Junior Economics Tutorial: Topics in Latin American Economic History
CSS 320
Spring 2026
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01
02
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This tutorial will focus on macroeconomic policies and political economy debates in Latin America from the 1930s onward, examined through a historical perspective. Specifically, it will address three key issues. First, it will analyze the long-standing debate on Latin American economic development, structured around two paradigms: import substitution industrialization (ISI), associated with Latin American structuralism, and export-led growth. Second, it will examine the management of economic crises in the region, with particular attention to two recurrent challenges: persistent high inflation and the balance of payments constraint. Finally, it will explore the predominance of informal labor and its direct connection to the inability of Latin American governments to achieve full employment. In sum, the tutorial will provide a comprehensive overview of the historical roots of structural heterogeneity and extreme inequality in the region's political economy. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS ECON |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (College of Social Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 - 3rd Quarter |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Bulmer-Thomas, V. (2014) THE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA SINCE INDEPENDENCE. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bértola, L. and J. Ocampo (2012) THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LATIN AMERICA SINCE INDEPENDENCE. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Thorp R. (1998) PROGRESS, POVERTY AND EXCLUSION. AN ECONOMIC HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA IN THE 20TH CENTURY. Washington, D.C.: Inter-American Development Bank.
All other readings TBD and will be posted on Library eReserve and Moodle.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly Response Papers -- 40%
Final Paper -- 40%
Class Participation -- 20% |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Course open to CSS juniors only.
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| Instructor(s): Castillo-García,César Jeanpierre Times: .....F. 10:30AM-12:30PM; Location: TBA |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 12 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
| SECTION 02 - 4th Quarter |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
TBD |
Examinations and Assignments:
TBD |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Course open to CSS juniors only.
|
| Instructor(s): Castillo-García,César Jeanpierre Times: .....F. 10:30AM-12:30PM; Location: TBA |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 12 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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