This course explores the internal and regional dynamics of the international relations of Latin America, explaining how these factors influence the region’s interaction with the global system. Attention will be given to the foreign policies of major actors in Latin America, the institutional framework of the inter-American system, and the manner in which regional structures are used to boost and underwrite the international insertion of countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

By the end of this course, the student will have:

1. Gained an understanding of the historical trajectory of inter-American affairs and its relevance to contemporary intra-regional relations;
2. Gained an understanding of the competing pressures driving foreign policy in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela;
3. Gained an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of inter-American governance and coordination institutions;
4. Gained an understanding of the origins and current challenges of regionalism in contemporary Latin America.

a) four 1,000 briefing memorandum = 60% -- learning outcomes 1-4

b) one 2,000 take-home exam = 40% -- learning outcomes 1-4

Two hour weekly seminar for eleven weeks and 7-10 hours preparation time per week. Two weeks allowed for assessment preparation.

Enrolment in a qualifying graduate program or course director's permision.

--Familiarity with theories of international relations and international political economy

--awareness of major contemporary global issues

P H Smith, Talons of the Eagle: Dynamics of US-Latin American Relations (Oxford University Press)

A Oelsner, International Relations in Latin America: Peace and Security in the Southern Cone (Routledge)

Skidmore, Smith and Green, Modern Latin America (Oxford University Press)

Gardini and Lambert, Latin American Foreign Policies: Between Ideology and Pragmatism (Palgrave Macmillan)

Internet connected computer.