GV510-7-AU-CO:
Democracy, Violence, and Inequality in Latin America
2021/22
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 07 October 2021
Friday 17 December 2021
15
12 May 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module is an introduction to the politics of Latin America. Since independence in the 19th century, Latin American countries experienced decades of authoritarian rule. In the last 40 years, there have been significant efforts towards democratic governance with a number of important successes.
There remain, however, significant challenges to democratic consolidation throughout the region. Thus, this module centers on the following question: What are the challenges to democracy in Latin America and how do they prevent democratic consolidation? We will focus on a number of themes, specifically the politics of violence and inequality, and apply these themes to specific countries and current events to understand democratic challenges in the region today. By completing this course, you will be better prepared to tackle complex and important political, economic, and social questions in this dynamic region of the world.
The first portion of the module covers an introduction to Latin America's historical background, the structure of political institutions and governance. The second portion examines themes of inequality and violence, and their relationship to democracy, or lack thereof, in the region. The module covers country cases as well as past and present events unfolding in the region.
1. To provide students with a solid foundation of key political actors and institutions throughout the region
2. To present students with important theoretical and empirical political, economic, and social dynamics throughout several countries in Latin America
3. To engage knowledgeably and critically with political outcomes and current events in the region
4. To explain the factors that prevent democratic consolidation in the region
By following this module, students will gain the following skills:
1. Identify and employ appropriate material that contains required information and data.
2. Synthesize the obtained information to use it for relevant purposes (e.g., essays and discussions).
3. Formulate arguments clearly and coherently in both written and oral forms.
4. Explore complex social, economic, and political challenges and analyze their main characteristics, determinants, and consequences.
Weekly topics:
1. Latin America Overview: Central Themes and Historical Context
2. Dictatorships and Transition
3. Political Culture in Latin America
4. Populism, The Left and Patronage
5. Social Movements and Protests
6. Economic Development and Economic Inequality
7. The Informal Sector
8. Ethnic and Gender Inequality
9. Corruption and State Capacity
10. Narcos, Autodefensas, and Society
This module will be taught in a weekly 2-hour seminar. In the first part of the seminar, the module supervisor will present a lecture. The second part of the seminar is devoted to class discussion. Student participation in the second half of the seminar is absolutely crucial. Students are expected to do the required reading for each seminar and to be prepared to engage in discussion on this material.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Quiz 1 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 2 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 3 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 4 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 5 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 6 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 7 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Essay 1 |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 8 - Moodle |
|
3.3% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 9 - Moodle |
|
3.6% |
| Coursework |
Test 1 - Moodle |
|
30% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ximena Velasco Guachalla, email: vv20291@essex.ac.uk.
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Damien Bol
King's College London
Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 18 hours, 16 (88.9%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Government
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