Political Economy of Latin America OpenCourseWare: A Free Grad-Level Political Science Class by MIT on Latin America

Published Feb 15, 2009

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) free 'Political Economy of Latin America' OpenCourseWare examines the variations in political and economic development in Latin American countries. This course is for Ph.D. students earning a degree in Political Science. Students should have a background in political economy and the history and geography of Latin America before taking this free course.

Political Economy of Latin America: Course Specifics

Degree Level Free Audio Video Downloads
Graduate Yes No No Yes

Lectures/Notes Study Materials Tests/Quizzes
No Yes No

Political Economy of Latin America: Course Description

The Department of Political Science at MIT in Cambridge, MA, offers this free graduate-level course examining the political and economic situation in Latin America. The course examines the dependencies and developments of Latin American states, such as the dependency of Mexico on the steroid hormones industry and the development of multinational and state-owned concerns in Brazil. Students examine how varying political philosophies have resulted in Central American instability, despotism, national revolts, wars and democracy. Economic and market reform is examined in case studies, like Venezuela's previous market-oriented reforms and Mexico's peso crisis. The course also examines parties, elections, religion, political mobilization, civil society, revolution, mass media and political transitions. After completing this course, students should be prepared to pursue independent research and complete field exams in the topic.

Political science professor Dr. Chappell Lawson teaches this course. Students must have access to the required readings for this course.

This OpenCourseWare includes a bibliography and related external links. Those interested in this free course should visit the Political Economy of Latin America course page.

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