Teaching plan for the course unit

 

 
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General information

 

Course unit name: Culture and Business in Latin America and the Caribbean

Course unit code: 364582

Academic year: 2025-2026

Coordinator: José Alejandro Peres Cajias

Department: Department of Economic History, Institutions and Policy and World Economy

Credits: 6

Single program: S

 

 

Estimated learning time

Total number of hours 150

 

Face-to-face and/or online activities

60
 

-  Lecture with practical component

Face-to-face

  

60

Supervised project

40

Independent learning

50

 

 

Competences / Learning outcomes to be gained during study

 

   -

CB3 - Ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within the field of study) to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.
   -

CG9 - Capacity to interpret the evolution of the business environment and adaptations to change.
   -

CG8 - Capacity to communicate in English and/or other foreign languages orally and in writing, comprehension skills, and mastery of specialized language.
   -

CE11 - Understanding of the culture and business practices of different countries, as the basis for adapting to an interacting effectively with other geopolitical contexts.
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CE2 - Comprehensive understanding of the international economic, legal and socio-political framework, and ability to use this knowledge to oversee international business decisions.

Learning objectives

 

Referring to knowledge

— Examine and apply economic concepts to economic activity in Latin America. 
— Describe and analyse the main macroeconomic and socioeconomic trends in Latin America and the Caribbean region. 
— Use different economic, political and social indicators to evaluate business in the region.

 

Referring to abilities, skills

— Search, evaluate and make use of resources and materials on Latin American economics, history and politics. 
— Apply acquired knowledge into a written project structured as a case study. 
— Communicate information, ideas and research results in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.

 

Referring to attitudes, values and norms

— Display an interest in news and important events occurring in Latin America and relate them to previous knowledge acquired in other subjects of the degree. 
— Develop an entrepreneurial spirit and foster interest in professional development in Latin America. 
— Participate actively in class discussions with sound arguments and be respectful of the ideas of others.

 

 

Teaching blocks

 

1. An initial snapshot: one or many regions?

2. Institutions, natural resources and dependency: theoretical instruments to understand the region

3. A macro perspective on heterogeneity: international economic integration and economic complexity

4. A micro perspective on heterogeneity: from informality to the rise of Multilatinas

5. The creative economy in Latin America

6. Reverse innovation in Latin America

7. Innovation and biodiversity

8. Innovation and the role of the state in Latin America: risks and opportunities

9. Innovation and the role of inequality in Latin America: risks and opportunities

 

 

Teaching methods and general organization

 

Active participation of students in all the learning activities proposed is a key element of the course. For this reason, attendance and participation in all activities is essential.

The course combines two methodologies (lectures and project-based learning) and different kinds of activities, the most important being:
— Lectures supported by audiovisual materials.
— Discussions on structured materials provided by the lecturer in advance.
— Use and creation of databases.
— Group work.

 

 

Official assessment of learning outcomes

 

Continuous assessment

Attendance and participation are especially important in the assessment procedure. For this reason, the official evaluation of learning outcomes is based on a continuous mode of  assessment. The final grade is calculated as follows:

 

— Two final projects prepared throughout the course on an economic topic of a specific country in the region (25% each, 50% in total).

— Written tests on specific issues previously defined, typically based on the reading of papers (25%).

— Attendance and active participation in class discussions, activities and practical exercises proposed by the lecturer (25%).

The main criteria considered in the assessment of both participation in class activities and the final paper are:


— The rigour and clarity of arguments.
— Solid documentary and/or bibliographic support.

 

Examination-based assessment

Students who do not pass the assessment procedure (or who opt out of the continuous mode of evaluation) are entitled to a single mode of assessment, which requires them to sit a final exam.

 

 

Reading and study resources

Check availability in Cercabib

Article

The lecturer will provide specific bibliography for each topic. This bibliography and the audiovisual learning materials will be uploaded to the Virtual Campus.