PLSC 354 - Government and Politics of Latin America

Credit(s): 3
Lecture: 3
Non-Lecture: 0
This course focuses on the functioning of democratic politics in Latin America. Its main objectives are to consider: first, how government institutions interact with a variety of historic and contemporary political actors across the region; and second, how this interaction affects issue such as representation, political stability, and economic development. As such, we will investigate the role that the military, the Catholic Church, social movements, and political parties play in promoting political interests throughout Latin America, while also examining how institutional arrangements such as the presidency, legislatures, and electoral systems affect the representation of those interests. Students will have the opportunity to conduct an indepth investigation of the politics of a single Latin American country in a final research paper. Offered once every year.

Prerequisite(s): The prerequisite for this course is PLSC 120, or approval of course instructor.