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2010/2011  KAN-MLEAMAS3  Markets of the Western Hemisphere

English Title
Markets of the Western Hemisphere

Course Information

Language English
Point 15 ECTS (450 SAT)
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Course Period Spring
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study Board
Study Board for MA in International Business Communication
Course Coordinator
Merete Borch
Main Category of the Course
  • Economics, macro economics and managerial economics
  • Globalization, International Business, markets and studies

Taught under Open University-Taught under open university.
Last updated on 29 maj 2012
Learning Objectives
The succesful candidate must be able must be able to (in the exam paper as well as in the oral defense):
  • define and analyse an economic or market oriented problem or issue and relate this to other relevant knowledge about for example culture or society
  • demonstrate knowledge about macroeconomic trends, market conditions and business opportunities in the contemporary US
  • discuss competing perspectives on the development of the US economy and the different approaches adopted by economic and social commentators
  • draw meaningful contrasts and comparisons between the markets in the US, Denmark and other selected countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia
  • show knowledge of and familiarity with the models, terms and concepts associated with the study of political economy
  • show knowledge and understanding of non-economic indicators such as those measuring health and social well-being
  • convey information and make reasoned judgements about the character of the US and other economies in a concise and effective way
Prerequisite
BA-level knowledge of American studies (the USA and Latin America) is a prerequisite for joining this course. It is assumed that students have specific knowledge of the history, politics, economy and markets of the Americas when participating in the course History as in Goldfield, D. et al. The American Journey Combined/Concise ed. (New York: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008) Thomas E. Skidmore & Peter H. Smith, Modern Latin America, Sixth edition (Oxford University Press, 2005) Politics as in Charles Blake, Politics in Latin America, 2nd edition (New York: Houghton-Mifflin, 2008) Carlos Scartascini, Ernesto Stein and Mariano Tommasi, eds. How Democracy Works: Institutions, and Actors in Latin American Policymaking (Washington, D.C.: Interamerican Development Bank, 2010) Edward Ashbee and Colleen Harris, US Politics Today - 3rd edition (Manchester UP, 2010). Economy and markets as in Patrice Franko, The Puzzle of Latin America Economic Development (3rd edition) (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007) Peter Kingstone, The Political Economy of Latin America: Reflections on Neoliberalism and Development (Routledge, 2011) Edward Ashbee, The US Economy Today (Manchester University Press, 2010)
Examination
Written individual paper of 12-14 pages (1800 units), followed by oral exam, 30 mins. Subject to be approved by teacher.
Exam Period May/June
Examination
• Language: English

Assessment: according to the 7-point scale. There will be an overall assessment of the paper and the oral exam.

Censur: external
ECTS-point: 15

Re-take will be according to the ordinary rules in case the student presents him-or herself for the exam at a later session.
• Students who wish to present themselves for a re-take in the same session as the ordinary exam may chose to present an approved version or a new version of theri exam paper.
• In the case of long-term illness: If a student has handed in the exam paper in time, but has ben unable to sit for the oral exam accordning to § 40, sect.3, of the Study Regulations he og she may present him/herself to an oral exam on the basis of the same paper at a later orinary exam session where it s the subject is offered.
Prerequisites for Attending the Exam
It is a prerequiste that all mandatory term papers have been approved by the teacher.
Course Content

The aim of the course is to strengthen student knowledge of general and specific conditions concerning markets and macroeconomics in the Western Hemisphere as well as to strengthen their ability to define and analyse concrete issues relevant for economic relations between Denmark and countries and regions in the Western Hemisphere. Furthermore it is the aim of the course to strengthen the general analytical skills of students and their ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources. Students will learn to assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of various economic systems and will thus be able to offer Danish and other European businesses in-depth knowledge about economic factors in the Western Hemisphere.

The main emphasis is on an in-depth treatment of one or more themes which provide an empirical point of departure for a general discussion of market conditions in the USA and Latin America.

Teaching Methods
The course will be taught in English. Requirements for the course are thorough preparation of the assigned reading for each lesson, including any pre-set questions relating to the texts, and active participation in discussions. Teachers may use occasional tests to check progress, and students write up to two obligatory papers up to a total of 8 pages (one page = 1800 units) which must be passed in order to sit the examination. Students write an exam home paper on either a topic relating to the U.S. or the Latin American part of the course. Some supervision is provided by the course teacher. The exam also consists of an oral defence of the written exam paper.
Student Workload
Lectures - including reading an preparation 144 hours
Class asignment(s) 10 hours
Exam paper 56 hours
Oral Exam 15 hours
Further Information

Tuition takes place in English

Literature

A bibliography and a lecture plan will be on the course site at the beginning of the semester.

Suggested bibliography (subject to change):

Dean Baker (2007), The United States since 1980. CUP

Annette Bernhardt et al (2008) The Gloves-off Economy: Workplace Standards at the Bottom of America'sLabor Market(Labor and Employment Relations Association) pp137-162

James M.Cypher: Shifting Developmental Paradigms in Latin America. Is neo-liberalism history? (Ch.3 pp31-58, Esteban Pérez Caldentey and Matías Vernengo (2007) Ideas, Policies andEconomic Development in the Americas. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge)

Louise Fawcett: The Origins and Development of the Regional Idea in the Americas. (Ch. 2 pp27-51, Louise Fawcett and Monica Serrano (eds) (2005), Regionalism andGovernance in the Americas. Continental Drift. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Felipe Frydman: Mercosur and the US. No finishing date(Ch.8 pp96-104, Joseph A.McKinney and H.Stephen Gardner (eds) (2008) EconomicIntegration inEurope and the Americas.Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge

Stephen Greenhouse (2009): The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker. AnchorBooks. pp35-48; 98-116

Jean B.Grugel: New Regionalism and Modes of Governance – Comparing US and EU Strategies inLatin America (European Journal of International Relations, 2004; 10; pp603-622)

Eric Hershberg: Globalization and Labor: Reflections on Contemporary Latin America.(International Labor and Working Class History, 2007; 72; pp164-172)

Andrew Hurrell: Hegemony and Regional Governance in the Americas.In: Louise Fawcett and Monica Serrano (eds) (2005), Regionalism and Governance in theAmericas. Continental Drift. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, (pp185-207)

Thomas A. Kochan et al., Workplace Innovation and Labor Policy Leadership (CEPR, 2009).

Nelson Lichtenstein, State of the Union: A Century of American Labor (2002) Princeton University Press

Mario A. Marconini: The FTAA-WTO divide: the political economy of low ambition. (Ch.4 pp46-59, Joseph A.McKinney and H.Stephen Gardner (eds) (2008) EconomicIntegration in Europe and the Americas.Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge)

Paul OstermanSecuring Prosperity: The American Labor Market: How It Has Changed and What to Doabout It(2000) Princeton University Press. pp3-19; 32-68

Jorge Mario Sánchez-Egozcue and Lourdes Regueiro Bello: Latin America vis-à-vis the FTAA:Between Relaunching and Alternatives.(Ch. 7 pp129-156, Gary Prevost and Carlos Oliva Campos (2007) The Bush Doctrine andLatin America New York, Palgrave Macmillan)

Morales, Isidro (2008), Post-NAFTA North America. Reshaping the Economic and Political Governance of aChanging Region,Basingstoke, UK; New York, USA: Palgrave Macmillan.(pp24-37; pp 169-170 & 180-194; pp195-202)

Will Petrik: Ramming the Matter Home: Peru-U.S. FTA Rushed, Diluted, and Finagled(COHA, January 28th, 2009)

Walter Powell, The Capitalist Firm in the 21st Century: Emerging Patterns, in Paul DiMaggio, ed., TheTwenty-First Century Firm: Changing Economic Organization in International Perspective, (2001)Princeton University Press

Gary Prevost and Carlos Oliva Campos (2007) The Bush Doctrine and Latin America. New York, Palgrave Macmillan, (pp1-8)

Gabriele Tondl: Trade and Integration in Latin America and with its Main Trading Partners. (pp17-36, Gabriele Tondl (ed.) (2008) Trade, Integration and Economic Development. TheEU and Latin America.Wien: Springer-Verlag)

UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC): Latin America and theCaribbean inthe World Economy 2008-2009. Crisis and opportunities for regionalcooperation. (ECLAC Briefing Paper. August 2009)

Pedro da Motta Veiga: Brazil’s Trade Policy: Moving Away from Old Paradigms? (In Lael Brainard and Leonardo Matinez-Diaz (eds), Brazil as an Economic Superpower?

Understanding Brazil’s Changing Role in the Global Economy (Washington DC: BrookingsInstitution Press, forthcoming) 26 pages