2025/2026
Russia and Latin America
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Mago-Lego
When:
3 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
24
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course is aimed at forming a holistic view of Russia's political, economic and cultural cooperation with Latin American countries at the beginning of the 21st century. It examines Russia's bilateral relations with key partners in the region, Russia's energy policy in Latin America, and the Russian diaspora in Latin America. The course is designed for students interested in contemporary Russian foreign policy as well as those who wish to acquire a basic knowledge of the foreign policy of Latin American countries.
Learning Objectives
- The main learning objectives are: • To provide students with comprehensive overview of the diversity of political institutions in Latin America, and major trends in the political, cultural, and socio-economic dynamics; • To provide students with knowledge of the peculiarities of modern political, economic and cultural relations between Russia and Latin America; • To ensure the development of the skills necessary to conduct political negotiations and business negotiations with Latin American partners.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Communicate effectively about Russo–Brazilian relations through oral presentations
- Evaluate the prospects of Russo–Mexican relations
- Identify the current challenges in Russo–Venezuelan relations
- Understand the key issues in Latin American Studies
- Demonstrate knowledge of the main stages in the development of political, economic, and cultural relations between Russia and Latin American countries
- Demonstrate knowledge of Latin American approaches to diplomacy and the characteristics of the foreign policy of the countries of the region
Course Contents
- 1. Introduction to Latin American Studies
- 2. An Overview of Russia–Latin America Political and Economic Relations in the late XX - early XXI century
- 3. Hard and Soft Power in Russia–Latin America Relations
- 4. Russia's relations with Brazil in the late XX - early XXI century
- 5. Russo-Mexican relations in the late XX - early XXI century
- 6. Russo-Venezuelan Relations in the Late 20th and Early 21st Centuries
Assessment Elements
- Seminar participationThis will be assessed on the basis of regular class attendance and contribution to seminar discussions. The frequency and quality of questions and comments on other students' presentations will also be taken into account. Each seminar will be graded on a scale of 0 to 10. The arithmetic average of the seminars (rounding) will be used to calculate the grade for the component.
- Group presentationAt the beginning of the seminars, students give a presentation on the topic. Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes (in the case of more interactive formats additional time may be negotiated with the instructor in advance). 10 minutes are allocated for discussion of the presentation and questions. Students are strongly encouraged to introduce single or comparative case studies to illustrate the topic of their presentation, use additional academic and expert literature and statistical data, apply all types of suitable software to engage with the audience and bring additional questions for the Q&A part of the exercise.
- ExamA student can be exempted from the exam on the lecturer's decision. If this is the case the grade for the course is grade point average for other forms of assessment. If not, the student is given 1 question and has 40 minutes to answer it.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 3rd module0.33 * Seminar participation + 0.34 * Exam + 0.33 * Group presentation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- A history of Latin America, Keen, B., 2013
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Robinson, W. I. (2008). Latin America and global capitalism : a critical globalization perspective / William I. Robinson. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.287606686