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2013/2014  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 Business Communication (IBC)
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalization, International Business, markets and studies
  • Economics, macro economics and managerial economics
Last updated on 04-10-2013
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
Course prerequisites
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:
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Individual
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer Term
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
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.
Description of the exam procedure
At the end of the course a number of topics are specified based on, respectively, themes within the US and Latin American parts of the course. The drawing of lots will determine whether a student must write a paper on one of the US or Latin American topics. The results of this are uploaded on to e-campus. Each student then devises his/her own specific problem formulation based on one of the set topics. There is a minimum of three weeks in which to write the assignment.
Course content and structure

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.

Students are required to write up to two assignments up to a total of 8 pages (one page = 2,275 units) during the course. Alternatively, if the course teacher so decides, students will write one paper of up to 4 pages and make a presentation of a topic dealt with in class.

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 are required to write up to two assignments up to a total of 8 pages (one page = 2,275 units) during the course. Alternatively, if the course teacher so decides, students will write one paper of up to 4 pages and make a 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, determined by the drawing of lots. 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 04-10-2013