U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS Political Science 146A Peter H. Smith TA: Molly Hamilton.
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U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS Political Science 146A Peter H. Smith TA: Molly Hamilton
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Transcript of U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS Political Science 146A Peter H. Smith TA: Molly Hamilton.
U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS
Political Science 146A
Peter H. Smith
TA: Molly Hamilton
CONTACT INFO
• Office hours: Tuesday 3-5 p.m., SSB 364
• Office hours: TBA
Why This Course?
• Convenience or program requirements
• Economic opportunities, emerging markets
• Presence in southern California
• Insights on American society
• Perspectives on U.S. foreign policy:
How do strong countries treat weaker ones?
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?
Basic Assumptions
• International system based on tacit codes of conduct or “regimes”
• Regimes change according to distributions of power
• U.S. relations with Latin America thus take place within changing contexts (“regimes”)
• Latin America is more important to U.S. than is generally recognized
Design of the Course
• Course Structure and Conceptual Approaches
• Historical Trends1. The Imperial Era2. The Cold War3. Decade of Uncertainty: The 1990s4. 9/11 and the War on Terror
• The Post-Cold War Era
1. NAFTA and the Gospel of Free Trade
2. The Political Economy of Drug Trafficking
3. Migration and Latino Communities
• 9/11 and the War on Terror
1. George Bush: Neglect and Opportunity for Latin America
2. Barack Obama and the Politics of Hope (?)
A CAST OF CHARACTERS
Required Readings
• Smith, Talons of the Eagle, 3rd edition (2008)
• 146A Course Reader (~ $29)– http://www.universityreaders.com– “STUDENTS BUY HERE” in “Student Store”– Create an account or login– Follow instructions– Call 800.200.3908
Course Requirements
• Analytical paper: Monday, March 1 (50% of grade)
• Final exam: 3 hours, closed book (50%)
• Optional mid-term: distributed February 8, due February 22 (20% of grade, so 40% each for paper and final)
PARTING THOUGHTS
• Have fun in this course!
• Q: If ignorance is bliss, knowledge must be…. ?
