Social+Justice+in+Latin+America

Welcome, seniors!

Please fill in [|this contact information form] for our class if you would like to receive emails from me about our class.

Here is our class syllabus

** Final Project for Social Justice in Latin America ** After studying various movements in 20 th century Latin America, you embark on your own discovery and analysis of a current social justice movement operating in Latin America. You will demonstrate your ability to research a relevant movement, evaluate a variety of sources about this movement, discuss a movement with others, and present your findings to our class. All phases of this project are meant to be completed with the help of your peers, in groups of 4 or less. However, if you would like to complete this project individually, please speak to Ms. Fletcher about the possibility.

Research a movement currently working for social justice in Latin America. Report your decision to Ms. Fletcher (in class, or via email fletcherspanish@gmail.com ) to confirm that no other group is already presenting on this movement. Consider beginning your research by: Once you have selected and confirmed your movement, find __at least 5 reputable resources__ on this movement. These resources may include articles, websites, videos, and social media posts. As always evaluate the credibility of your source material. Who is creating this resource, why, and for whom?
 * __ Phase 1: Researching a movement, resources, and developing a basis of knowledge __**
 * Thinking about a group of least-advantaged people whom you would like to study. There are movements for the rights of women, children, indigenous people, afro-descendent people, disabled people, LGBT* people, and many more. If you have a cause that interests you here in the US, see if that cause has a similar movement in a Latin American country.
 * Thinking about a country or region that you would like to study. Many social justice movements are regional, and if you have a particular interest, let that guide you.
 *  Browse some of the news sites on social justice and cultural movements in Latin America, like [|www.remezcla.com] or [|www.nacla.org]

__** Phase 2: Share your findings with others **__ After you have completed your research, share what you have learned with at least 3 people outside of this course. These can be any friend, family member, or other adult in your life. Have a discussion with them about this movement, and record their opinions or impressions after hearing your explanation. If you do this through a general social media post, continue the discussion in some way until you have gotten feedback (in comment form) from at least 3 people.

__** Phase 3: Create a presentation of your findings and present to the class DUE BY START OF CLASS ON May 29, 2018. **__ Create a visual presentation (via PowerPoint, Prezi, or GoogleSlides) to present your findings. Your presentation should include your answers to the following questions: Plan for a presentation of 15-20 minutes, with all group members participating equally in the presentation. Prepare for Ms. Fletcher, and your classmates, to ask you questions about this movement and your findings in general, and be ready to show a deep understanding of your research.
 * What is the origin of this movement? How do they represent a fight for social justice? What is the breach of the social contract, and who is the least advantaged group in this case?
 * How has this movement evolved? What major events have shaped them, and how?
 * What is their ideology and what is their methodology?
 * To what extent are they or have they been successful? What are their current initiatives and largest obstacles?
 * When sharing this movement with others, what did you realize about this movement, yourself, those you spoke with, or discussions of social justice in general?
 * What resources did you use in your research (at least 5 reputable sources)?

Assignments: //(By unit, Due dates in **bold** as they are assigned in class)//
 * Unit 1 Reading: What is Social Justice? by Dr. Matthew Robinson//(one reading)//
 * [[file:What is Social Justice.docx]] (in docx format) or [[file:What is Social Justice.pdf]] (in pdf)
 * __Reading Guide questions: What Is Social Justice?͟ //**Due Wednesday, March 21**//__
 * 1. What is the social contract, and how is it related to social justice?
 * 2. Summarize the two principles in Rawls’ ͞justice as fairness͟ theory, in your own words. What is the relationship between these two principles?
 * 3. Rawls’ recognizes that true equality is impossible. But, when is inequality acceptable?
 * 4. What is Rawls’ definition of the ͞least advantaged͟ in a society? Do you agree with it?
 * 5. What does it mean that Miller believes that social justice ͞must not be Utopian? How does this relate to his definition of social justice?
 * 6. Explain the concepts of need, desert, and equality with specific examples.
 * 7. The concept of paying a living wage is discussed in the reading. Explain this scenario in terms of Miller’s ͞need, desert, and equality.
 * __Discussion questions for “United Fruit Company”__
 * What is Neruda’s tone in the opening stanza, and what is its purpose?
 * Who are “the unquiet heroe / who won greatness, / liberty, and banners”? Why does Neruda mention them?
 * Explore the imagery of the “flies”. What is it’s purpose? What does it highlight?
 * According to Neruda, what does United Fruit Company do to Latin America? What does it do to the people of Latin America?
 * __Classwork from the “Reperception survey” //**Due Monday, March 26**//__
 * Write a paragraph about what surprised you or what this survey highlights for you. How might your perceptions need to change?
 * [|Link to the American Fruit Companies video] from class
 * __**Discussion Questions for Socratic Smackdown:**__
 * 1) What do we mean when we say "social justice"? What are some of the important ideas to keep in mind as we discuss this concept?How will people's ideas of social justice differ, and is this important?
 * 2) Why do we want or need Social justice? What does it look like to fight for social justice well, or poorly? What arguments exist against social justice?
 * 3) What factors make social justice especially relevant in Latin America? What are some of the trends, traditions, and realities that influence SJ movements in LA?
 * 4) Who are some of the "least advantaged" populations in LA that SJ needs to focus on? What are the general challenges facing these populations?
 * //**As this is the first Socratic Smackdown, please be ready to turn in (digitally or by hand) your preparation for the discussion of one of the questions above. Your preparation should include: __Due Wednesday, March 28__**//
 * At least 4 claims, with evidence and reasoning, that answer your question
 * At least 3 questions to further discussion on your question
 * __First Reflection Paper:__ //As per the syllabus **__Due Friday, April 13, 2018.__**//
 * "These papers are your chance to gather together your thoughts on the articles and issues we have discussed and put forth your own conclusions. Your writing will be your own opinions; however it should still be texted-based, with proper citations. While the emphasis is always on quality over quantity, you should expect to spend a minimum of a full page on each paper."


 * Unit 2 Reading: Foundational Texts in Liberation Theology //(one PDF of many short readings from// [|Excerpts from the John Yu Document Collection])
 * [[file:Liberation Theology Reading.docx.pdf]]
 * __Reading Guide Questions__**__: //Due Monday, April 9, 2018//__**
 * //While you should read all of the excerpts on this page, each question will reference specific authors.//
 * 1) A "Christiology" is a way of interpreting Christ and the words in the Bible. According to Assman, what are the two basic types of Christiologies common among Christians today? What does he believe is the role of the Bible in our everyday experiences?
 * 2) One of the cofounders of Liberation Theology, Gustavo Gutiérrez, describes a necessary change in attitudes of the Latin American Christians. What was the (then) current attitude, and how does he believe it needs to change? Why does he believe this change in necessary?
 * 3) Another cofounder of Liberation Theology, Camilo Torres, says that “it is necessary for a Christian to be revolutionary.” How does he come to this conclusion?
 * 4) Many authors describe the role of the Church in society. According to specific authors, what should the Church’s role be?
 * __**Discussion Questions for Socratic**__ **Smackdown:**
 * 1) Does the Catholic Church have an obligation to work for social justice in Latin America? Why, or why not?
 * 2) How are the Church and members of the Church in a unique place to resist oppression and work for change, and how do they also maintain the established order? Should either be a priority, why?
 * 3) What are the basic tenets of Liberation Theology? Which scene in the movie was the most symbolic of the ideas of liberation theology, and why?
 * 4) Should those who work within the institutions that form the apparatus of oppression (such as the Catholic Church) be the ones to lead social justice movements? Is it possible to both work for the oppressors and against them?
 * __Second Reflection Paper:__ //As per the syllabus// **__Due 4/24/18__**
 * "These papers are your chance to gather together your thoughts on the articles and issues we have discussed and put forth your own conclusions. Your writing will be your own opinions; however it should still be texted-based, with proper citations. While the emphasis is always on quality over quantity, you should expect to spend a minimum of a full page on each paper."


 * Unit 3 Reading:(3 articles)
 * 1. [[file:Dirty War.pdf]]
 * 2.[[file:Las Madres.pdf]]
 * 3. [|Disappearances Today]
 * **__Reading Guide Questions:__** //**__Due 4/23/18__**//
 * 1) Consider the first document’s description of the “Dirty War.” How is the situation described a breach of the social contract? What group, in this case, has become the “least advantaged” in society?
 * 2) The article by Kurtz describes the Madres’ movement in more detail. What is the power inherent in the nature of the participants of “Las Madres de La Plaza de Mayo”? What do they symbolize, and why are they effective?
 * 3) What historical events affected this movement, and how?
 * 4) What tactics have they used to spread their message and create change?
 * 5) In what ways have they been successful, and in what ways have they not?
 * //[|Movie: "Las Abuelas de La Plaza de Mayo and the Search for Identity"]//
 * **__Socratic Smackdown Questions__**
 * 1. Was Argentina's Dirty War an example of terrorism by a government perpetrated on its citizens? Why or why not? In the future, how can we determine when a government has "gone too far"? What should the test be?
 * 2. One speaker in our movie said, "Your identity is a right." Do you agree? How does society create and shape our identities, and how does this fit into the social contract?
 * 3. How would you evaluate the events following the Dirty War in Las Madres' attempt to find justice? Have the Argentinian citizens had justice for the wrongs perpetrated against them during the Dirty War? What more, if any, ought to be done?
 * __4__. What elements are necessary to form a social justice movement like Liberation Theology or Las Madres? What do the two movements have in common? In your opinion, has either movement been successful? Why, or why not?
 * __Third Reflection Paper:__ As per the syllabus: **__Due__** //**__May 8__**//
 * "These papers are your chance to gather together your thoughts on the articles and issues we have discussed and put forth your own conclusions. Your writing will be your own opinions; however it should still be texted-based, with proper citations. While the emphasis is always on quality over quantity, you should expect to spend a minimum of a full page on each paper."


 * Unit 4 Reading: [[file:MST reading.pdf]]
 * **Reading Guide** **Questions: //__Due Friday, May 4.__//**
 * 1) What are the goals of MST, and why are they necessary in Brazil? What is the least advantaged population, in this case?
 * 2) Why is MST a significant movement for social justice in Brazil? What have its accomplishments been? What strategies has MST used to create change?
 * 3) What is agrarian reform? How is it more than just redistribution of land, in this case?
 * 4) How does ENFF play a role in the movement? How do settlements play a role in the movement?
 * 5) How does this movement compare to the other two we have seen so far?
 * **Classwork, 5/7 and 8:** Watch this [|video] and answer the questions you received in class.
 * __**Socratic Smackdown Questions: **__
 * What challenges face the MST, and how does this influence what they have done, can do, and should do? When is it (or is it ever acceptable for a social justice movement to break the law? How does the MST operate in an area of dubious legality, and is this acceptable, or not?
 * What are the multiple ramifications of the hydroelectric projects on the Xingu River? Who will be affected and how? What is the current state of these project? What is your opinion on them, and why?
 * How does the need for progress create challenges for the peoples and environment of Brazil? Who are the least advantaged in these cases, and how is the social contract violated? How are these challenges interconnected?
 * What models or questions should a government use when making decisions about its land, natural resources, and people? To whom does a government owe the most of its attention, when making decisions? How should it prioritize the needs of various groups?
 * __Fourth Reflection Paper:__ As per the syllabus: //**__Due, May 21__**//
 * "These papers are your chance to gather together your thoughts on the articles and issues we have discussed and put forth your own conclusions. Your writing will be your own opinions; however it should still be texted-based, with proper citations. While the emphasis is always on quality over quantity, you should expect to spend a minimum of a full page on each paper."


 * Unit 5 Reading: [[file:ZapatismoMovofMove.pdf]]
 * __**Reading Guide questions: Due May 16**__
 * 1) What events created the environment that allowed for the formation of the Zapatistas movement, and what specific effects did these events have?
 * 2) Explain the relationship between the Zapatistas and NAFTA.
 * 3) How have media and the internet played a role in the history of the Zapatistas?
 * 4) How is the EZLN both an international movement and a regionally-focused unit?
 * **Classwork 5/17, views on the Zapatistas**
 * View both movies below and respond to the following questions:
 * How does this video portray the movement? What seems to be the message of this video?
 * How does this video emphasize certain elements of the movement over others?
 * How credible do you find this portrayal, and why?
 * What questions remain for you after watching the two videos?
 * [|Who are the Zapatistas?] movie from Schools for Chiapas
 * [|The Zapatistas Uprising: 20 Years Later] movie from Vice News
 * Additional Articles for background:
 * [[file:Terrorism and Zapatistas.docx]]
 * [|For Zapatistas, revolution moves at a snail’s pace while global appeal endures]

>> 1. Conaie is a representation of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador. Explain the main conflict between the Ecuadorian indigenous peoples and the Ecuadorian state. >> 2. In what ways are the indigenous peoples of Ecuador denied equal rights? >> 3. What have been the main events in Conaie’s interactions with the government? >> 4. How has Conaie been effective so far? What will be Conaie’s future struggles, and how, in your opinion, should they proceed? >> 5. What is the occasion of this update on the status of Conaie? How has their relationship with the government changed in the 10 years between these articles? >> 6. Given this update, would you recommend a different course of action for Conaie? Why, or why not?  • What challenges face the MST, and how does this influence what they have done, can do, and should do? When is it (or is it ever acceptable for a social justice movement to break the law? How does the MST operate in an area of dubious legality, and is this acceptable, or not? • What are the multiple ramifications of the hydroelectric projects on the Xingu River? Who will be affected and how? What is the current state of these project? What is your opinion on them, and why?  • What other social justice challenges face the peoples and environment of Brazil? Who are the least advantaged in these cases, and how is the social contract being violated? How are these challenges interconnected?   What models or questions should a government use when making decisions about its land, natural resources, and people? To whom does a government owe the most of its attention, when making decisions? How should it prioritize the needs of various groups?
 * //((Current Spanish Elective is not doing Unit 2))//**
 * Unit 6 Reading //(Contains two articles)//: [[file:Conaie reading.docx]]
 * __**Reading Guide questions:**__
 * (First article)
 * (Second article)
 * Here is [|the video] on Indigenous People and the Democratic Process in Ecuador.