Current Search: Latin America (x)
View All Items
- Title
- UNITED STATES COLD WAR POLICY, THE PEACE CORPS AND ITS VOLUNTEERS IN COLOMBIA IN THE 1960S.
- Creator
-
James, John, Crepeau, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
John F. Kennedy initiated the Peace Corps in 1961 at the height of the Cold War to provide needed manpower and promote understanding with the underdeveloped world. This study examines Peace Corps work in Colombia during the 1960s within the framework of U.S. Cold War policy. It explores the experiences of volunteers in Colombia and contrasts their accounts with Peace Corps reports and presentations to Congress. It intends to show the agency's assessment of volunteer work and how it...
Show moreJohn F. Kennedy initiated the Peace Corps in 1961 at the height of the Cold War to provide needed manpower and promote understanding with the underdeveloped world. This study examines Peace Corps work in Colombia during the 1960s within the framework of U.S. Cold War policy. It explores the experiences of volunteers in Colombia and contrasts their accounts with Peace Corps reports and presentations to Congress. It intends to show the agency's assessment of volunteer work and how it compares to the volunteers' views and Congressional reports. Although the Peace Corps presented some topics and themes expressed by volunteers, the thesis exposes the discrepancies that existed between Peace Corps reports and the volunteers' experiences. Volunteer accounts reveal that there were some criticisms and stories that the agency did not report. Furthermore, evidence sheds light on the obstacles volunteers encountered, how they were presented by the Peace Corps, as well as the value of volunteer work as perceived by volunteers. Finally, the Peace Corps articulated a goal of making friends in the underdeveloped world, and the accounts of the volunteers support the Peace Corps assertion that volunteers were successful in fostering relations and understanding in Colombia during the 1960s.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002114, ucf:47546
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002114
- Title
- COSTA RICA, PANAMA, AND NICARAGUA: EXPLAINING ECONOMIC SUCCESS LEVELS.
- Creator
-
Negy, Kevin, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Latin America is a region that has deep roots in Spanish colonialism. Since its independence, many countries in the region have heavily depended on agriculture exports to industrialized states to support their economies. This has led to political theorists to label Latin America as an area full of periphery countries that are exploited for resources by core countries. Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua were not the exception. In recent years, however, a noticeable difference between the...
Show moreLatin America is a region that has deep roots in Spanish colonialism. Since its independence, many countries in the region have heavily depended on agriculture exports to industrialized states to support their economies. This has led to political theorists to label Latin America as an area full of periphery countries that are exploited for resources by core countries. Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua were not the exception. In recent years, however, a noticeable difference between the economies of the countries has helped Costa Rica and Panama become more successful than Nicaragua, on the basis of GDP, GNI, and other similar measures. This thesis attempts to explain this economic difference by analyzing what type of relationship the three countries have had with the United States (which has acted as a regional hegemon) and analyzing how each country has handled economic dependence on agriculture. Through this comparative case study, the thesis tries to add to development and dependency theory literature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004416, ucf:45109
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004416
- Title
- THE MAZE.
- Creator
-
Vera Tata, Maria, Rodriguez Milanes, Cecilia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Many cities in Latin American countries are surrounded by slums. The inhabitants of the slums are often victims of corruption, famine and murder. The victims include everyone and especially affect the most vulnerable, women and children. They are the voiceless whose stories are lost and never told. Children who lack adult support have to pull from their inner strength to rise from hostile environments, nevertheless their lives are lived with ardor and immediacy, a way of life that is built...
Show moreMany cities in Latin American countries are surrounded by slums. The inhabitants of the slums are often victims of corruption, famine and murder. The victims include everyone and especially affect the most vulnerable, women and children. They are the voiceless whose stories are lost and never told. Children who lack adult support have to pull from their inner strength to rise from hostile environments, nevertheless their lives are lived with ardor and immediacy, a way of life that is built within a culturally-layered community. It is in those layers that not only pain but marvels can be found. My creative thesis, interconnected stories that are woven into a composite novel, focuses on the lives of children in the slums who are constantly beaten down by the chaotic and violent ambiance. These children are of different ages but of similar circumstances, who rise to the challenge, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004089, ucf:44783
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004089
- Title
- EXPERIENCES, ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE: A STUDY ON COSTA RICAN ADOLESCENTS.
- Creator
-
Mendez, Monica, Jasinski, Jana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Research in Latin America regarding interpersonal violence and adolescents is rare if not nonexistent. In a collaborative effort with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Women (INAMU), qualitative data were collected from three high schools and one after-school program from rural and urban locations of the Central Valley. The discussion groups/open-ended questionnaires were done with a total of 154 students ranging from ages 14 to 17 and grade levels 8th to...
Show moreResearch in Latin America regarding interpersonal violence and adolescents is rare if not nonexistent. In a collaborative effort with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Women (INAMU), qualitative data were collected from three high schools and one after-school program from rural and urban locations of the Central Valley. The discussion groups/open-ended questionnaires were done with a total of 154 students ranging from ages 14 to 17 and grade levels 8th to 12th. Information was obtained concerning students' perceptions, definitions and opinions on issues relating to interpersonal violence and gender roles and rules. The results show that the students made distinctions between acceptable and unacceptable uses of violence, supporting the idea behind a dichotomy of deviant and non-deviant interpersonal violence behaviors. In addition, students also recognized the overarching and detrimental existence of the machismo culture in society, which, in their eyes, perpetuates interpersonal violence. They were also generally unaware of any help that existed for abused adults, adolescents or children. Results show that the machismo culture that affects the socialization of adolescents is well recognized among adolescents and perceived as a detriment to people through gender role expectations and the use and perpetuation of interpersonal violence.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002105, ucf:47559
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002105
- Title
- A META-ANALYSIS OF NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA EPIDEMIOLOGY IN LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS.
- Creator
-
Zengotita, Brittany M, Samsam, Mohtashem, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a rare, autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease selectively affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. Relapsing NMO is nine times more prevalent in women than in men and approximately one-quarter of NMO patients have symptoms of another autoimmune disorder (National Institute of Health, 2019). NMO has not been linked to any genetic mutations and the cause of the disorder is unknown beyond the general understanding that the body produces anti-aquaporin-4...
Show moreNeuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a rare, autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease selectively affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. Relapsing NMO is nine times more prevalent in women than in men and approximately one-quarter of NMO patients have symptoms of another autoimmune disorder (National Institute of Health, 2019). NMO has not been linked to any genetic mutations and the cause of the disorder is unknown beyond the general understanding that the body produces anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4) which mistakenly attack cells in the nervous system. NMO affects roughly one percent of that of Multiple Sclerosis (4000-8000 patients total) in the United States, but prevalence rates are abnormally high in a handful of regions around the world, particularly among Latin America, where rates can reach up to 5/100,000 individuals. The results of this study predict that there is a connection between African genetics and NMO, but further studies will need to be conducted in more Latin America nations and other regions to determine prevalence rates as well as genetic analysis of affected individuals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000583, ucf:45659
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000583
- Title
- Gender and Social Capital: Implications for Women's Civic Engagement in Ecuador and Peru.
- Creator
-
Medina, Pamela, Bryer, Thomas, Kapucu, Naim, Feder, Lynette, Gau, Jacinta, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Civic engagement is a fundamental component of a healthy democracy, contributing to higher government accountability and overall improvement in (")good governance("). Civic engagement is particularly critical to subgroups which are under-represented in formal political structures, such as women, as it affords these groups the opportunity to voice their unique concerns. However, women participate less in many important forms of civic engagement. The United Nations and other international...
Show moreCivic engagement is a fundamental component of a healthy democracy, contributing to higher government accountability and overall improvement in (")good governance("). Civic engagement is particularly critical to subgroups which are under-represented in formal political structures, such as women, as it affords these groups the opportunity to voice their unique concerns. However, women participate less in many important forms of civic engagement. The United Nations and other international organizations have emphasized the importance of increasing women's voice and empowerment in an attempt to improve women's overall well-being, particularly in the developing world. Individual and contextual factors have demonstrated contributions toward influencing levels of civic engagement, but these effects only serve in partially explaining why women are less engaged. This study adds to this discussion by examining gender differences in the development and contribution of social capital (measured by networks and trust) to civic engagement within two young and developing democracies; Ecuador and Peru. The study finds that gender differences exist in how social capital is formed, but these differences don't explain women's decreased likelihood for engagement. Thus, social capital can be used to build civic engagement among both genders.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005842, ucf:50911
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005842
- Title
- PRO-GOVERNMENT MILITIAS AND THE LEGACY OF MILITARY RULE IN LATIN AMERICA.
- Creator
-
Mendelsohn, Alexander, Boutton, Andrew, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Currently Latin America experiences a phenomenon of widely varying levels of violence across the region. Many countries, such as El Salvador and Honduras, have exceptionally high murder rates upwards of 40 homicides per 100,000 people (UNODC 2015). Other countries, such as Uruguay and Argentina, have relatively low rates, below 10 homicides per 100,000 people (UNODC 2015). I believe this variation stems from the use of pro-government militias specifically employed in the past by military...
Show moreCurrently Latin America experiences a phenomenon of widely varying levels of violence across the region. Many countries, such as El Salvador and Honduras, have exceptionally high murder rates upwards of 40 homicides per 100,000 people (UNODC 2015). Other countries, such as Uruguay and Argentina, have relatively low rates, below 10 homicides per 100,000 people (UNODC 2015). I believe this variation stems from the use of pro-government militias specifically employed in the past by military governments as tools of suppression. Under the guise of combating subversive elements within their countries, these groups were used to silence and repress those who opposed the military governments. Employing civilians, active military, police officers and high-ranking government officials; these groups often carried clandestine and sometimes public ties to their governments. By examining the origins, afterlives, and level of control exerted over these pro-government militias in Argentina and El Salvador; this study aims to understand the role these groups played in the dispersion of violence throughout society ultimately accounting for the variation we see today.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000517, ucf:45660
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000517
- Title
- FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN VENEZUELA, COLOMBIA, AND ARGENTINA.
- Creator
-
Rios, Maria, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Over the last few decades the importance of human rights has increased considerably in international relations. With globalization and democratization, more states and individuals develop concerns about the fundamental rights every human is entitled to; regardless of sex, religion and ethnicity. Latin American countries began obtaining their independence over 200 years ago while progressing into becoming working democracies. Yet, they have been plagued by oscillating authoritarian regimes and...
Show moreOver the last few decades the importance of human rights has increased considerably in international relations. With globalization and democratization, more states and individuals develop concerns about the fundamental rights every human is entitled to; regardless of sex, religion and ethnicity. Latin American countries began obtaining their independence over 200 years ago while progressing into becoming working democracies. Yet, they have been plagued by oscillating authoritarian regimes and social conflicts that constrain and inhibit their hopeful development. The majority of the Latin American states have reached a point where further positive growth was expected; yet human violations have taken a backseat within the government of such countries. The case studies shed light on the three main causes of human right violations in Latin America. These are: the abuse of power by the government and the subsequent changes to the constitution to gain further control and authority; the government's inadequacy in dealing with subversive groups; and the deficiency of subsequent democratic governments to bring past offenders to trial for crimes against humanity while giving pardons to those who did face trial. By understanding why the violation of human rights occurred, future infringements can be avoided and fundamental rights will be awarded to all humans.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004115, ucf:44861
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004115
- Title
- Why is Democracy in Decline: Democratic Backsliding in Venezuela and Turkey.
- Creator
-
Bayraktar, Fatih, Ash, Konstantin, Wilson, Bruce, Dolan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
It has long been argued that the end of the 20th century marked the triumph of liberal democracy. The third wave of democracy has increased the number of democracies in the world unprecedentedly and gave hope to many that democratic revolution is underway. However, in the last decade, this democratization process seems to have halted; there has been decline both in the number and quality of democracies. This thesis proposes an agent-based theory of democratic backsliding. More specifically,...
Show moreIt has long been argued that the end of the 20th century marked the triumph of liberal democracy. The third wave of democracy has increased the number of democracies in the world unprecedentedly and gave hope to many that democratic revolution is underway. However, in the last decade, this democratization process seems to have halted; there has been decline both in the number and quality of democracies. This thesis proposes an agent-based theory of democratic backsliding. More specifically, it is argued that leaders with undemocratic normative preferences and their ability to mobilize previously persecuted segments of society are the driving factors behind the present-day authoritarian resurgence. While the leader's fight with the oppressors of the marginalized group can bring a short-term of democratization, we argue that the unconditional support given by the marginalized group to the leader can allow the leader to undermine democracy by removing the checks on his power. The paper attempts to investigate similarities in the process of democratic derogation in a comparative case study of Venezuela and Turkey. The study shows that the support given to Erdogan and Chavez by the previously persecuted groups in their respective countries, religious/conservatives in Turkey and poor in Venezuela, allowed both leaders to undermine democracy in a subtle and incremental way.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007155, ucf:52302
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007155
- Title
- CONNECTING VISUAL DESING AND HOFSTEDE'S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS: THE UNITED STATES, LATIN AMERICA AND SPAIN.
- Creator
-
McDonough, Suzanne, Flammia, Madelyn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
My thesis discusses whether culture can be used to predict visual design preferences in documentation and whether cultures with similar attributes demonstrate similar visual design preferences. The visual design of a document is an important element in effective communication to an audience. If the audience is outside the United States, it is important to understand the attributes of that culture to create documents that are most effective for the audience. Cultural theorist Geert Hofstede...
Show moreMy thesis discusses whether culture can be used to predict visual design preferences in documentation and whether cultures with similar attributes demonstrate similar visual design preferences. The visual design of a document is an important element in effective communication to an audience. If the audience is outside the United States, it is important to understand the attributes of that culture to create documents that are most effective for the audience. Cultural theorist Geert Hofstede describes cultural attributes in terms of six cultural dimensions: individualism versus collectivism, high versus low power distance, high versus low uncertainty avoidance, masculinity versus femininity, long-term versus short-term orientation, and indulgence versus restraint. This thesis explores whether we can identify visual design preferences in high uncertainty avoidance cultures and high power distance cultures, such as Spain and Latin American countries. To explore this topic, a study was done on sample report documents from a single company which operates in the United States, Latin America and Spain. Choosing only one company to collect samples from provided a way of discounting different corporate cultures as an influence on standards, tools and how documents are developed. As a framework for comparison of the documents, Kostelnick's visual design matrix was used to analyze the documents for graphics, data displays, document unifiers, decoding devices, and cuing devices. The results show that some elements of visual design can be predicted by cultural attribute, and there is a correlation between different cultures and their preference for similar design elements. For U.S. technical communicators working on documents for Latin American and Spanish audiences, documents need to be shorter in length with simple data displays and need to use more cuing devices to be effective for audiences in these cultures. This study also shows that for technical communicators designing documents for audiences in other cultures, studying the audience and the specific attributes of that culture will provide direction on how to design an effective technical document for that audience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003734, ucf:48766
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003734
- Title
- SOFT POWER AND HARD POWER APPROACHES IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY: A CASE STUDY COMPARISON IN LATIN AMERICA.
- Creator
-
Weinbrenner, John, Dolan, Chris, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of soft power versus hard power in U.S. policy towards Latin America. In recent years America's unipolar moment has been challenged from populist leaders in the region to its inability to get a handle on the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs that reach its shores. This thesis is a step to understanding the difference between power and influence as well as the effects of hard power and soft power in U.S. foreign policy. A...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of soft power versus hard power in U.S. policy towards Latin America. In recent years America's unipolar moment has been challenged from populist leaders in the region to its inability to get a handle on the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs that reach its shores. This thesis is a step to understanding the difference between power and influence as well as the effects of hard power and soft power in U.S. foreign policy. A historical comparative case study analysis has been conducted utilizing the cases of FDR's Good Neighbor policy and Reagan's contra war policies. This qualitative approach examined specific short-term and long-term goals of each policy and analyzed each strategy's ability to achieve those stated goals. The results of the study reveal that both soft and hard power approaches can have positive as well as negative effects on American influence in Latin America.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001600, ucf:47175
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001600
- Title
- An Analysis of 8th Grade Student Achievement of Private and Public Schools in the Dominican Republic in Rural and Urban Settings.
- Creator
-
Boyd, Daniel, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Lee, Doherty, Walter, Flanigan, Jacquelyn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in student academic achievement in private and public schools in the Dominican Republic in rural and urban settings. The 2016 8th Grade National Exams school mean scale scores were analyzed to determine if statistically significant differences existed among the different school types and school settings. There was a lack of literature on student academic achievement in the Dominican Republic, in particular on private and public school...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the difference in student academic achievement in private and public schools in the Dominican Republic in rural and urban settings. The 2016 8th Grade National Exams school mean scale scores were analyzed to determine if statistically significant differences existed among the different school types and school settings. There was a lack of literature on student academic achievement in the Dominican Republic, in particular on private and public school and rural and urban school students. The extant literature indicated that in the Dominican Republic, private school students historically had higher academic achievement on standardized exams than public school students. The higher student academic achievement of private school students followed the trend of student academic achievement in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study found statistically significant differences between private and public schools, rural private and rural public schools, and between urban private and urban public schools, in favor of private schools. These results provide evidence for school district leaders and school administrators to use in decision making about how to raise student academic achievement in rural and urban areas. The findings also contribute to the gap in literature on private and public school student academic achievement in the Dominican Republic and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007561, ucf:52613
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007561
- Title
- A PLURI-NATIONAL STATE: THE IMPACT OF THE MAS ON THE STATUS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN BOLIVIA.
- Creator
-
Medina, Pamela, Morales, Waltraud, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In 2005 the largely indigenous country of Bolivia elected its first indigenous president, Evo Morales of the Movement toward Socialism (MAS) Party. Morales ran on a promise of re-distributing wealth, to aid in the development of one of Latin America‟s poorest countries. Morales‟ first term in office marked a historical achievement for the indigenous movement in Bolivia, and sparked social change in the country. The government also experienced a momentous achievement through the re...
Show moreIn 2005 the largely indigenous country of Bolivia elected its first indigenous president, Evo Morales of the Movement toward Socialism (MAS) Party. Morales ran on a promise of re-distributing wealth, to aid in the development of one of Latin America‟s poorest countries. Morales‟ first term in office marked a historical achievement for the indigenous movement in Bolivia, and sparked social change in the country. The government also experienced a momentous achievement through the re-writing of the Bolivian constitution, acknowledging the country‟s multi-ethnic and pluri-national character. Although his social, domestic and foreign policies have been controversial, particularly in the United States, Morales was re-elected to serve a second term in 2009. This research analyzes the outcomes of Morales‟ policy changes during his first term in office, from 2006-2009 to examine how the election of the MAS has impacted the marginalized status of indigenous people in Bolivia.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003242, ucf:48561
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003242