Wendy Hunter

Course Description

This course will examine the major economic, political, and sociological developments of Brazil in the 20th and 21st centuries.   It will concentrate on the broad themes of state-led industrialization and economic management; the alternation of authoritarian politics and democratic government; and the multiple problems brought on by high levels of socio-economic inequality.   In addition to the many challenges that Brazil faces, the course will also examine the many opportunities the country has. 

The political topics to be covered include the institutions that allow elites to retain power and privilege.  Economic topics include recent moves toward increased globalization and the tapping of Amazonian resources.  Sociological subjects include the high rates of crime and related problems that have arisen from the pursuit of a development model that has led to extreme concentrations of wealth and record levels of income inequality.      

The course assumes no prior knowledge or prerequisites.   

Two books are required and are available for purchase at the University bookstore.  All other readings are available on Blackboard under Course Documents.

Grading Policy

Reading is due by the Tuesday session of each week.  It is imperative that students do the readings, reflect upon them, and come to class prepared to discuss them.  Class participation, which goes beyond simple attendance, will be a significant factor in the final grade.  There will be one quiz, two in-class examinations, an essay about a film, and a final take-home essay that reflects upon the course as a whole. Please bring a blue book to both exams. The instructions for the film essay are on Blackboard and I will hand out questions and instructions for the final essay well in advance of its due date.

Assignment:                                                    Grade Distribution                

Class participation                                          10 percent                    

Quiz                                                             10 percent                                

First in-class examination                               20 percent                              

Second in-class examination                           20 percent                                

Essay on film                                                 10 percent                              

Final take home essay                                    30 percent                                

This course will use plus/minus grades. Attendance will be accounted for as part of your class participation grade.

The final essay must be submitted at the beginning of the last class session.  There is a penalty of a full letter grade per day for late essays (both the film essay and the final essay).  I will not accept papers that are submitted via e-mail.

Texts

-       Skidmore, Thomas E. 2009. Brazil: Five Centuries of Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.

-       Bailey, Stanley. 2009. Legacies of Race: Identities, Attitudes, and Politics in Brazil. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Course Description

This course is a graduate-level introduction to Latin American politics.  It is designed to provide students with the theoretical and analytical tools to engage in cross-national study and research of political processes in Latin America.  It explores alternative theoretical approaches as well as substantive topics of major importance studied by scholars in the field.   Priority will be placed on critically examining the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to understanding political and economic change in the region.   The debates and theoretical currents that we will examine have been central not only in the study of Latin American politics but also in the development of the sub-discipline of Comparative Politics over the last thirty years.  

Course Requirements  

1. Seminar participation:  The success of the seminar will depend first and foremost upon the active engagement of students.  Barring extraordinary circumstances, students should always come prepared to discuss and debate the material.  You must contact me ahead of time if you plan to miss a session.  

2. Two position briefs. Twice during the semester students will write a brief (3-4 double-spaced pages in length) on the readings in response to questions that will be handed out. The same students who write for the week will lead off the class discussion.  Students will sign up to select these days.  

3. Two short essays.  Students will be required to write two short essays (6–8 double-spaced pages) that critically analyze the readings around given questions.  These essays must put forth and develop a thesis, not merely summarize/synthesize the readings. 

4. Final Assignment:  Students will be required to write a final integrative essay (10–12 double-spaced pages) in response to given questions OR come up with a research design for a proposed study. Instructions will follow on the latter. Doctoral students who plan on doing theses on Latin America are urged to consider the research design option.

Deadlines and Grade Determination

Seminar participation:  20 percent

Position papers:  5 percent each (students will sign up for two specific dates)

Two short essays:  20 percent each

Final Essay: 30 percent 

You should e-mail the class your position papers by 8:00 am on the day you will present.

Please submit the essays to my government department box by 4:00 of the day they are due.   I will not accept papers via e-mail.   Late papers will be penalized by 1/3 of a letter grade per day. 

Texts

Transitions from Authoritarian Rule. Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies, by Guillermo O'Donnell and Philippe C. Schmitter.  Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986. 

Democracy and the Left: Social Policy and Inequality in Latin America, by Evelyne Huber and John D. Stephens.  Chicago and London:  The University of Chicago Press. 

Leftist Governments in Latin America: Successes and Shortcomings, edited by Kurt Weyland, Raúl L. Madrid, and Wendy Hunter.  New York:  Cambridge University Press.

All other readings have been posted on Blackboard. 

Description: 

This course will examine the major economic, political, and sociological developments of Brazil in the 20th and 21st centuries.   It will concentrate on the broad themes of state-led industrialization and economic management; the alternation of authoritarian politics and democratic government; and the multiple challenges brought on by high levels of social inequality in the country.   More specifically, economic topics include recent moves toward increased globalization and the tapping of Amazonian resources.  Political topics to be covered include the institutions that have allowed elites to retain power and privilege.  Sociological subjects include the high rates of crime and related challenges that have arisen from the pursuit of a development model that has led to extreme concentrations of wealth and record levels of income inequality.  The course also examines recent policies designed to alleviate poverty and improve the country’s profile of inequality. 

Prerequisites:

None

Requirements and Grading:

Reading is due by the Tuesday session of each week.  It is imperative that students do the readings, reflect upon them, and come to class prepared to discuss them.  Class participation will be a significant factor in the final grade.  Attendance will be accounted for as part of the class participation grade.  There will be one quiz, two in-class examinations, and a final take-home essay that reflects upon the course as a whole. I will hand out questions for the final essay well in advance of the due date.   

Assignment:                     Grade Distribution     

 Class participation                    10 percent    

 Quiz                                        10 percent

First in-class examination           25 percent  

Second in-class examination      25 percent   

Final take home essay               30 percent   

This course will use plus/minus grades.

Texts for purchase:   

- Bailey, Stanley. 2009. Legacies of Race: Identities, Attitudes, and Politics in Brazil. Stanford : Stanford University Press.

- Skidmore, Thomas E. 2009. Brazil: Five Centuries of Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.

- Course Packet

Course Description

This course is a graduate-level introduction to Latin American politics.  It is designed to provide students with the theoretical and analytical tools to engage in cross-national study and research of political processes in Latin America.  It explores alternative theoretical approaches as well as substantive topics of major importance studied by scholars in the field.   Priority will be placed on critically examining the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to understanding political and economic change in the region.   The debates and theoretical currents that we will examine have been central not only in the study of Latin American politics but also in the development of the sub-discipline of Comparative Politics over the last thirty years.   

Book to Purchase

Transitions from Authoritarian Rule.  Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Democracies, by Guillermo O'Donnell and Philippe C. Schmitter.  Baltimore:  Johns Hopkins University Press,1986.  

Leftist Governments in Latin America:  Successes and Shortcomings, edited by Kurt Weyland, Raúl L. Madrid, and Wendy Hunter.  New York: Cambridge University Press.

Course Requirements   

1. Seminar participation:  The success of the seminar will depend first and foremost upon the active engagement of students.  Barring extraordinary circumstances, students should always come prepared to discuss and debate the material.  You must contact me ahead of time if you plan to miss a session.  

2. Two position papers. Twice during the semester students will write a very short paper (2-3 pages in length) on the readings in response to questions that will be handed out. The same students that write for the week will lead off the class discussion.  Students will sign up to select these days. 

 3. Two short essays.  Students will be required to write two short essays (6–8 pages) that critically analyze the readings around given questions.  These essays must put forth and develop a thesis, not merely summarize/synthesize the readings.  

4. Final essay.  Students will be required to write a final integrative essay (10–12 pages) in response to given questions.      

No prerequisites

This course will examine the major economic, political, and sociological developments of 

Brazil in the 20th and 21st centuries.   It will concentrate on the broad themes of state-led 

industrialization and economic management; the alternation of authoritarian politics and 

democratic government; and the multiple problems brought on by high levels of socio- 

economic inequality.   In addition to the many challenges that Brazil faces, the course 

will also examine the many opportunities the country has.   

  The political topics to be covered include the institutions that allow elites to 

retain power and privilege.  Economic topics include recent moves toward increased 

globalization and the tapping of Amazonian resources.  Sociological subjects include the 

high rates of crime and related problems that have arisen from the pursuit of a 

development model that has led to extreme concentrations of wealth and record levels of 

income inequality.       

coming soon