• Analytical competences (especially related to politics and identity), oral presentation and dialogue, as well as writing skills.
• Oral presentations and dialogue, as well as writing skills.
• To formulate a relevant problem within the course’s fields, politics and/or identity problems.
• To argue for the relevance and theoretical and methodological implications of the problem.
• To be able to select and marshal relevant bibliographic material.
• To present adequate theory and/or methodological tools for the analysis
• To analyze the problem and its implications in a logical and comprehensive manner.
• To present the content in an adequate academic form, including clear and correct style in language and arguments, as well as a standard system of notes and references.
• To conclude convincingly on the subject;

The course will consist of 11 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 5-6 case studies: Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile, Cuba, Brazil and Colombia. The country case studies will relate to regional studies (e.g. regional integration) and/or a study of current developments of Inter-American (hemispheric) relations.

The readings for the course are available on the CBS online library. There will be an instruction session on our first class.


The readings:

Applebaum, McPherson and Rosemblatt: ‘Race and Nation in modern Latin America’: University of North Carolina Press, 2003; Introduction and Afterword.

Azicri, Max: "The Castro-Chávez Allianca". In: Latin American Perspectives,2009, 36, 99.  

Bond, Patrick: "The New Latin American Left. Origins and Future. Trajectory"; Organised by TNI with the Havens Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2004

Christman, Daniel W Heimann, John G: "Andes 2020: A New Strategy for the Challenges of Colombia and the Region"; Report of an Independent Commission Sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations Center for Preventive Action. Council on Foreign Relations, New York, NY, USA , 2004

Dunkerley, James: "Evo Morales, The “Two Bolivias” and The Third Bolivian Revolution"; Journal of Latin American Studies, Cambridge University; Press; 2007 

Hayward, Susanna: “Venezuela and the Latin American New Left”, Council on Hemispheric Affairs;2007

Hellinger, Daniel: "Obama and the Bolivarian Agenda for the Americas"; Latin American Perspectives 38:46,

Latin American Perspectives, July 2012. Issue on Chile.

Latin American Perspectives, September 2012. Issue on indigenous conflicts in Latin America.

Lindsay-Poland; John: "Retreat to Colombia: The Pentagon Adapts Its Latin America Strategy";NACLA Report on the Americas; January/February 2010. 
                
Munck, Ronaldo: "Contemporary Latin America". Palgrave; 2007

Paschel and Sawyer: "Contesting Politics as Usual: Black Social    
Movements, Globalization, and Race Policy in Latin America"  In Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture & Society | 2008

Petras, James (July 2, 1988)). "Neglected Dimensions of Violence". Economic and Political Weekly 23 (27): 1367. JSTOR 4378701.

Zuquete; Pedro: "The Missionary Politics of Hugo Chavez" In: Latin American Politics and Society; University of Miami; 2008.

The readings can be subject to change and there will be other readings as well.