IDS 197: Mexican Rural Development

ISOP-IDS-UCLA
Office: 1127A Bunche Hall, (310) 825-3141
Geography and International Development Studies

This course examines both historical and contemporary issues in Mexican rural development with an emphasis on changing government policy toward the farm sector since the Revolution of 1910. Reform in land distribution laws as well as programs in agricultural modernization will be examined from various perspectives small peasant sector, private farms and large-scale agro-industry. Our interdisciplinary approach includes cultural, economic, political and ecological dimensions of agriculture and other rural activities-forestry, cattle ranching, and coastal aquaculture. The impact of trade liberalization and policies and gradual phasing out of commodity price supports will also be examined with an emphasis on NAFTA. Regional differences in Mexican agriculture and social upheaval in some states will serve to highlight case studies in peasant revolts.

Prequisites: upper division standing or prior relevant coursework in social sciences (Latin American Studies, Geography, IDS, Chicano Studies, Poli Sci or Anthro).

Requirements: Two lectures and discussion per week, three midterm exams. There is no term paper or final exam. The third midterm is scheduled for the final exam period, Thursday, June 15, 3-6 p.m., but will only take one hour. Each midterm covers the 3 weeks pervious and there is no cumulative material for midterms 2 and 3.

Required Texts: available at ASUCLA Ackerman Union bookstore, amazon.com, varsitybooks.com, barnesandnoble.com, (UCSD for deJanvry via web and phone)

Barry, Tom, 1995, Zapata's Revenge: Free trade and the Farm Crisis in Mexico, South End Press, Boston, ISBN: 0-89608-499-x (pb)

Randall, Laura (ed.) 1996, Reforming Mexico's Agrarian Reform, M.E. Sharpe, Armonk, NY, ISBN 1-56324-644-9 (pb)

deJanvry, Gordillo, Sadoulet, 1997, Mexico's Second Agrarian Reform: Household and Community Responses, Ejido reform Research project, Center for US-Mexican Studies, UCSD, La Jolla, ISBN: 1-878367-30-7 (pb)