INS590 CY

European-Latin American Relations

 

Spring 1998

Tuesdays, 3:30pm-6:00pm

Joaquín Roy

 

Office: #144A, 1535 Brescia Ave.

Office Hours: Mondays 3-5pm; Tuesdays 1-3pm; Wednesdays 1-5pm

Tel.: 284-3266/4303/ fax 284-4406/ Home Tel.: 443-3435

email: jroy@sis.miami.edu

 

Tentative content:

 

This course deals primarily with the following main themes: (1) Shared history between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean; (2) mutual transfer of ideas (ideologies and political thought), perceptions (images and stereotypes), people (voluntary migration or slavery), goods (trade and investment); (3) theories and practice of North-South relations, development aid, and cooperation; (4) foreign policies of main European states and the European Community toward Latin America; an analysis of the specific foreign policy of Spain; (5) a comparison of regional integration architectures (the European Community experience as hipothetical model for inter-american integration); and (6) most importantly, how the above themes have affected inter-American relations and the hegemonic role of the United States, both in the Western Hemisphere and in the trans-Atlantic triangular scenario.

 

Requirements

One major paper/scholarly project (50%), 25-30 pages.

Ten reports/minipapers (30%), 300-500 words.

One final/take-home/essay test (20%), 10-20 pages.

 

Basic Books

 

Mujal-León, Eusebio. European Socialism and the Conflict in Central America. N.Y.: Praeger, 1989.

Purcell, Susan Kaufman, and Françoise Simon, (eds.) Europe and Latin America in the World Economy. Boulder, Co.: Lynne Rienner Publ., 1994, 235 p.

Roy, Joaquín (ed.). The Reconstruction of Central America: The Role of the European Community. Coral Gables, FL: University of Miami/North South Center/Iberian Studies Institute, 1992

Roy, Joaquín (ed.) The Ibero-American Space: Dimensions and Perceptions of the Special Relationship Between Spain and Latin America.  Miami: Iberian Studies Institute, University of Miami/ Lleida: "Jean Monnet" Chair for European Integration, University of Lleida.

Smith, Peter S. (ed). The Challenge of Integration: Europe and the Americas. Coral Gables, Fl.: University    of Miami/North South Center, 1993. 416 p.

Sutton, Paul (ed). Europe and the Caribbean. London: Macmillan Publishers, 1991.


Some topics for discussion or research

 

 

Britain's relations with Latin American and the Caribbean: history, balance, and prospects

 

France in Latin America and the Caribbean: Culture, Empire, Colonies, Outre-Mer

 

The Netherlands: a Small European State with a Foreign Policy

 

Italy and Latin America: History, Migration, Trade

 

The European Community/Union Policies with Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

The European Union Model of Integration: Is is Feasible in Latin America?

 

A Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.

 

Germany's Interests in Latin America: Ideas, Migration, Trade, Aid

 

How the United States Perceives European Actions in the Western Hemisphere?: From Monroe to the Miami Summit

 

What is Real Trade Value of Latin America for Europe?

 

Is Latin America a 'Domestic' Issue for Spain?: Empire, Migration, Language, Trade.

 

What are the Prospects for an Ibero-American Community of Nations?

 

Portugal and the Americas. Is Brazil a "Luso" Nation?

 

Cuba and European (and Russian) Actions: Before, During (and After?) Castro?

 

The Helms-Burton Law: A Cause for a Trade War?

 

 

 

Note on Language Requirement:

 

Successful completion of the course and the writing (within a specific time limit) of a research paper using optional original sources in Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese will grant a certificate of language profficiency to meet the GSIS requirements.


Expanded content:

 

This course, conducted in a combination of lecture/seminar format, deals with  central topic: the historical and current relationship between Europe and Latin America. Topics deal with five main themes: (1) Shared history between Europe and Latin America; (2) mutual transfer of ideas (ideologies and political thought), perceptions (images and stereotypes), people (voluntary and slavery), and goods (trade and investment); (3) foreign policies of main European states and the European Community toward Latin America; (4) a specific analysis of Spain's foreign policy towards Latin America; (5) a comparison between the evolution of the European Community and the integration process in the Americas inter-American, among them); and (6) how the above have affected inter-American relations and the hegemonic role of the United States.

          Among the specific events, conflicts, ore actions the following are included: the Monroe Doctrine and the Spanish-American War: British, French, Dutch, German and Italian policies; the role of Spain and Portugal in the shaping of the Latin American societies; Spain's 'special relationship'; Soviet insertion into Cuba; European role in the Central American crisis; the Falklands/Malvinas War; the European Community/Union's policy; and a comparison of the European and inter-American integration models.

Requirements

 

(1) One major paper (50%), 25-30 pages, publishable quality. MLA, Chicago, "new" or "old" style. Double space. Bibliography should include at least 20 academic sources (articles or books) in annotated format (basic data, plus 3-4 lines of commentary/summary). Grade will be based on the following categories (10 points each): research, creativity/thesis, bibliography and annotation, format (notes, organization), language (spelling, basic grammar). Papers can be submitted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian.

 

(2) Ten abstracts/reports (30%), 3 points each, 300-500 words. This serves as the base for participation. One subtopic in each topic/session is selected. A basic book, chapter, or major article is used as a base for analysis. A secondary article/chapter of book is added for comparison/reference. This system applies weekly from topic 3 until Topic 12. Participants will distribute one copy of their abstracts to the other colleagues, and two for the instructor.

 

(3) One final/take home test (20%), 6-8 pages. General topic will be announced shortly. However, the general theme is as follows:

"Summarize the major issues of European-Latin American relations, and select the major actors as relevant to today's global political and economic world structure".


Outline and Tentative Schedule

 

Tuesday, January  13: Topic 1

Some Introductory Questions and Issues

 

Jan. 20: Topic 2

Historical Background

 

Jan. 27: Topic 3

European-Latin American Relations in the XIXth Century (1824-1898)

 

Feb. 3: Topic 4

The American Century: 1898-1998?

 

Feb. 10: Topic 5

Sharing Ideologies and Politics

 

Feb. 17: Topic 6

European Powers in Contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean

 

Feb. 24: Topic 7

A Very Special Relationship: Spain

 

March 3: Topic 8

Spain's Latin American Policy since 1939

 

March 10: No class

 

March 17: Topic 9

Special Recent Conflicts and Actions

 

March 24: Topic 10

Regional Integration

 

March 31: Topic 11

The European Union's Policy

 

April 7: Topic 12

A Global Economic and Political Language?

 

April 14:

Summary and pending issues [ or make up]

 

April 21:

Reports