COURSE REQUIREMENTS and GRADE BASIS:

  1. Reading all assigned and distributed materials.
  2. Map Quiz     (15%)     February 3
  3. Email Discussion of Four Weekly Questions    (25% = 5% each + Wk. 7 10%)  
  4. Web Site Discussion  (20%)
  5. Final Examination    (40%)   Thursday, May 12 at 2:20 p.m.
  6. Attendance
  1. READING - You are expected to complete all reading assignments prior to the weekly class meeting.
  2. MAP QUIZ - You are expected to know the basic map of Latin America: 20 countries, capital cities, and the key geographic features. The quiz grade will be as follows: no errors (A), no more than two major omissions (A-), or no more than three major omissions (B+), etc.  Errors include spelling.  See the maps in Hillman p. 12 and in the front of the  Ward book.
  3. Email commentaries on weekly questions.  Your are required to submit four written commentaries on assigned questions.  The commentary for week 7 will stand as a take-home midterm exam.  Note the class is divided into four groups on the basis of last name.  During the week when your last name group comes up you are to send me a 100-200 word discussion of the week's question.   The submission for week 7 should be about 750 words.  These are due by noon on the day of class.  You may be called upon in class that day to elaborate on your comments. 
       Groups:
        #1: Last names A to C: Weeks 2, 6, 7, 11
        #2: Last names D to H: Weeks 3, 7, 8, 12
        #3: Last names I to R:  Weeks 4, 7, 9, 13
        #4: Last names S to Z: Weeks 5, 7, 10, 14
  4. Web discussion of weekly question.  Each week you should look at the web discussion site for the course and participate in the written discussion.  Your comments should reflect  what you have learned about Latin America.  The minimum participation is ten thoughtful comments over ten different weeks.  Read what is already written and react to the work of others.
  5. FINAL EXAMINATION - A comprehensive essay examination will be given during the finals week.  
  6. ATTENDANCE - You are expected to attend all class meetings. If you miss more than the equivalent of one week your final grade will be lowered at least one grade level (i.e., A to B) for each week missed.