Spring 2004

GOV 337M • Politics of Development in Latin America - W

Course Description

Course number may be repeated for credit when topics vary. Contains a substantial writing component and fulfills part of the basic education requirement in writing. This writing component course will examine the sturggle for devlopment in Latin America during the last century. In the first part of the course, we will examine critically some of the major theories of development. We will then assess how well these, and other theories explain economic and political events in Latin America. Two basic questions will be addressed (1) Why have the economic policies of Latin American governments shifted dramatically over the course of the last century? (2) What have been the economic, social and political consequences of these shifting policies? This course entails weekly reading assignments, a mid-term examination, and a 20-25 page research paper written in two drafts. In addition, students will be expected to participate regularly in class discussion and to make regular presentations of the readings.

Grading Policy

Class Participation: 10% Oral Presentation: 10% Mid-term examination: 35% First Draft of Paper: 15% Final Draft of Paper: 30%

Texts

Eliana Cardoso and Ann Helwege. "Latin America's Economy: Diversity, Trends and Conflicts." Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1995. Inter-American Development Bank. "Development Beyond Economics." Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000. Mitchell A. Seligson and John T. Passe-Smith, eds. "Development and Underdevelopment, 3rd ed." Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2003

back