Prospectus

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Minor Brazilian Chair 2017: Brazil’s Economy and International Projection in the 21st century

Course
2016-2017

Admission requirements

Not applicable

Description

The aim of this course is to focus on Brazil’s development in the 21st century, with special emphasis on its economy, which will be given in the first part, and its international relations, which will be discussed in the second part. In both cases, there will first be a brief historical perspective so as to understand better the developments in this century.

First, there will be a brief historical analysis of the Brazilian economy, its main phases and characteristics from colonial and imperial times, its late industrialization process in the 20th century; its early adoption of neoliberal prescriptions in the late 20th century; and its successful price stabilization in the 1990s – in order to understand some of the still existing divides in the country – sectorial, regional, social. The country’s political economy of the 21st century will concentrate on structural changes that took place in agriculture, both with respect to family farming and agribusiness, in manufacturing, with the revival of development instruments, such as national content on goods purchased by state owned enterprises; credit for competitiveness in airplane production; and in services – with the engagement of national development and other state banks to foster credit and financing of SMEs and the construction industry. Those structural changes will be examined from a perspective that privileges social and regional impacts.

The second part will be devoted to the development of Brazilian diplomacy, its main phases and characteristics, and also the changes that occurred after the end of the Cold War. Following, its adaptation to the globalization era will be analysed. Brazil´s international projection became stronger during the second mandate of President Cardoso and mainly, President Lula´s term: South American integration, alliances with emerging nations (BRICS), South-South Cooperation and an assertive stand in the negotiations within multilateral organizations and with the US and Europe can be mentioned as its main features. During Dilma´s Rousseff term, this agenda was weakened and there is a relative rapprochement with the US and a priority for economic issues. With Dilma ousted, Chancellor Serra adopts a deeper pragmatic vision. The elements of continuity and rupture of these several governments in the 21st will be debated.

Course objectives

The objective of the course is to present and discuss the evolution of the Brazilian economy, society and diplomacy in the 21st century, after an historical analysis to show the impact of previous policies.

Timetable

Timetable LAS

Classes on Wednesdays, 11-13, from 1-2-2017 till 26-4-2017

Mode of instruction

Lectures

Course Load

Total course load: 5 EC x 28 uur = 140 uur

  • Class attendance: 24 hrs;

  • Reading literature: 32 hrs;

  • Writing a paper: 84 hrs.

Assessment method

  • Class participation/presentation (20%)

  • Essay 3000 words (80%)

The essay can be redone in case of a grade below 6.0.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used:

  • to post all the necessary information about the course (programme, time tables, announcements, etc.)

  • to post interesting activities (such as Conferences, workshops, expositions, etc.), which are related to the themes analysed during the course

Reading list

A reading list will be posted on Blackboard.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.

General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Registration Contractonderwijs

Contact

For questions about the content of the course, you can contact:
dr M.L. Wiesebron

Coordinator of Studies: M.A.G. van Leeuwen MA

Administrations Office: van Wijkplaats

Remarks

Not applicable