Politics, economy and international relations in contemporary Latin America 3305-PGAL-SEM-MGR

The aim of the master's seminar is to prepare students to write a diploma thesis, taking into account the requirements foreseen at the second-degree studies (MA studies). It means, in particular, familiarizing the participants of the seminar with the following issues: substantive aspects (including the main types of sources and research tools), formal aspects (including editorial rules), and methodological aspects.
The research interests of the seminar participants are contemporary socio-political and economic problems of Latin America in the historical and international context.
During the seminar, Students will become familiar with the main types of sources and research tools used in Latin American studies. They will also learn specialist scientific terminology in Spanish.
The cours covers:
1. Discussion of research problems falling within the scope of Latin American studies;
2. Determining the topic of the master's thesis;
3. Explanation of the research problem;
4. Conceptualization of the topic, discussion of the principles of formulating hypotheses and research questions
5. Selection of research methods and techniques
6. Group discussion on research project presentations
7. Consultations on the preparation of a work plan
8. Consultations regarding the development of individual chapters of the work
During the course, the student actively prepares the master's thesis, discussing its thematic and research scopes with the participants of the seminar.
Participation in the seminar gives a general orientation on the main directions of social and political changes in Latin American and the Caribbean countries, with particular emphasis on:
- the process of their transformation (from dictatorships to democracy);
- the main political forces;
- development processes in the Western Hemisphere;
- international relations of Latin America and the Caribbean.
As a result, the student will be prepared to conduct research and scientific debate in the field of Latin American studies.

Term 2023:

Prerequisites (description)

Spanish at C1-C2 level and knowledge of the history and contemporary socio-political problems of Latin America are necessary. Classes are intended for students preparing a master's thesis in Spanish in the field of politics, economy and society of Latin America and the region's relations with the world. By applying the knowledge acquired during studies as well as becoming familiar with theories and methods in the field of social sciences during classes, the result will be the creation of a diploma thesis.

Course coordinators

Katarzyna Dembicz
Tomasz Rudowski

Type of course

Master's seminars

Mode

General:

Blended learning
Classroom

Term 2023:

Classroom

Learning outcomes

Knowlege: upon graduation the student knows
- subject-specific and methodological specificity of the studied field of knowledge, and is able to develop it creatively and apply it in professional activity and also knows the terminology in the field of Iberian studies at an advanced level [K_W01]
- scientific and cultural phenomena in Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking countries, and in particular has in-depth knowledge about the connections of new research and trends in these fields of study with other humanities related discourses [K_W04]
- terminology, theory and methodology necessary in the disciplines typical of Iberian studies [K_W05]
- basic concepts and principles in the field of intellectual property and copyright protection and understands the need to manage intellectual property resources [K_W03]

Abilities: upon graduation the student is able to
- use acquired research skills, including the critical analysis of cultural products and social phenomena in the countries of the Spanish or Portuguese language area, synthetize various ideas and views, select methods and develop research tools, present results, allowing original solutions to complex problems in the fields relevant to Iberian studies [K_U01]
- use acquired language skills in understanding and creating oral presentations and written texts using professional terminology [K_U03]

Social competences: upon graduation the student is capable of:
- cooperating within a group, taking on various roles [K_K01]
- critically assessing their own knowledge and skills, and also understanding the need for continuous improvement and development [K_K03]

Assessment criteria

Relative and absolute methods are used.
The criteria taken into account in the assessment are:
- attendance at classes (2 unexcused absences are allowed)
- activity during classes,
- progress in creating the diploma thesis (1st semester - defining the research problem and getting to know the literature on the subject, 2nd semester - construction of the thesis along with setting goals, hypotheses and research methods, subsequent semesters are related to the analysis of the selected topic and writing the diploma thesis).
Completion of the last semester of the seminar depends on the submission of the final version of the diploma thesis to the supervisor.

Practical placement

Bibliography

Babbie, E., Badania społeczne w praktyce, Warszawa 2006
Dembicz A., Filozofia poznawania Ameryki, CESLA UW, 2006
Deves Valdes E., El pensamiento latinoamericano en el siglo XX. Entre la modernización y la identidad, Buenos Aires: Biblios.2004
Dobrzycki W. Stosunki międzynarodowe w Ameryce Łacińskiej, Scholar, 2000
Escobar A. La invención del desarrollo, Universidad de Cauca, 2014
Sztumski J., Wstęp do metod i technik badań społecznych, Katowice 2005
Popper K. Logika odkrycia naukowego, PWN, 2002

Term 2023:

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3305-PGAL-SEM-MGR in USOSweb