INTS 274-01, Contemporary Issues in Inter-American Relations, Fall 2011

Abstract

This course will introduce students to the evolution of inter-American affairs, with an emphasis on past and present relations between the United States and Latin America. Our overarching goal for the semester is to understand the consequences of U.S.–Latin American relations for democracy, human rights, and economic prosperity in the Western Hemisphere. The first segment of the course addresses U.S. involvement in Central and South America during the Cold War and the continued relevance of these policies today. We then analyze U.S. efforts to promote democracy during the post-Cold War “Age of Uncertainty.” The second part of the course focuses on inter-American economic and social relations; in particular, we will grapple with the much-debated issues of immigration and trade. Throughout the term, we will use specific country cases to shed light on these themes, examine a variety of actors involved in inter-American affairs (e.g., political leaders, activists, business, labor), and discuss the many political instruments — arms, money, ideas, etc. — that these actors use. In addition, we consider a range of perspectives from within the U.S. and Latin American countries. This course seeks to challenge and improve your understanding of the politics of U.S.–Latin American relations and international affairs more broadly. By the end of the semester, you should be better able to critically evaluate U.S. foreign policy, to assess media coverage of the issues discussed in class, and to support your own positions on these issues.