Taught In English

There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Economic development in LA: milestones and crises

PROFESSOR: Srta. María Montt S.

Description
This course is designed to give the students detailed knowledge of Latin American history through the study of its economic development, milestones and crises. It will address how Latin America came to be in its current circumstances and how this process can be interpreted and understood today. For this, we shall take a general view of the process as well as study cases of specific situations and countries such as Brazil, Argentina and, of course, Chile.
Students are expected to develop a thorough knowledge of key historical issues, trends and events, as well as key concepts and theories of economic history; and to develop analytical skills for the study of Latin American history.
Students will be confronted with documents for the study of Latin American history that shall be analysed individually and in groups; conclusions shall be discussed with the rest of the class.

Aims
At the end of this course the students should be able to:
1. Identify and understand the most important processes of Latin America's history.
2. Identify and understand the most important economic processes -milestones and crises- of Latin America's history.
3. Develop analytic criticism of the main historical processes of Latin America.
4. Find and discriminate primary sources for the study of Latin American history; students should analyze primary sources within its historical context.
5. Make presentations on selected texts: describe, analyze and present orally to the rest of the class.

Methodology (Teaching methods and modes of learning)
Combination of lectures, students' expositions and class discussions. Students will have to read selected lectures weekly that shall be presented and discussed in the class. A syllabus shall be presented to the students during the first month of class.

Evaluation
Assessment will be by means of coursework –five 1500-word essays-, the evaluation of presentations and discussions, and a final examination. Coursework will count 70% towards the final result. Essays must be submitted to the teacher in a printed copy during class hours on the date scheduled. Late submission of essays will be penalised.
Coursework: 70%
- Five essays (1500 words)
- Participation
Final examination: 30%

Students are strongly advised to attend all classes. Attendance is required for at least 70% of classes in order to sit the final examination; students should notify the teacher in advance if they are unable to attend class.

Contents
1. Colonial times and legacy
a. Agriculture, labour system, land tenure and mining
2. 19th century Latin America
a. The Republics: independence movements and its consequences
b. National Expansion: Latin America and the Industrial Revolution
3. Foreign Presence in Latin America
4. Latin America and the United States: the Panamerican system
5. Populist movements
6. The depression of 1929 and its effects on Latin America
7. Second World War effects in Latin America
8. Social and political changes – the Catholic Church and its influences
9. The inward-looking model (ISI)
10. Economic reform and neoliberalism

Bibliography
During term, additional bibliography will be given to the students.
- Bethell, Leslie, ed. The Cambridge History of Latin America. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
- Bulmer-Thomas, Victor. The Economic History of Latin America since independence. New York: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1994.
- Cárdenas, Enrique; Ocampo, José Antonio y Torpe, Rosemary. An Economic History of Twentieth-Century Latin America. Hampshire: Palgrave, 2000.
- Collier, Simon and Sater, William F. A History of Chile, 1808-1994. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
- Park, James William. Latin American Underdevelopment: a History of Perspectives in the United States, 1870-1965. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Univ. Press, 1995.
- Paz, Octavio. The Labyrinth of Solitude. Grove Press, 1994.
- Skidmore, Thomas E. and Smith, Peter H. Modern Latin America. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Thorp, Rosemary. Progress, Poverty and Exclusion: an Economic History of Latin America in the 20th century. Washington: Inter-American Development Bank, 1998.
- Weaver, Frederick Stirton. Latin America in the World Economy: Mercantile Colonialism to Global Capitalism. Boulder: Westview Press, 2000.