Latin American Studies (MPhil)
专业详情
This is a 21-month programme which spans six academic terms, including a fieldwork project in Latin America (up to three months). The course will be informed by a range of disciplines: history, political science, sociology, economics and international relations. Major trends in the development of Latin America will be analysed with reference to the main categories of explanation advanced to interpret that development.
In the first year, students will choose two disciplinary papers from the following:
- Latin America since Independence
- Introduction to the Latin American Economies
- Sociology of Latin America
- The International Relations of Latin America
- The Politics of Democracy in Latin America.
In addition, students will choose three option papers, or may substitute these with further disciplinary papers. One paper will be taken in the first year, and two papers in the second year. As a guide, the following option papers are currently available but may vary from year to year:
- Andean Politics
- Human Rights in Latin America
- The Politics of Brazil
- Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime State & Society in Latin America
The course will provide you with a critical understanding of the major elements in the development of Latin America over the past two hundred years. You will be taught to relate economic and political trends, and to assess the importance of international influences. The course will demonstrate the way in which different disciplines contribute to an overall understanding of the historical development of the continent. You will also be taught the importance and the limitations of the comparative method of analysis.
A lively programme of LAC seminars, workshops and conferences with visiting speakers complements the MPhil programme, and you are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities to meet with and learn from fellow Latin Americanists.
A typical week during term time will involve around 40 hours of study, including two to six hours of scheduled contact hours, two hours for the weekly seminar and at least thirty hours of independent work. During peak times around deadlines, the amount of work could be higher depending on your own study habits.
