MVZb2049 Contemporary Latin America

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Hrabálek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jana Urbanovská, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MVZ149 Cont. Latin America && !NOW( MVZ149 Cont. Latin America )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 70 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/70, only registered: 0/70
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 46 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The main goal of the course is to introduce students to the problems of current events in Latin America. After the first part of the course, students will be able to explain the position of Latin America in international relations. More specifically, they will be able to characterize relations of Latin America with USA and Europe, respectively; to evaluate main security issues in Latin America; and to analyze integration processes in the area. After the second part of the course, student will learn to understand significant problems related to selected countries in Latin America such as Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico.
Learning outcomes
Students will understand significant problems related to selected countries in Latin America such as Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba and Mexico.
Syllabus
  • I. Introduction
  • II. Position of Latin America in the international system
  • III. Latin American relations with USA (historical development, U.S. and Latin America since 9/11 2001)
  • IV. Latin America and Europe
  • V. Security issues in Latin America (Treaty of Rio, security risks in LA)
  • VI. Integration in the American region (FTAA vs. ALCSA)
  • VII. Subregional integration in the American region (MERCOSUR, NAFTA, the Andean Pact)
  • VIII. The conflict in Colombia and its international overlaps
  • IX. Venezuela and internal crises
  • X. Brazil and its position in the region
  • XI. Cuba and Latin America
  • XII. Mexico's relations with the United States
  • XIII. Final test
Literature
    required literature
  • Hrabálek, M. (2018): Latinská Amerika a její rozvojové problémy: Nesnadná cesta vpřed?, Brno, Mendelova univerzita.
    recommended literature
  • Close, D. (2017): Latin American Politics: An Introduction, Toronto, Toronto University Press.
  • Smith, P. - Sells, C. (2017): Democracy in Latin America, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
  • Kline, H. - Wade, C. - Wiarda, H. (2018): Latin American Politics and Development, New York, Westview Press.
  • Smith, P. - Green, J. (2019): Modern Latin America, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
Teaching methods
Lectures involve class discussions and require active participation of students. Readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures.
Assessment methods
The course is completed by a written test. Examination takes place at the end of the semester. Regular attendance will significantly help to manage the course successfully.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every other week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/MVZb2049