ISSSUM4531 – Latin America in the New Global Resource Politics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Course Dates: July 12-16, 2022. This digital course consists of 1 week of lectures and seminars summer session, with a take home exam the following week.
In this course you will learn about Latin America’s role in creating or hindering global processes of change towards a sustainable future. Latin America holds a large share of the world’s natural resources, including rainforests, metals, minerals, hydrocarbons and an extraordinary biodiversity. Its historical role has been to be a raw material producer, but it also holds the keys to limiting climate change and conserving biodiversity on land and in the oceans, and it has been the cradle of important thinking on development and the environment.
In this course we will first learn about Latin American thinking on environment and development and on the role of Latin America in global governance. The second part delves into constraints against more sustainable practices, focusing on the interaction between economic structures and political institutions. In the final part, we will look at key policies, movement and initiatives from Latin America aimed at reducing climate change and improving natural resource management.
Learning outcome
In this course you will learn about how global, national and local power structures interact to limit or strengthen initiatives and processes aimed at creating necessary change in practices for a more sustainable future, with a particular focus on Latin America.
It will enable the student to analyze and develop policies in different contexts characterized by distinct institutions and economic structures.
Admission
If you would like to take this course, you must apply directly to the International Summer School
Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
A completed Bachelor’s degree or a period of study comparable with a Norwegian Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution. Minimum academic requirements.
Applicants should have a related degree in social sciences and/or humanities.
Recommended previous knowledge
Applicants who meet the academic requirements, but do not have Latin-America studies in their academic profile might qualify with documented professional experience.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with SUM4031 – Latin American Politics and Development
- 5 credits overlap with SUM4531 – Latin America in the New Global Resource Politics
Teaching
This will be an intensive course. It will combine lectures and problem-based seminars focusing on questions like: How can we create sustainable practices to preserve the Amazon in spite of adverse political situations? How do the new super-power policies (China, the United States) impact on local initiatives for sustainable futures?
Class timings Monday-Friday will be 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. CEST, during which time synchronous teaching, discussions and seminars will take place. In addition, the students will be given pre-recorded lectures and assignments for self-study prior to the synchronous teaching sessions. Lectures held in realtime will also be recorded and made available online to the extent possible.
Active participation throughout the course is expected of all participants, and attendance during realtime lectures, seminars and discussions is required. The parts of the course based on recorded materials can be accessed by the students at any time during the course.
For remote learning, the University of Oslo uses secure Zoom video conferencing, and Canvas, the learning management system at UiO. Access to these platforms is provided by UiO to students when they have a UiO username and password.
Examination
The course is graded on the basis of a final take-home exam/term paper.
You can check your results and order transcripts in Studentweb three weeks after the exam.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
A student can take the class and sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must submit the Course change and withdrawal request form at the latest one week before the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam, which is the general rule at UiO.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.