Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Contemporary Politics in Latin America
Module Code	LG543
School	School of Law & Government
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Francesco Cavatorta Semester 2: Francesco Cavatorta Autumn: Francesco Cavatorta
Module Teacher	David Doyle
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

INACTIVE - This course introduces students to the politics of Latin America. It presumes little or no knowledge of the region but promises that students who take this module will begin to understand some of the principal structural features of the region development and some of the principal political and social forces whose interactions help account for the way the region has changed since independence in the early 19th century. Throughout the course students will examine how particular economic and political outcomes have been derived. To achieve this, the course focuses on political, economic and social actors and how they interact not just within the region but also within the structural features of the international economy. Students are expected to attend class, contribute during class and utilize the online resources.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the political and economic development of Latin America since independence
2. Understand and differentiate between the four major periods of Latin American political development
3. Be cognisant of the major structural and institutional constraints which actors face in Latin America today
4. Critically analyse contemporary politics in Latin America
5. Critically engage with the major academic literature on contemporary Latin American politics

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent learning	226	No Description
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Latin America.
Historical Legacy, Geographical Peripherality.

The Primary Commodity Exporting Phase.
1870-1930.

The Political Economy of Import Substitution Industrialisation.
1930 – 1980.

Classic Populism.
The Third Wave of Democratisation.

Political Instiutions in Comparative Perspective.
The Politics and Political Economy of Neoliberalism and the return of Neo-Populists.

The Rise of Social Movements.
Political Responses to Neoliberalism: The Rise of theNew Left in Latin America.

A New Vehicle? Regionalism and Regionalisation in Latin America.
Under the Shadow of Big Brother: The Role of the US.

Prospects and Alternatives: What Future?.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Oral presentations	Reaction Paper	30%	Week 22
Essay	Main Research Paper	70%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Bethell, Leslie, ed:: 0, The Cambridge History of Latin America. Cambridge University Press. Vols. I - XI,
Peadar Kirby (2003): 0, Introduction to Latin America: Twenty-First Century Challenges. Sage.,
Hagopian, Frances and Mainwaring, Scott P (eds) (2005): 0, The Third Wave of Democratization in Latin America: Advances and setbacks. Cambridge University Press.,
Skidmore, Thomas E. and Smith, Peter H (2005): 0, Modern Latin America 6th Edition, Oxford,
Weyland, Kurt (2002): 0, The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies: Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. Princeton University Press,
Bulmer-Thomas, Victor (2003): 0, The Economic History of Latin America since Independence 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press.,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

HMSA

Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)

MAIS

MA in Intercultural Studies

MDEV

MA in Development

MIR

MA in International Relations