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Latin American Studies - Bachelor's Course

You have now taken several courses in Latin American Studies and it is time to write a dissertation connected to this topic. Bachelor's Course in Latin American Studies gives you the tools and guidance through the different steps of academic writing

Biblioteca Nacional, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
Biblioteca Nacional, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Foto: Carlos yo, CC BY-SA 4, Wikimedia

The course comprises an independent project for the Bachelor's Degree and two modules; one with a focus on cross discipline theory and method, one with a focus on a thematic and regional specialization connected to the independent project. The project is carried out as a limited research project the end result of which is a scientific paper. In the initial stages of the project students acquire a deeper knowledge in the design of a scientific research paper.

  • Course structure

    Modules

    Module 1 - Social Science Methods, 7,5 credits
    The course deepens the knowledge which was acquired at the level of the intermediate course and surveys the interdisciplinary perspective and its methods as well as gives an more profound understanding of Latin American social theory.
    The course deals with among other things the following areas:
    -the interdisciplinary perspective and its method
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    - Different social science foci and their application to Latin America; e.g. ethnographic method, source
    critique, feminist and post-colonial thought.
    -Method that in the first instance is research strategy, that is to say principles and approach to formulation and solution of research tasks.

    Module 2 - Thematic and Geographical Specialization, 7.5 ECTS
    The aim of the module is to analyse Latin America from the perspective of human geography. It discusses on how nation-states have been formed in relation to itheir territories. Particular attention is paid to how geographical conditions have affected processes of urbanization, state structures, societal structures, cultural characteritics and demographical change. These themes are analyzed from regional (Latin America) and subregional (e.g. Central America) perspectives, also considering historical processes. It also highlights geographical macro perspectives, with an orientation towards how broad geographical structures have been integrated or ended up in conflict with national and sub-national units. Apart from Human Geography, the module also include perspectives taken from disciplines such as political science, economic history and anthropology.

    Module 3 - Independent project, 15 ECTS
    The course comprises an independent project for the Degree of Bachelor. The project is carried out as a limited research the end result of which is a scientific paper. In the initial stages of the examination project students acquire a deeper knowledge in the design of a scientific research.
    The course deals with among other things:
    - the approach for formulating and solving the research problem,
    - placing the work in a theoretical context,
    - choosing an appropriate method (design and more specific method) in relation to the problem
    formulation,
    - logic (red thread/logical connection from problem via purpose, research questions, method, result to
    conclusion,
    - readability (structure, typographical design, and language use)
    The course shall provide training to increase the ability to carry out a limited research task with a certain degree of independence.

    Teaching format

    Together, the three modules comprise lectures , seminars, group work and individual tutoring. Each module has its own combination of formats. Module 3 is a series of interactive seminars on the process of writing an academic dissertation. 

    Assessment

    Module 1
    Oral presentation, written papers
    Module 2
    Short papers, oral presentation
    Module 3
    Essay

    Examiner

    Thaïs Machado-Borges

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
  • Course reports

  • More information

    Learning and collaboration platform: Athena

  • Meet us

  • Contact

    Student Affairs Office

    Student Affairs Office
    Latin American Studies
    Directors of Studies first and second level