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PLS/CLS 499 |
Spring 2005 |
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Contemporary Cuban Politics & Society |
Dr. Jose Vadi |
The Cuban revolution is one of the seminal events of Latin American twentieth century history. This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the forces that gave rise to the revolution, how the revolution has evolved, and how Cuban society has been transformed as a result of the revolution. Particular focused is placed on Cuba since the demise of the Soviet Union. In addition to readings and class discussions, we will review several films. Where appropriate, guest lecturers will lend their expertise to broaden our understanding of Cuban reality and of the revolutionary process. The main goal of the course is to provide a solid foundation for further study of Cuban reality.
Class Standards-Your grade will be based on your performance on two essay exams (midterm and final) as well as a research paper. For the midterm and final and you will be asked to respond to two from a set of questions that will be presented to you. The final will be given on the date designated in the official schedule of finals. The paper, the midterm, and the final will each account for 30% of your grade. The remaining 10% of your grade will be based on class participation.
Since we have only ten weekly meetings, each absence constitutes missing 10%
of the class. Therefore, two or more absences constitute poor attendance. You cannot participate in the class if you
are not in attendance and poor attendance will be reflected in a loss of 10
points of your grade. By remaining in the class, you are making a commitment of
four hours per week to the class and you are expected to be there for the full
time (i.e., return from class breaks). Attendance will be taken via a sign-up
sheet circulated in each class session.
Term Paper Guidelines-The term paper must cover an aspect of
contemporary Cuban social, political, or economic reality. Exceptions
incorporating other types of topics will be made for those with a specific
research agenda. The paper is to be 10 to 12 pages in textual length plus
endnotes and bibliography. Students are required to submit a research proposal
by the second meeting of the class. If you cannot develop a research topic on
your own, the instructor will assist you in developing a topic. A list of
sources on Cuba available at the Cal Poly library will also be provided.
Readings
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Required Texts: Max Azicri, Cuba Today and Tomorrow: Reinventing Socialism |
Readings on Reserve |
Louis Perez, Cuba: Between Reform and Revolution |
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Julio Garcia Luis (ed.) Cuban
Revolution Reader: A Documentary |
I. Prelude to Revolution (Weeks 1 and 2)
A. General Overview: The Spanish period, cultural fusion (syncretism) of
Spain, black Africa, and Arab Africa.
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Louis Perez, Cuba: Between Reform and Revolution, chapters 2, 3, and 4 are suggested. |
B. 1898: The Period of the Republic:
1. 1868-1878: The first war for
independence; sugar, race annexationism; U.S. interests in Cuba.
2. 1898-1958: Plattism and the
"protectorate;" U.S. interventions; the Cuban elite; the Machado
period; the revolution of
1933; the rise of gangster
politics.
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Louis Perez, Cuba: Between
Reform and Revolution, chapters. 8 and 9 |
II. The Revolution (Weeks 3, 4, and 5)
A: Revolution Without a Blueprint: The Experiment, 1959-1970
-Socioeconomic transformation
-Political transformation
-Transformation of values and culture
-U.S. relations (Bay of Pigs, embargo, Missile Crisis, diplomatic isolation of
Cuba)
-1967-1970 (death of Che Guevara, the 10
million ton sugar campaign, Cuba’s relations with the Soviet Union)
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Reading, Louis Perez: Cuba: Between Reform and Revolution,
chapters 10, 11 and 12. |
B: Institutionalization of the Cuban Revolution: 1970-1990
-The Soviet model as adopted in Cuba
-Constitutional and legal changes in Cuba (The Penal Code, The Family Act)
-Political change via Poder Popular (1974)
-Changes in education and social welfare
-Cuba's involvement in Africa
-Cuban diplomacy and foreign relations
-The Rectification Campaign and Cuba’s reaction to changes in the USSR in the
late 1980’s
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Reading: Cuban Revolution
Reader, essays 25-37 pp. 175-264 |
III. The Demise of the Soviet Union and its Impact on Cuba: 1990-2002
(Weeks 6, 7, 8, 9)
A. Overview: This section has to do with Cuba's military decline and
the redefined role for the military; the special period of austerity and its
impact on rationing; Cuba's struggle to maintain the gains (or logros) of the
revolution; the rise of tourism, dollarization of the black market, and growing
alienation in certain sectors of Cuban society.
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Reading: Max Azicri, Cuba
Today and Tomorrow, chapters 1 and 2; |
B. Domestic Changes
1. Rectification and austerity
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Reading: Max Azicri, Cuba
Today and Tomorrow, chapters 3 and 4 |
2. Political Reforms and the Special Period
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Reading: Max Azicri, Cuba
Today and Tomorrow, chapter 5 |
3. Economic Reform
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Max Azicri, Cuba
Tody and Tomorrow, chapters 6 and 7 |
Films: "Guantanamera" and “Fresa y Chocolate”
C. Cuba's Foreign Relations With the U.S. and the World, 1992-2005
1. Relations With the United States
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Reading: Max Azicri, Cuba Today and Tommorrow,
chapters 8 and 9 |
2. Relations With the World
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Reading: Max Azicri, Cuba
Today and Tomorrow, chapters 10 and 11 |
D. Cuba's Future: Reinventing Socialism?
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Reading: Max Azicri, Cuba
Today and Tomorrow, chapter 12 |
Office Hrs. Dr. Jose Vadi......... Location (94-312)
Tuesdays and Thursdays……. 3 P.M. to 4
P.M.
Wednesdays…………………..4 to 6 P.M.
Telephone: 869-3881 (I prefer
e-mail)
E-mail: jmvadi@csupomona.edu
Website: http://www.intranet.csupomona.edu/~jmvadi