Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - SA 815 G100

Theories of Latin American Development (4)

Class Number: 4831

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Asynthetic introduction to historical and contemporary theories of development in Latin America. Topics include political economy of development, sociological theories of development, an introduction to neoliberalsim, and the contemporary experience of globalization and development in Latin America. Students who have taken IS 815 or LAS 815 for credit may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores theories of international development through the lens of social and economic
issues in Latin America. Emphasis in this course is placed on social theory for understanding
development paradigms and does not require that students have background or research interests in
Latin America. Social theories that this course addresses include modernization theory, dependency,
theory, world systems theory, poststructuralism, and Foucauldian theories of power, among others.
We will also take a critical approach to development studies, paying careful attention to the ways a
theorist constructs, employs or challenges the very idea of “development.” This critical reading of
development literature will lead us to examine today’s pressing social issues in Latin America
including indigenous movements, migration, urban poverty, debt, neoliberalism, violence,
environmental politics and sustainability. As a graduate seminar, students will be expected to engage
not only class readings but also the writing and work-in-progress that they bring to the table.
Graduate students will also be encouraged to focus their research paper on a topic that is related to
their thesis and that will contribute to the ongoing development of their thesis prospectus. If the
student is working outside Latin America, they can focus their research paper on a theoretical
framework that will be of use to them. Finally, students will have the opportunity to workshop
drafts of their short essays in class and revise them prior to submission. Emphasis will be placed on
how students can improve as effective writers.

Grading

  • Short Essays (3 x15%) 45%
  • Presentation 5%
  • Participation/ Discussion Leading 15%
  • Research Paper 35%

REQUIREMENTS:

All graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be
assigned.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Daniel M. Goldstein. Owners of the Sidewalk: Security and Survival in the Informal City. Duke
University Press, 2016.

James Holston. Insurgent Citizenship: Disjunctions of Democracy and Modernity in Brazil. Princeton
University Press, 2008.

Ben R. Penglase. Living with Insecurity in a Brazilian Favela, Rutgers University Press, 2014.

Jason De Leon, The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail, University of
California Press, 2015.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS