Each student will write a 4 to 5-page research essay where, on the basis of course material and other outside sources you will develop any topic that has been or will be discussed in class. Papers about topics related to Latin America popular culture, topics that are not included in the syllabus are also welcome. In order to get the outside sources any academic book or article from an academic journal is acceptable. Access to academic journals is possible through the Farmingdale State Library website. It is not going to be acceptable to use any internet source and absolutely not Wikipedia or AI generated papers. The topics can be, but not limited to:
Music: Tango, bolero, corrido, reggaetón, salsa
Movies: Mexican Golden Age Cinema, Argentinean movies, Brazilian cinema
Television- comedies, telenovelas
Sports connected to national identity, politics and/or imperialism
The papers have to fulfill college level quality in order to get a passing grade. The criteria that will be use for grading the paper are:
-good use of language (grammar, spelling, etc.)
-ideas and argument are organized
-use of references notes and bibliography in a standard academic way
-do not over use direct quotations
The paper should be 4-5 pages in length, typed (12 point font, 1″ margins, double-spaced), proofread, and if you choose to use citations these should be short –no more than a line or two. In-line references are fine (for books and articles include the author and page (example: Wasserman, p. 276); for lectures include “Lecture” and the date (example: Lecture, 2/23/24).
