LACS 4819A/PSCI 4819: Latin America and the World
Fall 2021
Instructor: Professor. Laura Macdonald
How do Latin American states and citizens interact with each other and the world? Are the countries of Latin America still subject to the whims of Washington, or are they able to act independently both within the Western Hemisphere and the global system? How has globalization affected Latin America’s involvement in the global economic system? These are some of the questions addressed in this 4th year seminar course. The COVID-19 crisis is posing a huge challenge to the countries of the region who had made considerable progress in reducing levels of poverty, increasing their independence and influence in the world, and developing new forms of regional governance and cooperation. We will look at the impact of the COVID crisis and how Latin America is confronting it.
In the fall of 2021 the course will be conducted in person on campus in 3 hour seminar sessions.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
- Explain and analyse the historical trajectory of Latin American states and civil society actors’ engagement with other parts of the hemisphere and the world;
- Interpret and discuss the competing pressures driving intra-Latin American relations;
- Analyse the relevance of distinct theoretical traditions in the study of global politics to studying Latin America’s role in the world;
- Identify and assess the different approaches that Latin American countries and citizens are using to address the challenges of the regional and global system;
- Apply the insight gained from the course readings and discussion to undertake a research project on an issue related to the course material.