Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections
| Module title | Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3180 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Gabriel Katz Wisel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
In the last 50 years, Latin American countries have tried democracy and authoritarianism; state interventionist models and market-oriented programs; economic policies fostering income redistribution and others deepening inequality; reformist and revolutionary change. In this course you review the political history of Latin America from the Cuban revolution onwards, focusing primarily on the collapse and restoration of democratic rule throughout the region and on the forces (institutions, economic and social structure, etc.) affecting the rise, fall, sustainability, and quality of democracy. Besides studying the region’s parties, elections and politico-institutional design, you will also explore topics like the role of the military and revolutionary/social movements in the political evolution of Latin America, and US-Latin American relations.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Besides serving as an introduction for those of you who are unfamiliar with the history, politics, and socio-economic structure of the region, the course seeks to expose you to relevant topics, problems and current debates regarding Latin American politics and to encourage you to think critically about some of the most important challenges faced by democracies in the region.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. participate in informed discussions about the political history of Latin America;
- 2. critically evaluate current political developments in the region;
- 3. critically analyse concepts and contexts of Latin American politics;
- 4. identify common trends as well as differences between Latin American democracies;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. identify and discuss key concepts in the literature on democracy, democratisation and democratic quality, applying them to empirical case studies;
- 6. critically assess whether - and to what extent - theoretical arguments and methodological approaches used to analyse Western democracies can be extrapolated to other political contexts;
- 7. use and analyse a range of sources and materials commonly employed in political science research, including historical studies, public opinion data and news sources;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. convey ideas precisely and concisely, both orally and in writing;
- 9. present and defend your work in an effective and convincing manner in front of an audience;
- 10. work independently and with peers to achieve goals;
- 11. analyse and interpret empirical data.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1) Introduction: Political Science and Latin American Studies
2) The historical path: major political developments, 1950 – 2012
3) The current "state" of democracy in in Latin America:
4) Political Institutions and Institutional Design in Latin America:
5) Parties, Politics and Elections
6) Latin America in the Global System:
7) Social Movements
8) Case Studies
9) Review Session
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 44 | Seminars led by the lecturer (22 weeks, x 2 hours each seminar). |
| Guided independent study | 155 | Reading and preparation for seminars and presentations |
| Guided independent study | 55 | Writing up 2 essays and a film review based on the topics/materials covered in class. |
| Guided independent study | 46 | Web-based activities preparation for seminars and presentations. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment based on individual class presentation | 1500 words | 1-4, 8-10 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 2,500 words | 2-8,11 | Written |
| Essay 2 based on one of the country case studies mentioned in the syllabus | 50 | 2,500 words | 2-8,11 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay 1 2,500 words | 2-8,11 | Written |
| Essay 2 based on one of the country case studies mentioned in the syllabus | Essay 2 based on one of the country case studies mentioned in the syllabus 2,500 words | 2-8,11 | Written |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Baker, Andy, and Kenneth Greene. 2011. "The Latin American Left’s Mandate: Free-Market Policies and Issue Voting in New Democracies." World Politics 63(1): 43-77.
- Booth, John A. and Mitchell A. Seligson. 2009. The Legitimacy Puzzle in Latin America - Political Support and Democracy in Eight Nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Coppedge, Michael. 1998. "The Dynamic Diversity of Latin American Party Systems". Party Politics 4(4): 547-568.
- Hagopian, Frances, and Scott Mainwaring. 2005. Third Wave of Democratization in Latin America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Klesner, Joseph L. 2001. "The End of Mexico’s One-Party Regime" Political Science & Politics 34(1): 107-114.
- Remmer, Karen L. 1990. "Democracy and Economic Crisis: The Latin American Experience." World Politics 42(3):315-335.
- Skidmore, Thomas E., and Peter E. Smith. 2000. Modern Latin America, pp.1-12; 42-67. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Wiarda, Howard J. The Soul of Latin America: The Cultural and Political Tradition. New Haven: Yale University Press 2001.
- Wright, Thomas. 2001. Latin America in the Era of the Cuban Revolution, pp. 39-72. Westport: Praeger.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/latin_america/
- Latinamerica Press: http://www.lapress.org/
- MercoPress: http://en.mercopress.com/
- Buenos Aires Herald: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/
- LatinoBarometro: http://www.latinobarometro.org/latino/latinobarometro.jsp
- Latin American Public Opinion Project: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Videos: The Battle of Chile, Missing, State of Siege, Castro, Evita, The Revolution will not be
Televised, Our Brand is In Crisis, South of the Border, Even the Rain, Cuba Va: The
Challenge of the Next Generation
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | August 2012 |
| Last revision date | 09/05/2022 |
