Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
EU30756: The politics of Latin America |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| CW33EX67 |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Supplementary assessment information not currently available (this will be added shortly) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: 1. to provide students with a detailed theoretical/empirical understanding of contemporary issues in Latin American politics and society; 2. to enable students to develop a critical/analytical approach to these issues through the examination of case studies, which include analysis of political, social and cultural developments; 3. to enable students to gain a greater understanding of current economic and political trends, and to be able to analyse them from a historical and theoretical perspective. Learning Outcomes: On completion of this unit, students will be able to: * understand the nature and limits of democratisation, and the forces which influence and shape it; * critically evaluate the links between economic, social and political development in Latin America; * apply theoretical frameworks to actual national case studies to evaluate current and future development. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Content: The course is based on a series of lectures which aim to give students the theoretical tools necessary for analysis and evaluation of Latin American development. These framework lectures would include theory and practice of democratisation, the relationship between democracy and socio-economic issues, the post-Cold War role of the US, the impact of the drugs trade, regionalization and the rise of the left. In seminars students will apply theoretical frameworks to national case studies to evaluate the nature and limits of democracy, obstacles to further democratisation, conflict resolution, integration and the nature and role of external influences. |