How do countries in Latin America interact with each other and the rest of world? What institutional structures are used by Latin American countries to manage conflicts, broker competing interests and take advantage of global opportunities? Are the countries in Latin America still subject to the whims of Washington, or are they able to act independently both within the Western Hemisphere and the global system? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this course as it surveys the foreign policies and foreign relations of major and minor actors in Latin America.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain and analyse the historical trajectory of US-Latin American relations;
2. Interpret and discuss the competing pressures driving intra-Latin American relations;
3. Outline the historical pattern of war and conflict in the Americas and what it means for regional relations today;
4. Explain and appraise the origins and current challenges of regionalism in contemporary Latin America;
5. Identify and assess the different approaches that Latin American countries are using to address the challenges of the regional and global system;
6. Undertake a research project on an issue related to the core course material using a regional country as a case study.

1. A 2,500 word essay assignment (40%) -- learning outcomes 2, 5, 6;
2. Three 1,000 word ‘briefing memoranda’ on the course content (3x20% = 60%) -- learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Two hours of lecture and one hour of tutorial per week. Five to seven hours of preparation for the lectures and tutorials.

None.

Basic knowledge of Latin America and basic familiarity with core concepts in political science and international relations.

Lambert & Gardini, Latin American Foreign Policies

Legler, Lean and Boniface, Promoting Democracy in the Americas

Smith, Talons of the Eagle

Domínguez and Fernández de Castro, Contemporary U.S.-Latin American Relations

Oelsner, International Relations in Latin America

Burges, Brazilian Foreign Policy After the Cold War