International Relations in North and South America 2104-UPIR-D6IRAM
1. Introduction to the course
Part One – History of International Relations in North and South America
2. Towards the independency: Northern and Latin American revolutions
a) The specific of the American independence processes.
b) New direction in US regional policy: from isolationism to engagement
c) Western Hemisphere in the International balance of powers
• Monroe Doctrine – evolution and significance for the inter-American relations
• Filibusters (William Walker)
3. On the turn of the century
a) From Pan-American Movement to Inter-American system: new dimension of cooperation
b) North and South America in the international relations – a reassessment
c) Western Hemisphere and the World Wars
• The Treaty of Rio – regional security system
Part Two – International Relations in the Western Hemisphere after 1945
4.-5. Cold war in the Western Hemisphere
a) The Cuban crises
b) U.S. interventions in Latin America: Guatemala, Chile, Bolivia, Granada, Central America
c) The Falklands War and its influence on the regional security system
Part Three – Main Problems in the International Relations in North and South America
6. New Agenda: From the Lost decade to the Era of Uncertainty. “War on narcotics” in the Inter-American Relations
a) Anti-narcotics policy: an overwiew
b) Main actors and Chosen Initiatives (Plan Colombia, Merida Initiative etc.)
7. “War on terror” in the Western Hemisphere
a) “War on terrorism” in US foreign policy
b) Terrorism in Latin America
• Narcoterrorism – a real threat?
8. Regional integration in North and South America:
a) From Washington Consensus to Buenos Aires Consensus
b) Economic integration in North America (NAFTA, FTAA)
c) Regionalism in Central America and the Caribbean
d) Regional integration in South America (Mercosur, UNASUR, CELAC, ALBA, Pacific Alliance, Andean Community)
• Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investments Partnership/Trans-Pacific Partnership
Part Four – Regional Strategies: different models of regional policies
9. Latin American Populism vs. North American decision making process. USA-Mexico-Brazil – different proposals for the regional leadership
• Pink tide in Latin America
• US-Cuba: a breakthrough?
• Future of bilateral relations after Obama
10. Final essay/test
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After completing the course the student should:
- understand the basic issues of the international relations in the western hemisphere, both from historical and contemporary perspective;
- have basic knowledge of integration structures in the Americas and main problems of cooperation,
- achieve flexibility in analyzing the various issues of the American studies;
- develop critical thinking and drawing independent conclusions.
Assessment criteria
The assessment of this course will be based on the following three student contributions:
1) Students’ activity and participation in the debate which contributes 30 percent of the overall mark for the course. Students are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to class. Excellent contributions to class discussion show students’ knowledge of the readings and build on the readings. If you encounter difficulties participating in class, please discuss these with the professor. Students’ activity could be marked also by a seminar presentation no longer than 10 minutes and accompanied by a one-page handout.
2) Final test which will contribute 70 percent of the overall mark for the course.
3) Class attendance - No more than two unexcused absences will be allowed in this course (one if the session is doubled). Every absence over the limit should be made up. Please note, that if you come fifteen minutes after the classes start, your attendance will not be considered.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: