Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies.
Limited places are also open for exchange students.
Please note: this course takes place in The Hague. Traveling between University buildings from Leiden to The Hague takes about 45 minutes.
Description
This course provides a general introduction to Latin American politics, emphasizing the specific ways in which the political process has evolved in each of the countries in this region. So despite the many communalities one can observe in this region with respect to institutional systems and political practices, each country presents a particular type of political evolution. All sorts of historical, social, political, economic, cultural and ethnic factors have played an important role in shaping the political reality of the individual countries. This course follows a country-centred approach providing an explorative journey through the Latin American nations, from North to South.
This course aims to allow students to comprehend the main dynamics characterizing the Latin American political process since the late 19th century until today. Students will learn to distinct the specific political features of each Latin American country. Finally, students will also learn why political phenomena affecting the entire region have dissimilar impacts and consequences in the different Latin American countries.
Lecture overview:
- Latin American Politics: A General Introduction
- Mexican Politics
- The Spanish Speaking Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
- Central America I: Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras
- Central America II: Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama
- South America I: Venezuela
- South America II: Colombia
- South America III: Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia
- South America V: Brazil
- South America VI: Uruguay and Paraguay
- South America VII: Argentina
- South America VIII: Chile
Course objectives
Students get an overview of the historical and contemporary political developments/dynamics in their chosen area and deepen their existing knowledge and understanding of different political systems, political institutions, political processes and actors in the different regions/countries of the region, using the concepts acquired during the course Politics.
Students get acquainted with academic debates on selected topics in the specific region.
Students learn how to write a literature review (2500 words).
Students critically engage with advanced academic texts (summarise, analyse and critically reflect on the validity of the arguments made in these texts).
Students apply theories, concepts and research techniques relevant to the field of comparative politics.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Lectures are held every week, with the exception of the midterm exam week. Weekly lectures will cover issues both inside and outside the readings.
Tutorials
Tutorials are held once every three weeks, with the exception of the midterm exam week. Attending all tutorial sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a session, please inform your tutor in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence. Being absent without notification and valid reason or not being present at half or more of the tutorial sessions will mean your assignments will not be assessed, and result in a 1.0 for the tutorial (30% of the final grade).
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 5 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), this equals 140 hours, broken down by:
Attending lectures: 24 hours
Attending tutorials: 8 hours
Assessment hours (midterm and final exam): 4 hours
Study of compulsory literature: (approximately 7 pages per hour): 64 hours
Time for completing assignments, preparation classes and exams: 40 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
Midterm exam: Written examination with essay questions.
Final exam: Written examination with open questions.
Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 30% |
| Midterm Exam | 30% |
| Final Exam | 40% |
End grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note of the following:
The end grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of tutorial, midterm exam and final exam.
The weighted average of the midterm exam and final exam needs to be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
If the end grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), or the weighted average of midterm- and final exams is lower than 5.5, there is a possibility of retaking the full 70% of the exam material, replacing both the earlier midterm and final exam grades. No resit for the tutorial is possible.
Please note that if the resit exam grade is lower than 5.5, you will not pass the course, regardless of the tutorial grade.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2017 – 2018.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for tutorial groups. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard for this course, but only after correct enrolment in uSis.
Reading list
- Howard J. Wiarda en Harvey F. Kline (eds), Latin American Politics and Development. Boulder: Westview Press, 2014 (8th edition). ISBN: 978-0-8133-4904-6.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis can be found here.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Prof. Dr. P. Silva Dr. R. Sheppard
When contacting lecturers or tutors, please include your full name, student number and tutorial group number.