Economic Integration in Latin America

In recent decades, Latin American countries have adapted quickly and wisely to external changes in order to compete in the globalized world. They have done so both individually and collectively. Starting from the notion of a knowledge-based economy, this course will study how highly educated and talented people and dynamic economies have crossed national borders and taken advantage of the social and cultural similarities of countries in the region as well as their geographical proximity. In 1985, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay created Mercosur (which Venezuela joined in mid-2012) in the belief that an integration process was needed to reconfigure industries and trade, coordinate policies and promote the insertion of its productive sector to the world´s economy. This course will provide a truly comprehensive perspective that will enable students to analyze and understand the integration processes in Latin America and how they are helping regional economies to compete globally. In the current world crisis scenario, Mercosur?s industrial and commercial diversification through horizontal integration and cooperation can serve as a case study of sorts to re-think regional development.

The University of Belgrano utilizes a 45-minute contact hour whereas the United States higher education system utilizes a 50-minute contact hour. All University of Belgrano courses represent the 45 contact hour amount and an estimated US credit calculation based on the contact hours. Each University of Belgrano transcript will include the number of hours per week and the weeks in the semester, so US universities may calculate the appropriate number of US credits for students.