University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: 1.00 pm Tue

This module analyses armed conflict and civil war, dictatorship and conflict transformation in the Latin American region. The module documents the conflicts of the twentieth century and seeks to understand to what degree they have been overcome or have evolved as a result of conflict transformation processes involving both national and international actors that accompanied regional democratisation. The module engages with theoretical approaches central to core subjects of international relations and political science, juxtaposing said theoretical analyses with discussions based upon comparative empirical research in the region. The module is of relevance to students interested in Latin America and in those conceptual frameworks relating to conflict and peace studies and introduces broader academic discussions relating to theories of conflict, peacebuilding, the State, social movements, democracy and human rights. The module will also provide instruments to those students interested in developing a career in public policy and policy-making in national and international institutions.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass IR2006

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 1-hour lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 10 weeks), 2 consultation hours with Coordinator (x 12 weeks). 2 hours examination feedback in week 1 of following semester.

Scheduled learning hours: 46

Guided independent study hours: 254

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr N J Barnes
Module teaching staff: Dr R Brett
Module coordinator email njb22@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Understand and critically reflect upon the diversity of Latin American politics, whilst being able to identify certain historical experiences and tendencies shared by the region’s countries.
• Analyze critically issues of Latin American conflict and violence, the region’s politics, institutional development, and political culture.
• Explain the relationship between conflict transformation, peacebuilding, democratization and patterns of collective action and violence in the Latin American context.
• Identify the principal challenges facing Latin American states emerging from internal conflict, civil war, and dictatorship.
• Understand the factors that leading to the expansion of criminal actors and violence and police militarization.
• Critically assess the relevance of predominant theoretical frameworks for Latin American politics.