The course is an undergraduate elective courseat the School of Political Sciences and it is provided in Greek. It offersstudents a thorough overview of the diverse relationship between the European Union and Latin America. Covering political, economic, and social dimensions, it explores the historical context, current dynamics, and prospects of collaboration. Utilizing aninterdisciplinary approach, the course includes lectures, case studies, interactive discussions, and guest lectures by experts in EU-Latin America relations.
This course starts by an introduction to the political systems, politics and society of Latin America. It includes an overview of the region as a whole, with analysis and study both of specific countries (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia…) and of cross-cutting issues (external dependence and regionalization, social and racial inequalities, democratization and the role of the various oligarchies, the role of religion). It begins with a historical, geopolitical and geographical overview of Latin America and identifies and tries to explain common features and processes in the birth and development of countries and their role in the regional context and international relations.
Next, the course focuses on specific topics in Latin America (including the role of religion, the presence of the military, the promotion of ethnic policies, the rise of civil society, land reform and land ownership, political and economic violence, and the US presence).
The last part of the course focuses on EU- Latin America relations. It starts with the historical and cultural ties, the colonial legacies as well as the Cold War period and their impact on modern interregional dynamics, before coming to the present time. It analyses the institutional Framework of the relations between the EU and individual Latin American states and regional organisations and examines the economic and trade relations (such as the EU-Mercosur trade deal) and challenges in economic relations (tariffs, agriculture, and sustainability). Finally, it investigates political and social dimensions, such as human rights and democracy promotion in Latin America, migration and environmental cooperation and climate change challenges.
The course is open to other students of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Series of lectures