Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences · Political Science and International Relations (English) · Undergraduate
Course Objective
This course studies some of this dynamic region’s most important shifts—from independence, thelegacies of colonialism, and the challenges of state formation, to the onset of authoritarian andrevolutionary regimes, the return to liberal democracy, the adoption (and rejection) of marketreforms, and the rise of “new” social movements led by youth, femmes, and indigenous peoples.
Course Content
This course studies some of this dynamic region’s most important shifts—from independence, thelegacies of colonialism, and the challenges of state formation, to the onset of authoritarian andrevolutionary regimes, the return to liberal democracy, the adoption (and rejection) of marketreforms, and the rise of “new” social movements led by youth, femmes, and indigenous peoples.
Required Resources
Daniel C. Hellinger, Comparative Politics of Latin America (Taylor andFrancis, 2011)
Course Learning Outcomes
- Gain a solid understanding of Latin American politics and the challenges of deepeningdemocracy that the region has faced historically and faces contemporarily.
- Develop the conceptual tools and theoretical knowledge to better understand politicalphenomena in the region and beyond.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 16 | 2 | 32 |
| Midterm | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignment | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Practice | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 20 | 20 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colonialism, Independence, and Development | book chapter |
| 2 | Industrialization, State Formation, and Authoritarianism | book chapter |
| 3 | Theories of development | book chapter |
| 4 | Military coups and authoritarian regimes | book chapter |
| 5 | Revolution and Democratization | book chapter |
| 6 | Revolutionary movements and governments | book chapter |
| 7 | Democratization, liberalization, and decentralization | book chapter |
| 8 | midterm | midterm |
| 9 | Presidentialism, parties, electoral rules, and clientelism | book chapter |
| 10 | Social movements, the “left turn,” and elite responses | book chapter |
| 11 | Authoritarian legacies, organized crime, and drug cartels | book chapter |
| 12 | Radical and participatory democracy? | book chapter |
| 13 | Industrialization, populism, and corporatism | book chapter |
| 14 | open discussion | none |
| 15 | final exam | final exam |