PO397-15 Latin America: Democratization and Development
Introductory description
N/A
Module aims
The principal aims of this module are to help students develop a critical understanding of political and economic trends in Latin America. The class will employ intra-regional comparisons as well as comparison between Latin America and other world regions. The module considers how historical trajectories, policy models, and elite and popular politics have shaped Latin America’s politics and economics. It particularly focuses on the region’s inconsistent growth and high levels of inequality, as well as its uneven processes of democratization. Students will examine competing explanations for divergent levels of economic development, state capacity, and political party strength. The module will explore recent trends and contemporary events. Students will also develop greater in-depth understanding of particular countries in the region.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Introduction and context
- Latin America’s ‘development gap’
- Explaining the gap 1: Colonial legacies
- Explaining the gap 2: External factors
- Explaining the gap 3: State policies
- Reading week
- Latin American Politics Today
- Historical legacies and state-building
- Caudillos, populists, and generals
- From “third wave” to “pink tide”
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand broad trends in Latin American political and economic history
- Assess the differences in the political and economic trajectories of states within Latin America
- Have developed in-depth knowledge of at least two countries in the region through independent research
- Have improved their research and writing skills
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
TBC
Transferable skills
TBC
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Private study | 132 hours (88%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
TBC
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| 3,000 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Comments will be provided for the essay on the PAIS assessment feedback forms, and students
will have the opportunity to discuss this with the module director in Advice and Feedback hours.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 4 of UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
- Year 3 of UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
-
UHIA-VM14 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 4 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16D Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German (3 year degree)
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16H Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (3 year degree)
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)