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2012/2013  KAN-MLEAM_AS3  Markets of the Western Hemisphere

English Title
Markets of the Western Hemisphere

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 15 ECTS
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
Last updated on 04-07-2012
Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
  • define and analyse an economic or market oriented problem and relate this to other relevant knowledge about society
  • demonstrate knowledge about macroeconomic trends and market conditions in the contemporary US/Latin American countries
  • discuss competing perspectives on the development of the US/Latin American economies
  • draw meaningful contrasts and comparisons between markets in the US/Latin America and other selected countries
  • demonstrate knowledge of the models, terms and concepts taught in the course
  • critically relate theories and concepts to policy choices and empirical trends relevant to the course
  • show knowledge and understanding of non-economic indicators such as those measuring social well-being
  • develop an independent argument on a complex market related topic
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:
Type of test Oral with Written Assignment
Marking scale 7-step scale
Second examiner External examiner
Exam period Summer Term
Aids Please, see the detailed regulations below
Duration 30 Minutes
Examination
Written individual paper (take home exam) of max. 11 pages (2,275 characters, incl. spaces), followed by an oral exam of 30 minutes. Subject to be approved by the course teacher. 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.

The re-take exam 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 prerequisite that all mandatory term papers dealing with themes taught in the course (up to a maximum of 8 pages a 2,275 characters, incl. spaces) have been approved by the teacher.
Course content

The aim of the course is to strengthen students' knowledge of conditions concerning markets and macroeconomics in the Western Hemisphere as well as to strengthen their ability to define and analyse concrete issues and 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:
One part of the course aims to enhance students’ understanding of economic relations between Latin America and the rest of the world. In the context of globalization, regional and inter-regional integration, this part of the course will enable students to analyse how insertion in the international political economy affects the economic and social development of Latin American countries, as well as evaluate policy responses by states and/or regional alliances of states.

The second part of the course aims to enhance students’ understanding and ability to analyse policy developments and economic performance in the U.S. In the context of globalization, regional and inter-regional integration, this part of the course analyses how economic and social outcomes are affected by developments in macroeconomic policy, trade policy, regulatory frameworks, as well as change in institutional and organizational approaches to economic activity.

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.
Students write up to two obligatory papers up to a total of 8 pages (one page = 2,275 units) which must be passed in order to sit the examination. Alternatively, if the course teacher so decides, students will write one obligatory paper of up to 4 pages and make an obligatory presentation of a topic dealt with in class.
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 140 hours
Class assignment(s) 14 hours
Exam paper 56 hours
Oral Exam 15 hours
Further Information

Tuition takes place in English
Expected 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)
Last updated on 04-07-2012