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2015/2016  BA-BBLCV1502U  Current Politics in Latin America

English Title
Current Politics in Latin America

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Bachelor
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Autumn
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Min. participants 40
Max. participants 60
Study board
Study Board for BSc og MSc in Business, Language and Culture, BSc
Course coordinator
  • Kevin McGovern - Department of International Business Communication (IBC)
Teacher: Rosalba Cazón - rocalectric@gmail.com
Main academic disciplines
  • Globalization and international business
  • Language
Last updated on 19-02-2015
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors: The course will aim at the development of academic and personal competences.
The academic competences acquired will be:
General knowledge of Latin American politics and Inter-American relations.
Knowledge of historical background
Knowledge of relation between politics and identity in Latin America
More specific knowledge of national cases
Knowledge about economic aspects of Latin American politics.

The following learning objectives include the requirements for the final paper.
  • 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.
Course prerequisites
No specific or formal qualifications required. Some general knowledge about Latin American history and politics is an advantage.
Prerequisites for registering for the exam
Number of mandatory activities: 2
Compulsory assignments (assessed approved/not approved)
group discussion

Requirements about active class participation (assessed approved/not approved)
group discussion
Examination
Written assignment:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual
Written assignment. Se study regulations.
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
See learning objectives
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure

See the learning and examen objectives
Course content and structure

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, the different political . 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.
There will be both group discussions and lectures. 
 
Teaching methods
Each session will have a teacher’s presentation.
There will be group discussions
General discussions on the case and the material of the session.
Further Information

Changes in course schedule may occur.
 
Expected literature

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.

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 

Gomez-Suárez & Jonathan Newman; Safeguarding Political Guarantees in the Colombian Peace Process: Have Santos and FARC learnt the lessons from the past? Third World Quarterly, 24 Jun 2013. 


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

Hofmann, Bert: Charismatic Authority and Leadership Change: Lessons from Cuba's Post-Fidel Succession, International Political Science Review 2009

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. 
 

Loayza Bueno, Rafael & Datta Ajoy: The Politics of Evo Morales’ Rise to Power in Bolivia The Role of Social Movements and Think Tanks

Overseas Development Institute, London, March 2011

                
Munck, Ronaldo: "Contemporary Latin America". Palgrave; 2007

Molina, Fernando: Why Is Evo Morales Still Popular?
The Strengths of The MAS in The Construction of A New Order
May-June 2013 -- Nueva Sociedad, No. 245

Nilsson, Martin Ph.D: Globalization and The Formation of The Political Left
Book Chapter: based on a paper first presented at:
Conference on Latin America and Globalization - Views from the Americas and Europe
Panel: Globalization’s Impact on Latin America 3
Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Dk - April 14-15th, 2008

Özler S. Illgu; The Concertación and Homelessness in Chile: Market-based Housing Policies and Limitted Popular Participation, Latin American Perspectives, 2012

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.

Piñeiro Harnecker, Camila; Cuba's New Socialism: Different Visions Shaping Current Changes, Latin American Perspectives 2013

Rochlin, James; Colombia's New Left and the Challenges of Security, Latin American Perspectives,  2012


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.
Last updated on 19-02-2015