional themes could include: Gender; Tourism; Coping with Disasters; Urbanization; Mexico & Central America; Race/Class; Regional Conflict (i.e. Belize/Guatemala border; Honduras-El Salvador Soccer War, 1969), etc.