Undergraduate Course: Latin American Foreign Policies (PLIT10176)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course offers an in-depth look at Latin America's foreign policies, using Foreign Policy Analysis as the lens to understand how regional history, current leadership, and global interactions shape each country's international stance. The course engages with real-world case studies to develop a nuanced perspective on the region's place in global affairs. |
| Course description |
Why do states across Latin America have divergent foreign policies? What factors shape these policies, and how do presidents and other key decision-makers influence the process? This course delves into the realm of Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA), specifically applied to the diverse and complex region of Latin America. By understanding the underlying principles, approaches, and topics in this field, students will gain critical insights into the forces that shape foreign policy in Latin America.
The first part of this course will explore the unique foreign policy dynamics and challenges that characterise Latin America, delving into the effects of populism, historical tensions, and the role of international organisations in shaping regional policies. In the second half, we will take a closer and more practical look at the specific foreign policies of different countries in Latin America. Through case studies and in-depth analyses, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how various factors shape each nation's approach to foreign policy, as well as the regional implications of these policies.
The course may cover topics such as the historical context of Latin American foreign policy, the role of political leaders in shaping foreign policy, populism and its impact on Latin American foreign policy, US-Latin American relations, China-Latin American relations, the role of civil society in shaping Latin American foreign policy, regional organisations and integration attempts (Mercosur, OAS, CELAC), current challenges in Latin American foreign policy (e.g., migration, drug trafficking, environmental policy, human rights).
This course offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of foreign policy in Latin America by combining theoretical foundations with practical case studies and examples. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of the factors driving foreign policy decisions in the region and the role of key decision-makers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the ever-changing world of international relations.
Classes are structured into weekly lectures and tutorials. Lectures introduce key concepts and themes. Tutorials, on the other hand, offer an interactive platform for discussions centred around the week's topics. To ensure a deep understanding, students will engage with both theoretical constructs and real-world challenges, synthesising their insights into a policy brief and an analytical essay.
|
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least four Politics/IR courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). Only university/college-level courses will be considered. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
85 %,
Practical Exam
15 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Foreign Policy Brief - 35% - max 1500 words
Essay - 50% - max 2500 words
Tutorial Participation - 15% |
| Feedback |
Students will receive formative feedback during tutorials where they can discuss their ideas in a group setting, and they will have opportunities to submit draft work for informal feedback before assessments.
Feedback on all assessed work shall normally be returned within three weeks of submission. Where this is not possible, students shall be given clear expectations regarding the timing and methods of feedback. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Develop a critical understanding of Latin American foreign policies through the foundational concepts and analytical frameworks of Foreign Policy Analysis.
- Analyse critically the influence of political leaders on the foreign policy of Latin American countries.
- Develop skills in researching and investigating foreign policy issues specific to the Latin American context.
- Apply theoretical knowledge to case studies, assessing foreign policy differences among Latin American countries.
- Critically evaluate the influence of historical tensions, foreign intervention, and the role of international organisations in shaping foreign policy in Latin America.
|
Reading List
Fortin, Carlos, Jorge Heine, and Carlos Ominami, eds. 2023. Latin American Foreign Policies in the New World Order: The Active Non-Alignment Option. London New York: Anthem Press.
Giacalone, Rita. 2015. 'Latin American Foreign Policy Analysis'. In Foreign Policy Analysis Beyond North America., edited by Klaus Brummer and Valerie M. Hudson, 1st edition., 121-38. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.
Lambert, Peter. 2011. Latin American Foreign Policies: Between Ideology and Pragmatism. Edited by G. Gardini. Palgrave Macmillan US.
Neto, Octavio Amorim, and Andrés Malamud. 2015. 'What Determines Foreign Policy in Latin America? Systemic versus Domestic Factors in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, 1946-2008'. Latin American Politics and Society 57 (4): 1-27.
Tickner, Arlene B. 2003. 'Hearing Latin American Voices in International Relations Studies'. International Studies Perspectives 4 (4): 325-50. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
-Enhanced ability to critically evaluate and explain decision-making in Latin American foreign policies.
-Strengthened skills for creating practical solutions to foreign policy problems in Latin America.
-Improved capability to combine research with theoretical approaches to address issues in Latin American contexts.
-Enhanced capacity to clearly and effectively communicate ideas about Latin American foreign policy across various formats. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Consuelo Thiers
Tel:
Email: cthiers@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
|
|
University Homepage