IRI 314:  Brazil + International Relations: 
Brazil'S GLOBAL VOICE


Purpose:
  • This course is designed for undergraduate students looking for an understanding of the important role that Brazil is playing on the global stage.  

Introduction:
  • In the past several years, Brazil has assumed a more prominent voice on global trade and energy issues. As the global financial crisis took hold in 2008, Brazil appeared poised to recover more quickly than many others mainly due to strong industrial and agricultural exports. Brazil's economic rise has led it to pursue greater influence in international forums at the same time that it fosters cooperation among countries in the developing world with "south-south" initiatives. Moreover, the selection of Brazil as host of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics has put the country in the international spotlight as the government accelerates its economic development in preparation for these events. Analysts say that the United States stands to benefit from a stronger Brazil that serves as a partner on energy and regional security initiatives, but it must be careful not to view Brazil's rise as a challenge, or, during a time of great economic turmoil, neglect the relationship.

Abstract: 
  • For some, international relations means the diplomatic-strategic relations of states, and the natural focus of International Relations is on issues of war and peace, conflict and cooperation. However, in an intensely globalized world, International Relations had to shift its focus towards the intensification of cross-border interactions and interdependence between countries, approaching important issues such as: world politics, world economy, social tensions, environmental problems, trade negotiations, state and non-state institutions. International Relations is the study of the complexities and the ever changing dynamics of the international scenario.
  • The fall of The Berlin Wall and the fragmentation of the Soviet bloc and the immediate changes in the Brazilian Foreign Policy projections. The inconsistencies in The New World Order – the new role of diplomacy in the International Trade. Brazil in a globalized scenario – the Collor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Lula da Silva administrations in a New World Order. The South Cone (MERCOSUL) perspective and its insertion in economic blocs – NAFTA and FTAA. The importance of the BRICs for Brazil’s foreign economic policy. Terrorism and the adjustment to the “Bush Doctrine” and preventive war. The diplomacy of military peace-keeping. The political desire to obtain a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Leadership position in new political and economic blocs in an already consolidated World Order

Course Description:
  • Brazil’s rise as a great power raises important questions about how that power might be used in its relations with other states.  This class explores the rapid growth of Brazil on the global stage, with a reflection in the interactions among Latin American states and between Brazil and other states. Topics include:  Sustainable Development, Theory and Policy; Transitions from Authoritarian Rule; Civil-Military Relations; Transition to Democracy; BRICS; Emerging Markets; Parties and Elections in Brazil; Religion; Political Mobilization; and Civil Society.

Course Objectives:
  • Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to understand the causes and consequences of Brazil’s recent rise on the global stage.   
  • (1) A brief theoretical approach to the International Relations field (2) Discuss the basic concepts of Brazilian Foreign Policy through a brief social and historical approach. (3) To familiarize the students with the historical debates surrounding the formulation of the main tenets of the Brazilian Foreign Policy. (4) Offer many methodological approaches that permit students to construct a critical assessment of the Brazilian Foreign Policy. (5) To stimulate the analysis of foreign policy as an important mechanism for the development of a solid professional in International Relations.

Prerequisites:
  • Undergraduate or graduate-level students from all majors are welcome to apply. See application guidelines for requirements.

Course Requirements:
  • The course requires active student participation.  Students are expected to read the assigned textbook chapters, cases and articles before every class.  There will be a midterm exam, a final exam, case studies and a team project. Students are required to attend professional visits.

Teaching Procedures and Methodology:
  • Teaching methods used in this course include lectures, case discussions and group assignments. Learning in this course requires the student’s constructive participation and active involvement in both class discussions and small group discussions.  Small group discussions, in particular, are a key mechanism for facilitating learning from other team members.  

Required Readings:
  • "Brazil: The Troubled Rise of a Global Power", Michael Reid, Yale University Press; First Edition, June 10, 2014
  • Additional readings will be assigned by the professor.  Weekly required readings average approximately 175 pages.  These readings are designed to acquaint students with core paradigms in Brazil, as well as some of the most well known or well done empirical studies.  Additional recommended readings and websites each weak will supplement the required readings. 

Recommended Readings:
  • "Brazilian Foreign Policy in Changing Times", Tulo Vigevani, Gabriel Cepaluni, Lexington Books, New York, 2012
  • "Understanding International Relations", Chris Brown, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1997
  • "The Globalization of World Politics", John Baylis, Steve Smith, Oxford University Press, New York, 2001
  • “The New Brazil”, Professor Riordan Roett, Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University (Director of the Western Hemisphere Studies and Latin American Studies Programs).  Brookings Institutional Press; 1st edition (August 2, 2010).
  • "Brazil on the Rise, The Story of a Country Transformed", Larry Rohter. Palgrave Macmillan (February 28, 2012). 

Recommended online articles:
  • “Brazil on the International Stage” - Council on Foreign Relations, Stephanie Hanson, July 2012

Useful Websites:

Team Project:
  • Working in teams, students will develop an in-depth analysis of Brazil’s leadership role in Latin America.  To facilitate this analysis, a team project will be assigned by the course professor on the first day of class.  Papers require thinking about issues raised in readings and class discussion, and will be due on the last day of class..  The project report should be between 5 and 7 pages in length  

Course Content:
  • All of our courses are designed with a modular format.  Students should expect to cover at least 80% of the content per module, depending upon the Session selected, in addition to the "Introduction to Brazil" materials.
  • Section 1: Brief  Historical perspectives of  the Brazilian Foreign Policy
  • The Baron of Rio Branco  (1902-1912)
  • The Vargas Era: struggle with The Great Depression
  • The Juscelino Kubitschek Administration: The Pan-American Operation (OPA)
  • The Jânio Quadros Administration: crosscut steps in the Cold War
  • The João Goulart  (Jango) Administration: reestablishment o diplomatic ties with the USSR
  • The Military Administrations post – 1964
  • The Foreign Policy of the José Sarney Administration
  • The Foreign Policy of the Fernando Collor Administration
  • The Foreign Policy of the Itamar Franco Administration
  • The Foreign Policy of the Fernando Henrique Cardoso Administration
  • The Foreign Policy of the Luis Inácio “Lula” da Silva  Administration
  • Section 2: Analytical Perspective of the Brazilian Foreign Policy
  • The Fernando Henrique Cardoso years: ITO, MERCOSUL, European Union, ALCA (FTAA)
  • The Luis Inácio “Lula” da Silva years: Autonomy through diversification Strategy, South-South Cooperation, The BRICS, IMF
  • Brazil in the asymmetric axis of the international system: Identity, Globalized World, Diplomacy, Permanent seat in the UN Security Council
 

Module - Introduction to Brazil
  • With a focus on political and cultural issues, students will visit Brazilian companies and organizations and will engage in cultural visits.  These visits will be integrated back into the classroom during our daily "debrief" sessions called "Introduction to Brazil". 

Schedule
  • Students should expect to be in class in the morning, and to have professional visits to leading Brazilian and international companies in the afternoons.  Class schedules are posted online.

Components of Final Grade:
    Midterm exam 20%
    Final exam      30%
    Team project   20%
    Participation    10%
    Introduction to Brazil 20%

Grading Scale:
    A    93 - 100%
    A-   90 - 92.9%
    B+  87 - 89.9%
    B    83 - 86.9%
    B-   80 - 82.9%
    C+  77 - 79.9% 
    C    73 - 76.9%
    C-   70 - 72.9%
    D+  67 - 69.9%
    D    63 - 66.9%
    D-   60 - 62.9%
    F    Below 60%


Credit Transfer:
  • Courses are designed in order to facilitate the acceptance of credits by U.S. based and international universities.  Students that successfully complete our courses should be able to transfer academic credits from our host university (ESPM) to their home university.

Host University:
  • Founded in 1961, ESPM (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing) established itself as a center of excellence in the teaching of administration, marketing, international relations and communications.  It is among the elite few in Brazil to receive the highest grade in evaluation by MEC (the Brazilian Ministry of Education).  

Language:
  • This courses is taught 100% in English.  
  • English proficiency is required.  

Academic Integrity:
  • ESPM places a high value on the integrity, good conduct and academic honesty of all students.  Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity at all times.  Any instance of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of F for the course.
  

Course Summary:
  • Course Code:  IRI 314
  • Professor:  Ricardo Gomes
  • Academic Credits:  3
  • Hours:  48 academic hours
  • Program: Summit Brazil
  • Hosted by:  ESPM (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing)
Download Syllabus:
Syllabus IRI 314.pdf
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