UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRACY IN TROUBLE: OAS TO THE RESCUE?
LALS 328/PSCI 328 Professor: Cathy Bartch, Ph.D. Class Times: TH 4:30-6 [email protected] Class Location: David Rittenhouse Laboratory ph: 215-898-9919, 267-475-2467 (cell) DRLB 3N1H Teaching Assistant: Maria Francesca Arruda 209 S. 33rd Street de Amaral (*Subject to change from week to week) [email protected] Office Hours: Fri (4-5) 215-582-4082 Office Location: 411 McNeil, 3718 Locust Walk Or at a time that is convenient
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Democracy in the Americas is in trouble. Entrenched political, economic, and social inequality, combined with environmental degradation, weak institutions, pervasive health epidemics, weapon proliferation, and other pressing issues pose formidable challenges for strengthening democratic ideals and institutions. The Organization of the American States (OAS), the world’s oldest regional organization, is uniquely poised to confront these challenges and is purposively focused to “strengthen the peace and security” and “promote and consolidate representative democracy” (among a host of other goals set forth in its Charter) across the continent. However, to what extent does the OAS ameliorate destructive conditions such as low levels of participation, extreme poverty, illegal arms trade, human rights abuses, among other problems related to democracy, development, security, and human rights, the organization’s main pillars?
In this course, students will delve into the role, history, and workings of the OAS and its political, economic, and societal impact in the region while working directly with Penn undergraduates in preparation for the OAS’ annual high school model OAS simulation in Washington, DC.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the course, students should: • Develop a solid understanding of the challenges to democracy in the Americas exploring what democracy means to the region. • Become familiar with the history, role, workings, practices, successes and challenges of the Organization of American States. • Gain knowledge of the OAS’ four pillars – security, democracy, human rights, and development – and how they apply to the region and one country in particular. • Gain a significant amount of knowledge of Latin America, and one country in particular • Strengthen and practice writing and public speaking skills, and improve critical thinking, analytical, and research skills.
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• Develop a solid understanding of the roles and responsibilities of being a diplomat at the OAS, how to write and pass policy proposals, how to engage in dialogue and diplomacy with other countries, and how to problem-solve on a global level. o Be able to more fully examine their own experiences, knowledge, and interest in societal problems, through participation in class discussions, the Model OAS simulation, and critical reflection of the readings. From this exploration, students should be able to propose and create ways to bring theory into praxis (practice) on a problem of their choice.
In addition to these course objectives, the Penn Model OAS high school students will: • Gain a first-hand view of what college life is like. • Interact with college students and faculty, and attend special seminars with guest speakers including diplomats, international scholars, and other invited guests. • Attend a fun, exciting, simulation in Washington DC with peers from the city, Norristown, and around the world. • Receive invitations to many events on Penn’s campus throughout the year. • Be encouraged to work with students and faculty in Latin American and Latino Studies in presenting research at a spring student Latin American studies conference.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The Penn Model High School OAS students must fulfill the following requirements to successfully complete this course:
• Attendance and participation in lectures and class activities (25%)
Students must attend the program every Thursday 4:30-6pm on Penn’s campus, November 28- November 30th in Washington, DC, and additional times as specified in the syllabus and or noted in class as required. (For instance, the program will be held on a few Tuesdays as well.)
It is imperative that students arrive to class on time. If you are late for a class, please call Professor Bartch or the TA Francesca Arruda de Amaral as soon as possible to notify them of the arrival time.
If you cannot attend due to illness, you must notify the TA or Professor by email or phone before class begins. In addition, a note from a doctor or parent is requested for any absence.
It is important for students to carefully and critically read the assigned works prior to class. This seminar employs structured, active, in-class learning, and thus students must be ready and willing to thoughtfully contribute to discussion, respectfully listen and respond to classmates’ comments, and engage in hands-on activities pertaining to the readings and class topics.
Students will be asked to submit short summaries (a few sentences to a paragraph) on each assigned reading to the TA. These should be prepared prior to class so that they are ready to submit at the end of a session (You may refer to them in class for discussion.)
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Students will also be asked to submit short writing reflection activities or other deliverables during some or most of the class sessions. Often these deliverables will be decided by the undergraduates preparing the lesson for the week.
Participation will be evaluated according to the following rubric: Outstanding = Regularly participates with thoughtful contributions to class discussion demonstrating a good reading of the material; Strong = Regularly or sometimes participates demonstrating a satisfactory reading of the material; Average= Sometimes or seldom participates demonstrating a satisfactory or less- than-satisfactory reading of the material.
• Reflection papers (20%)
You are required to write 2 (3-4 page, double-spaced) reflection, critical analysis papers in which you reflect upon the readings, class, events, and OAS preparation. Each paper should cite a minimum of three readings. You may use first person in these papers, and you are also encouraged to include notes from your experience. There will be prompts for each of these papers. It will be useful to center the paper around a theme or some question. Due Dates: Friday, October 19th and Monday, December 10th. Please send via email to [email protected] and [email protected].
• Attendance in Model OAS Simulation (11/28-11/30) including mock simulation on 11/20 (25%)
• Proposed Resolutions (10%)
Everyone will write one draft of a proposed resolution with an undergraduate student. We will build in time in the course for how to write and research these resolutions, critiquing other resolutions, and then revising submitted resolutions. Final resolution is due Tuesday, November 27th so that you can bring it with you to D.C. Please send via email to [email protected] and [email protected]. (Or your college student partner may submit it.)
• Final Presentation and sharing (10%) Students will prepare Power Point presentations in pairs to present about their experience throughout the semester and during the Model OAS simulation. What did you learn about challenges to democracy in Latin America and the role of the OAS? What were some of the topics you debated and explored during the simulation? What were some of the takeaways of your participation in this program? These are some of the items you are encouraged to explore for your final presentation. December 18th, 6-8pm.
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• Theory into Praxis Activity (10%)
How do we turn theoretical discussions and learning into action for change? In many ways, you will be doing this during the Model OAS simulation. This assignment gives you an additional opportunity to actualize your ideas pertaining to democracy in Latin America.
You are not required to engage in some grandiose, herculean task of creating an NGO to eradicate all inequality in Latin America, for instance. Rather, this assignment calls on you to take small action steps.
Some examples of action that you could choose from include:
• Writing a short, pithy letter to the editor on some issue pertaining to IOs in Latin America. I will share some guidelines for you. You will be highly encouraged to submit to a media outlet for publication. • Writing a column for a newspaper (i.e. school newspaper, etc.) • Calling a Congressperson, Senator, etc about an issue pertaining to Latin America that may relate to the work of an International Organization. You will have to document your call and write about the issue briefly (i.e. a paragraph. ) • Create an event about an issue of importance pertaining to class topics (could be a movie event, speaker, etc.) LALS may be able to help publicize this. • Attend a LALS event and write a review of the event, noting important themes and topics discussed. (i.e.paragraph)
Other ideas are welcome!
You can work individually or in groups for this project (Although if you choose to write the letter to the editor, which is a perfectly fine option, then you should do that individually. If you choose to do a column or a larger task, then I recommend working with others.)
This assignment can be carried out anytime during the semester, but the final day to submit this is Thursday, December 6th. Our last class (December 18th) will be a review of the semester and everyone will discuss their individual theory into praxis assignment. Attendance on this day is an important part of your grade on this assignment.
General Evaluation Rubric for writing assignments and tasks: Short reflection papers, written summaries of readings and class activities, as well as written resolutions will follow this general rubric: Superior = Outstanding, exceptionally written, well-referenced essay demonstrating mastery of the concepts and theories discussed in class and their interconnectedness; Above average = a well written, well-referenced essay revealing a good understanding of the concepts and theories covered in class and how they relate to larger course themes. It may lack a deeper understanding of the material compared to a superior paper; Average = A satisfactory or less than satisfactory essay revealing a lack of understanding of core concepts and their relation to one another. The essay lacks core references and shows a lack of preparation; Substandard = essay engages question or class material very little if at all showing inadequate understanding of concepts.
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Penn Model OAS high school participants will not be given a letter grade, but the course will be treated similarly to a pass/fail system and each student will receive an individual assessment at the end of the semester. You will also receive a completion certificate for the program.
Summary of Grade:
Attendance Participation 25% Reflection Papers 20% Model OAS Simulation 25% Proposed resolutions 10% Final presentation 10% Theory/Praxis Activity 10% Total 100%
Other Classroom policies and etiquette: Code of Academic Integrity: In fulfilling all the course requirements, the students must adhere to the principles and spirit of the Code of Academic Integrity, which is abridged at: http://provost.upenn.edu/policies/pennbook/2013/02/13/code-of-academic-integrity. Also, at http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/PORT/documentation/avoidingplagiarism.html you will find tips for avoiding plagiarism. If it is suspected that a violation to the Code of Academic Integrity might have taken place, the assignment will not be accepted.
Email: I will aim to respond to email within 48 hours of receiving it, but you should not expect email answers during weekends. Announcements about class will often be sent via email.
Students with Disabilities: Students may contact Penn’s Student Disabilities Services (SDS) or professor or program staff with any questions or concerns.
COURSE MATERIALS:
All required readings and other materials will be available via hard copy form. Electronic copies are available upon request.
Recommended Books (If you would like to look for further reference): • Skidmore, Thomas E., Peter H. Smith and James N. Green. 2014. Modern Latin America. 8th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press. • Routledge Handbook of Latin American Politics edited by Peter Kingstone and Deborah Yashar (2014).
Other Recommended sources: UNWire, New York Times, The Economist (can be found at Van Pelt Library), Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Latin American media outlets¸ Journal of Latin American Studies, Latin American Perspectives, Latin American
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Politics and Society, NACLA Report on the Americas, Americas Quarterly, Journal of Demcoracy, and a good website for journals in the region is http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/region/journals/. Also, you may want to research countries on the CIA Factbook, Freedom House, etc.
*Most importantly, you will be visiting the fantastic Penn library guide on the OAS. https://guides.library.upenn.edu/OAS Here are some other sites to visit:
Nacla Report on the Americas https://nacla.org
The Dialogue: Leadership for the Americas https://www.thedialogue.org/blogs/2016/07/reform-the-oas/
Youth Policy’s list of some IO’s in Latin America http://www.youthpolicy.org/mappings/regionalyouthscenes/latinamerica/actors/international/
Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assignments
WEEK 1 (9/13) (Introduction to the course will be on 9/6)
September 13 –Mexico, Latin America, and the OAS (class will run until 6:45) Meeting with former President Felipe Calderón of Mexico and Marian Vidaurri, advisor to the Organization of American States’ Secretary General Luis Almagro (6-6:45)
(*Class will meet in Perry World House, 3803 Locust Walk, at 4:30 P.M. Francesca and other LALS staff will be meeting students at the exit of their public transportation stop or an agreed upon meeting area.)
Required readings: (To be given on September 6th) • Skidmore, et al. 2014. “Mexico: The Taming of the Revolution” in Skidmore, Thomas et al. 2014. Modern Latin America: 8th Edition. (Read this chapter for a general understanding of the political and economic history of Mexico. • McCormick, Gladys and Matthew R. Clearly. 2018. “What Ails Mexican Democracy: Too Much Hope, Too Little Change” in Foreign Affairs. March 22, 2018. • About the OAS-- http://www.oas.org/en/about/who_we_are.asp • Feel free to look up general news articles.
Themes/Discussion Questions/Activities
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Please bring a question you may want to ask for President Calderón and Marian Vidaurri. If possible, please send the questions to Francesca and Professor Bartch by Wednesday 9/12 via email.
WEEK 2 (9/20)
September 20 – Chile
Visit The Other 9/11 exhibit in the Annenberg Center for the Performing Art, 3680 Walnut Street. (After visiting the exhibit, we will walk to the McNeil Building (3718 Locust Walk) for pizza and class.)
Required readings: • “Chile: Repression and Democracy” in Skidmore, Thomas E., Peter H. Smith and James N. Green. 2014. Modern Latin America. 8th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press. (pg. 268-293) (Read,but pay particular attention to 1973 and Pinochet regime) • O’Shaughnessy, Hugh. 2013. “Chilean Coup: 40 years ago I watched Pinochet crush a democratic dream.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/07/chile-coup-pinochet-allende • Dorfman, Ariel. (2016). “Now, America, You Know How Chileans Felt.”
Recommended • Watch part of the The Battle of Chile, Part 1. (on Amazon for $1.99). I will show parts in class prior to visiting the exhibit.
WEEK 3 (9/27 )
September 27 – Understanding democracy
(*Initial Meeting Location: Penn Card Center, Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut Street #219. (We will be in the upper level of the Penn Bookstore with documents for your library card. Please take the escalator up to the second level.))
We will then walk as a group to the class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street.
Required readings: (TBD, but tentatively).
• Dahl, Robert. 2000. “Chapter 4: What is Democracy?” in On Democracy. New Haven: Yale University Press. in (pg. 35-43). • OAS, Inter-American Democratic Charter. (Adopted by the General Assembly at its special session held in Lima, Peru, on September 11, 2001). • Weyland, Kurt. 2013. “Why Latin America is Becoming Less Democratic,” The Atlantic (Links to an external site.)
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Themes/Discussion Questions/Activities What is democracy and what can we expect of it? What are some challenges to democracy in Latin America? How does the OAS envision democracy in the Democratic Charter adopted in 2001?
Please bring a few sentences/ paragraph summary of the readings.
October 4- Fall Break- No Classes
WEEK 4 (10/11)
October 11 –Are youth the future of democracy?
(*We will meet in The Forum Room of Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics, 133 S. 36th Street.) Speakers: Yascha Mounk, Harvard University Julia Mead, New York Magazine Moderator: Kristen Ghodsee, Penn Required readings: • Mounk, Yasha. 2018. The People v. Democracy: Why Our Freedom is In Danger and How to Save It. Harvard University Press.Excerpts. • Mounk, Yascha. “The Case of Optimism” Podcast. http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/the_good_fight_podcast/2018/07/is_social_media _to_blame_for_the_rise_of_populism_or_will_it_allow_democracy.html • Mead, Julia. 2017. “Why Millennials aren’t afraid of Socialism.” https://www.thenation.com/article/why-millennials-arent-afraid-of-the-s-word/ • Sweigert, Michael. 2016. “Youth are driving change in Latin America” December 7, 2016. NDI- A Blog of the National Democratic Institute
Themes/Discussion Questions/Activities Please bring a summary of 2 of the readings (but read/watch all). Also, please bring a question you may like to ask the guest speakers. At the end of the event, students will be asked to hand in a reflection of the talk.
Some questions to consider- Are youth the future of democracy? What is the impact of social media? In your opinion, is it positive or negative?
October 12- Screening of Machuca, 4 P.M.-6P.M. (*We will meet in the The Forum Room of Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics, 133 S. 36th Street. Refreshments will be provided.)
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WEEK 5 (10/18)
October 18- Exploring Development and Human Rights in Latin America Class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street. Required Readings (TBD, but tentative)
• Human Rights Watch reports. Americas and Chile. • Cardenas, Sonia. 2010. Human Rights in Latin America: A Politics of Terror and Hope. University of Pennsylvania Press. Introduction. • UNDP. 2016. Multidimensional progress: well-being beyond income. Regional Human Development Report for Latin America and the Caribbean. 376 pgs. (Read over beginning to get an understanding of “multidimensional” development.”
Themes/Discussion Questions/Activities Discussion of development and human rights issues in Latin America with a look at the role of the OAS.
WEEK 6 (10/25)
October 25- Security and Resolution preparation
Class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street.
Required readings (TBD): • Pion-Berlin and Harold Trinkunas. 2011. “Latin America’s Growing Security Gap,” Journal of Democracy Vol. 22, N. 1 (2011) 39-53.
Themes/Discussion Questions/Activities
Discuss security and start preparing resolutions with Penn students.
WEEK 7 (11/1)
November 1st- OAS – A Closer look (Possible guest speaker and continue preparing)
Class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street.
Required readings:
• Perina, Rubén. 2015. The Organization of American States as the advocate and guardian of democracy: an insider’s critical assessment of its role in promoting and defending democracy. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. Excerpts
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WEEK 8 (11/8)
November 8- Working Resolutions/ Preparing for simulations
Class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street.
WEEK 9 (11/15)
November 15- Is Immigration Good or Bad for Democracy?
(*This class will be held in Perry World House, World Forum, 3803 Locust Walk. This forum is hosted by the Andrea Mitchell Center.)
Speakers: Chris Zepada-Milan, Berkeley. Ariane Chebel D’Appollonia, Political Science, Rutgers University
• Chris Zepada-Milan, Berkeley. 2017. Latino Mass Mobilization: Immigration, Racialization, and Activism. Excerpts. • Muggah, Robert. Et al. 2018. “The Stunning Scale of Latin America’s Migration Crisis.” Americas Quarterly. June 20, 2018. http://www.americasquarterly.org/content/stunning- scale-latin-americas-migration-crisis • https://spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/newsroom/immigration-policy-qa-spaa-professor-ariane- chebel-dappollonia
WEEK 10 (11/20)- This is a Tuesday.
Class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street.
• Model OAS Mock Simulation!
WEEK 11 (11/28-11/30)
• Model OAS Simulation
More details about transportation and accommodations to follow.
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WEEK 12 (12/6)
12/6 - Is America Becoming Less Democratic?
(Lecture sponsored by the Andrea Mitchell Center. Please meet in the Forum in Perleman Center for Political Science and Economics, 4:30 PM sharp.) Invited lecturers- Siva Vaidhavanathan, University of Virginia Ari Berman – The Nation
Readings • Vaidhavanthan, Siva. 2018. Antisocial Media: How Facebook Disconnects Us and Undermines Democracy. Oxford University Press. • Berman, Ari. July-August 2017. “American Democracy is now Under Siege by Both Cyber- Espionage and GOP Voter Suppression.” The Nation. https://www.thenation.com/article/american-democracy-is-now-under-siege-by-both- cyber-espionage-and-gop-voter-suppression/
WEEK 13 (12/18) (6-8pm)
Class location: DRLB 3N1H, 209 S. 33rd Street.
On Tuesday, December 18th from 6-8 pm
• Presentations, reflections, and certificates. Celebrating the end of the year!
*I (Professor Bartch) reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as I see fit.
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