LAH 6906: Argentina, 18th-20th C.
Prof. Mark D. Szuchman

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Department of History (Fall 2007)

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FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Department of History
Fall 2007

LAH 6906: Advanced Readings in Latin American History: Argentina
Dr. Mark D. Szuchman
Mon. 5:00 - 7:40 pm, ECS 451
Office Hours: Mondays 4:00 - 5:00 pm, ECS 453
szuchman@fiu.edu

Welcome to LAH 6906: Advanced Reading Seminar, “Argentina, 18th-20th Centuries.” This course will explore the historical development of the social, political and economic dimensions that the region of the Río de la Plata experienced, starting with the last third of the eighteenth century.

This is a reading seminar that explores the development of this key region of Latin America, where internalb and external factors combined in a complex set of relationships on the way to building the nation and developing the state. The coverage will include the broad scope of the late colonial and national periods. Emphasis will be given to the transition from the ancien régime to the nation-state by inspecting key themes, including regionalism, authoritarianism, political theory, immigration, economic development, pluralist politics, and populism.

The seminar’s modus operandi involves the use of digital skills for qualitative data entry and analysis that threads throughout the seminar’s activities. Each student will use computer and software tools to address readings, discussions and writing. Students will ...

  • use technology to advance their empirical findings and theoretical foundations
  • receive specialized desktop software designed for academic research, bibliography management and academic writing (FIU owns the software licenses but students who successfully complete the course with a B or better -- sorry, no “Incompletes”allowed -- will receive the CDs, and licenses will be transferred to their names)
  • attend software training in computer lab during the first 4 Saturday mornings

    • Weekly discussions on readings will be based on qualitative data analysis tools designed to enhance analytical and conceptualization skills (these methods will be instrumental in subsequent graduate courses, research and writing projects).

    In a special approach to this reading seminar, you will use technology to advance intellectually while attaining computer skills that will serve you very well in your other academic endeavors. You will be trained both in content and in the technological skills needed to make the most of content. Objectives thus involve both the intellectual and the behavioral: you are expected to extend your conceptual understanding of historical developments within one of the most vital regions of Latin America. Skills-building in conceptualization and in data handling will be complementary.

    Content blended with Technology. This symbiosis between content and skills will result in new organizational habits, strengthened working skills, and, most important, more sophisticated cognitive processes that will re-shape the way you go about your studies. Technological skills and software used in this seminar will be of special value to all who have to conduct research, write papers, or prepare for comprehensive examinations.

    Content. The seminar's detailed contents are on the course syllabus on this website. In general, the temporal coverage will roughly span the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. We will focus on several themes, including regionalism, political theory, authoritarianism, governance, economic development, pluralist politics, and populism among others.

    Technology. The use of technology is an integral component of the course, as is software training. The required software suite of applications, Nota Bene, is especially designed for academic usage, specifically, qualitative data entry, bibliographic management, and writing using academic styles. It serves as the mechanism for integrating content and technology. The effective use of the hardware and software represents a significant component of the grade because it will have an impact on student relationship to the course content. Students will use PC’s (optimally, laptops work best because they are brought to the seminar meetings where notes are updated in real-time into the database). Mac’s with PC emulation capabilities are also useful.

    For reasons dealing with software copyright protection, students will sign a contract stipulating their understanding of rights and obligations in these matters. The Nota Bene CDs will be distributed at the start of the semester. Students will receive training (mandatory) and support as part of the course. For additional information, go to the course syllabus.