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2011/2012  KAN-MLEAM_AS3  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
  • Kevin McGovern - Department of International Culture and Communication Studies
Main Category of the Course
  • Globalization, International Business, markets and studies
  • Economics, macro economics and managerial economics

Taught under Open University-Taught under open university.
Last updated on 29 maj 2012
Learning Objectives
The succesful candidate 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 (USA and Latin America). Students should have specific knowledge of the history, politics, economy and markets of the Americas when participating in the course. See below under Course Contents for suggested prior reading.
Examination
Markets of the Western Hemisphere
Markets of the Western Hemisphere:
Assessment Oral with Written Assignment
Marking Scale 7-step scale
Censorship External examiners
Exam Period Summer Term
Aids Please, see the detailed regulations below
Duration 30 Minutes
Examination
Written individual paper (take home exam) of 12-14 pages (2275 characters, incl. spaces), followed by oral exam, 30 mins. Subject to be approved by the professor. Part of the paper may be written during the last part of the course.

• Language: English

There will be an overall assessment of the paper and the oral exam.

Re-take will be according to the ordinary rules in case the student presents him-or herself for the exam at a later session.
• If the student has handed in the take-home exam on time, but is unable to be present at the oral presentation due to illness or similar or has failed to appear for the oral presentation he or she may register for a re-take of the oral presentation on the basis of the same, an improved or a new paper in the same exam period according to the examination plan for re-takes.
Prerequisites for Attending the Exam
It is a prerequiste that all mandatory term papers dealing with themes treated in the course (up to a maximum of 8 pages (a 2275 characters, incl. spaces) 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.
Contents:

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.

Suggested prior readings:
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)
 

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

Suggested core literature: (subject to change):

Morales, Isidro (2008), Post-NAFTA North America. Reshaping the Economic and Political Governance of aChanging Region,Basingstoke, UK; New York, USA: Palgrave Macmillan.(pp 24-37; pp 180-202)
Joseph A.McKinney and H.Stephen Gardner (eds) (2008) Economic Integration inthe Americas.Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge (pp 46-59; pp 96-104)         
Panizza, Francisco (2009) Contemporary Latin America. Development and Democracy beyond the Washingtion Consensus. Zed Books (pp142-167)