N.B. Course descriptions are subject to change
Admission requirements
This course is open to Master students of the MA International Relations and MA/MRes in Latin American Studies. Other Master students not enrolled in these programmes but who wish to follow the course, please contact the co-ordinator of studies.
Description
This course will consider the interconnections between politics and cultural production in Brazil’s relations with other Latin American countries and as an important player in global relations. It will focus on the political, cultural and economic dimensions that shape the international relations of the world’s fifth largest country and the largest economy in Latin America. The starting point of the course is to consider culture as both reflection of key political moments in a country’s history and as well as an instigator of social and political mobilization.
Brazil’s status in the Latin American region means it provides an important entry point to understand current debates and issues around South-South relations, the Global South, politics and social justice in times of global economic and political uncertainty, religion and political power and the global question of the world’s climate emergency. As Brazil once again strengthens its (re)democratization, eyes are on the country as a key player in providing answers to global challenges. Special regard will be given to Brazil’s recently amplified relationships with Portuguese-speaking Africa. Some of the topics we might discuss include: transatlantic relations and the (re)negotiation of the legacy of slavery; Latin American and African cultural, political and economic relations; indigenous cultures, artistic interventions and the climate emergency; Pan-Africanism and anti-racism; mass media in Brazil and its global impacts; social documentary filmmaking and the global influence of protest movements.
Teaching materials used: readings and lecture slides
Course objectives
Gain a thorough understanding of the connection between culture, economics and politics in Brazil and relations with the wider world.
Academic skills that are developed include:
Oral presentation skills
- to explain clear and substantiated research results;
- to provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course
a. in the form of a clear and well-structured oral presentation;
b. in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
c. using up-to-date presentation techniques;
d. aimed at a specific audience; - to actively participate in a discussion following the presentation.
Collaboration skills:
- to be socio-communicative in collaborative situations;
- to provide and receive constructive criticism, and incorporate justified criticism by revising one’s own position;
- adhere to agreed schedules and priorities.
Basic research skills, including heuristic skills:
- to collect and select academic literature using traditional and digital methods and techniques;
- to analyze and assess this literature with regard to quality and reliability;
- to formulate on this basis a sound research question;
- to design under supervision a research plan/paper of limited scope, and implement it using the methods and techniques that are appropriate within the discipline involved;
- to formulate a substantiated conclusion.
Written presentation skills:
- to explain clear and substantiated research results;
- to provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course
a. in the form of a clear and well-structured written presentation;
b. in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
c. using relevant illustration or multimedia techniques;
d. aimed at a specific audience.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Seminars
Assessment method
Assessment
oral presentation 30%
final essay 70%
Weighting
The final grade is determined by a weighted average of all assessments.
Resit
Revised final essay. There is no resit for the presentation.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
TBA
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga
Remarks
NA