August 14, 2001

History 380 California State Dominguez Hills

Instructor: Dr. Olga Magdalena Lazin

California State Dominguez Hills University, Fall 2001
Office Hours: Monday 6pm, in SBS A-301
Office (in front of the History Secretariat)
Mondays 7pm
E-mail: olazin@ucla.edu

History of Latin American Women

Course Rationale

What is the role of women in the development of their countries? Why

is Latin America considered underdeveloped? Is it because it lacks natural
resources, people are lazy, ignorant, corrupt, or too fanatic about their
religion? We will examine the role of women during the process of
modernization in Latin America, and other economic and political forces,
which have impoverished Latin American countries. We will examine
attempts to alter Latin America’s unequal social and economic systems as
they relate to the early feminist movements since 1900.
Our focus is the spread human rights and women’s movements
throughout Latin America to this day. In doing so, we will examine
particularities of each country and variety of themes including the role of
indigenous women and their leaders throughout Latin America, the land
tenure system, religion, education, and women’s role in the revolutions.
The goal of this class is to understand Mexico and Latin America from
the perspective of the Latin Americanists rather than from the point of view
of the United States. It is important to understand, however, that women
activists network in advocacy organizations and gain more and more power in
the public sphere and the political arenas of their countries.
In this class we will view and analyze various films about Latin
American women made by Mexicans, Guatemalan, American, Argentinean
and others. Through these films, we will both critically analyze historical
developments in Latin America, as well as the assumptions and biases, which
go into making a film. Through this process, we will develop a deeper
appreciation for the complexities of Latin America, and the problems faced by
women in Latin America.
REQUIRED READINGS
 Donald F. Stevens, “Based on a True Story: Latin American History at the
Movies,” Scholarly Resources: Wilmington, 1997.

 "Women in Mexico: A Past Unveiled" by Julia Tunón Pablos, University of
Texas Press, Austin, 1999 (translated by Alan Hynds.).

- I, …Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala"

by Rigoberta Menchu, E. Burgos-Debray (Designer), Ann Wright,
Verso Books, 1987.
 Optional:
Latin American Women and the Search for Social Justice, by
Francesca Miller, University Press of New England/Hanover &
London, 1991.
These textbooks are available on reserve at the University Library.
--Weekly Class Handouts

GRADING: your score on the following will determine the grade in this
course:
3 Quizzes (worth 20 % each for a total of 60%)
3 Essays, 3 pages, double-spaced, based on Class Discussions
(each worth 10%). Discussion participation 10%

CLASS REQUIREMENTS:
 You are expected to attend class and required to read the material
covered in the lectures, readings, films, and for any announcements
made in class. Absences will negatively affect your grade. I
automatically drop any student who has more than 4 unexcused
absences.
 I absolutely do not discuss grades in class or during the class sessions,
for this, or any administrative or bureaucratic matter, you need to talk
to me after class or during office hours, also I encourage you to use e-
mail as a main form of communication with me.
 I encourage student’s informed participation in discussion during
lectures.
 Students must do the reading in anticipation of lectures and films is
absolutely required, students cannot ask questions or understand
lectures, let alone answer discussion questions if they don’t do the
reading and believe me, it shows during lecture when students do not
read. I strongly encourage students to ask me for help in clarifying
points or concepts in the readings during class, via e-mail, or during
office hours. I cannot overemphasize when I say that reading with a
purpose is imperative to obtain a good grade in this class.
 Do not leave class early.