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BLM BA28 - Current Politics in Latin America*

Faculty
Rosalba Cazón, Jan Gustafsson, Maria Emilia Casco
Course Coordinator
Rosalba Cazón, Jan Gustafsson
Prerequisite/progression of the course
No specific or formal qualifications required. Some general knowledge about Latin American history and politics is an advantage.
Course content, structure and teaching
The course will consist of 10 teaching sessions (of two periods; once a week). The first session will be a general introduction to the course and the region (Latin America). The second will consist in an introduction to the current ‘status’ of the political situation and problems of the region, with particular emphasis in the ‘left turn’ of the former decade and the latest developments. The next seven sessions will contain 4-5 case studies, three of which will be: Bolivia, Venezuela and Chile. An additional case study can consist in another country study, a regional study (e.g. regional integration) and/or a study of current developments of Inter-American (hemispheric) relations.
Each session will have a teacher’s presentation. Students are also urged to do 10 minutes presentations.
The course's development of personal competences
  • Understanding of current political problems in Latin America, their background and development, including history, economics and other relevant disciplines.
  • General understanding of the current problems of Latin America in a regional and global context.
  • In-depth understanding of a case, which can be a country, a transnational problem or alike.
  • Ability of analysis and discussion in a written essay.
Type of examination, exam aids and assessment
A written assignment of 8-10 pages. Topic and problem definition has to be approved by teacher/examinator. Grade according to the 7-point scale, no second examiner
Recommended literature
(Background literature): Ronaldo Munck: Contemporary Latin America. Palgrave. A reading list for the course will follow.

Last updated by Elective Secretariat 20/08/2010