Contemporary Politics of Brazil and Latin America

2023/2024

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

4

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Департамент политологии и международных отношений

Статус:

Курс по выбору

Когда читается:

4-й курс, 3 модуль

Преподаватель

Клещенко Людмила Леонидовна

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is designed for Political Science students with a regional focus on BRICS countries and covers the main characteristics of politics of Brazil and other countries of Latin America. The course discusses major trends in the political dynamics of these countries, political institutions and their evolution, the impact of politics on economic and social development.

Learning Objectives

• Examine the diversity of political institutions in Latin America, and to evaluate the role of informal institutions in the region;
• Critically assess the influence of global political challenges in Latin America and to assess the risks associated with the particularities of political, social and economic development in the region;
• Provide the necessary knowledge to conduct political negotiations and business negotiations with Latin American partners;
• To ensure the development of the skills necessary to conduct research on Latin American studies.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Understands the key issues in Latin American Studies;
• Analyzes the main institutional structures and processes in Latin American politics;
• Identifies the contemporary challenges facing Brazilian and Latin American politics;
• Demonstrates knowledge of Latin American political institutions;
• Communicates about Latin American politics through oral presentations;
• Evaluates the prospects and problems of Russian-Latin American cooperation.

Course Contents

• 1. Introduction to Latin American Studies
• 2. Political institutions in Latin America
• 3. Socio-economic development of Latin American countries
• 4. Political economy and economic policy in Latin America
• 5. Political conflicts and social movements in Latin America
• 6. Contemporary Politics of Brazil
• 7. Indigenous Latin America
• 8. The challenge of organized crime and drug traffic in Latin America
• 9. The challenge of armed struggle in Latin America
• 10. The challenge of populism in Latin America
• 11. The challenge of corruption in Latin America
• 12. The challenge of migration in Latin America
• 13. Environmental challenges in Latin America
• 14. Latin America and Russia

Assessment Elements

• Seminar participation
• Group presentation
  Small teams of students (two or three depending on class size) will provide presentations at the beginning of seminars 8-13. Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes (in the case of more interactive formats additional time may be negotiated with the instructor in advance). 10 minutes are allocated for discussion of the presentation and questions. Students are strongly encouraged to introduce single or comparative case studies to illustrate the topic of their presentation, use additional academic and expert literature and statistical data, apply all types of suitable software to engage with the audience and bring additional questions for the Q&A part of the exercise.
• Exam

Interim Assessment

• 2023/2024 3rd module
  0.34 * Exam + 0.33 * Group presentation + 0.33 * Seminar participation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Latin American politics and development, , 2023

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Levitsky, S., & Helmke, G. (2006). Informal Institutions and Democracy : Lessons From Latin America. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=215883