566: Final Project

Final research project. Use your assigned country as a case study to look into one of the big questions we have been asking about Latin American history this term. The project should not be an overview of the country but it should focus on one important question about your country's history that sheds light on an issue relevant to Latin America more generally.

You will turn in a750- to 1250-word essay based on your research at the start of the finals block, 11:45 a.m. On Monday, May 27. The paper should include footnotes and a bibliography. See the sample bibliography and the citation guidelines documents attached to the bottom of this page for help with citing sources. The paper should be double spaced.

Your heading should include your name, the word count, and a descriptive title. Make sure to number your pages.

I will also ask a select few people to make a brief, formal presentation of their research to their peers during the finals block. Those chosen will be those who have not done their point person assignment, or have not contributed significantly to class discussions this term.

Research

Be sure to use quality sources for your research and don't just rely on online sources. Look on Biblion for a relevant book. Try the library databases. In JSTOR you can do a search in just "Latin American Studies," but for the most part JSTOR does not have sources newer than five years old. Other E-Resources that are helpful: Academic Search Premier; Country Reports; CQ Researacher. If these links don't work, go through the library website via E-Resources. Also, this looks promising: it has videos you can edit on a wide variety of topics: Academic Video Online.

See also:

BBC Country profiles: Gives history, statistics on all nations of the world. Also provides links to media Internet sites, indicating English editions.

Freedom House: Reports on state of democracy and civil liberties in countries around the world.

Make sure you properly cite your sources, using Chicago/Turabian formatting.

Some themes you might consider looking at in the context of your country

The Role of the U.S.

Corruption, is it more of a problem of the right or left?

The impact of Operation Car Wash and the Odebrecht scandal on your country.

Origins of the Pink Tide

Accomplishments of the Pink Tide

Does the Pink Tide advance or erode democracy?

What does populism look like?

The role and impact of the IMF and/or World Bank

"Unsustainable welfarism"

The role of China since the turn of the century

Appropriateness of the term "Pink Tide"

Is the "Pink Tide" over? Is the right rising again?

Hopeful signs