Office of Study Abroad and Outreach

Politics in Latin America

 

Politics in Latin America

Latin America is a diverse region.  However, many countries share some of the same experiences.  In most of them, politics has been turbulent with revoutionary and guerrilla movements as well as military dictatorships common.  Even today, when almost all of the countries of the region are nominally democratic, the quality of democracy is uneven.  Economic development in the region has been elusive and the situation of women and minorities is less than ideal.

The primary question posed in this Course is "Why?".  You'll examine four key sets of factors: cultural-historical; political-institutional; economic, and international to answer this question.  The processes of democratization will be considered through study of the current situation of democracies in the region--Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.


Overview
Location(s)  Cordoba, Argentina
Term   Spring 2025
Credit   POLS 329, 3 sh
Class Sessions Spring 2025  (exact dates/times/location TBD)  
Travel Dates May 11-30, 2025
Housing   Hotel
Passport Required
Visa (for US citizens) Not required
 
Eligibility
GPA 2.5
Hours completed 12
Student Conduct
Good status
Grad credit Yes
Non-WIU   Yes
Student Year Sophomore, Junior, Senior
 

Entry Requirements

Passport required--must be valid until December 31, 2025. For information on how to apply for or renew a passport, see Passports 101 .
Current passport processing times are 6-8 weeks.  Plan accordingly to avoid issues obtaining your visa, airine tickets, and other necessary items for travel.  Failure to receive your passport in time can lead to postponement of your program.

Visa required if not a US citizen.  It is your responsibility to check the Argentine Consulate in Chicago's website for more information.  Visa costs not included in program cost.

 
Health Insurance

You must have international health insurance for the time you are on your program. One option is approved to meet this requirement:

  • WIU student health insurance
  • A supplemental policy (Patriot Travel Medical) from International Medical Group (IMG)   Additional details supplied after program acceptance.
 
Health Precautions

COVID-19 - You are REQUIRED to follow the policies of your host country, the CDC and TSA.  It is your responsibility to know and understand these policies.  If policies change before or during your Course, it is your responsbility to comply with the new policies.  Failure to do so can result in removal from your Course and/or the host country, financial consequences and academic consequences.

Walking/mobility/travel - Expect to walk up to 5 miles/day with sturdy footwear.  It is not consecutive but scheduled throughout the day, sometimes over uneven terrain, unpaved areas, and up/down flights of stairs.  You will be responsible for moving your own luggage.   

Environmental - Average daytime temperatures range in the 60s for this time period.  Parts of the Course are held outside, rain or shine.  Sun protection is strongly recommended.  

Dietary - Some meals are included in the program cost. Contact Kim McDaniel  if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Vaccinations - No vaccinations are required for entry into Argentina.  Up to date vaccination recommendations are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website .

Accessability - Accessability and accommodation are very different than than found in the United States.  Please contact Disability Resources for questions on the availability of accommodations for your specific situation.

PLEASE NOTE   It is your responsibility to request accommodation from DR; faculty and staff are not legally permitted to inquire about such needs.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange accommodations in your location.

 

Costs & Important Dates

Estimated Cost* $1,560-$2,740  based on minimum enrollment of 8 students
Included in the program Roundtrip airfare from Chicago, transportation for site visits and excursions, multi-bedded occupancy lodging, entry fees to scheduled sites, some meals
Application Deadline EXTENDED -- November 11, 2024
Payments  
Non-refundable Deposit $375 due December 6, 2024
Second payment
$1,000 due January 31, 2025
Final payment* Balance due February 28, 2025

* Costs subject to change based on student enrollment, exchange fluctuation, and flight costs.

WIU reserves the right to adjust the cost or arrangements of this program due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond the University's control.  For details about this or individual withdrawals, see Cancellations and Withdrawals .


Important Dates

Passport copy deadline:  January 31, 2025  Failure to meet this deadline will result in removal from the group flight and increased costs.

MANDATORY Pre-departure meeting: TBA, Spring 2025

 

Academics

Credit offered

POLS 329 - Option for Multicultural graduation requirement.  Counts towards completion of a Political Science major or minor.  

Please check with your academic advisor for more information on how this Course fits your specific academic needs.

 

Objectives/activities
  • Discover the influences culture, history, politics, institutions, economics, and international factors have had on Latin America, specifically Argentina
  • Examine the current state of democracies in Latin America
  • Identify significant events that have impacted Argentina's people's way of life 
  • Tour famous landmarks in Cordoba and Buenos Aires to learn about Argentinian culture

Class sessions

Active class participation, including contribution to discussions and attendance, is expected in all phases of the Course.  You are responsible for completing pre-departure assignments including readings and discussion participation, attendance and active participation during on-site visits, guest lectures and activities, and post-return assignments.  Questions about course content should be directed to Dr. Julia Albarracin .

Student testimonials

Coming soon!

 



 


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Contact Us

Kim McDaniel
For Faculty Led

kd-mcdaniel@wiu.edu

Memorial 348

309-298-2504

Advising appointments

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Dr. Julia Albarracin
Faculty leader

j-albarracin@wiu.edu

Morgan 428

309-298-2566

Heather McIlvaine-Newsad
Dr. Heather McIvaine-Newsad
Faculty leader

h-mclivaine-newsad@wiu.edu

Morgan 408

309-298-1264


Information Sessions

October 16, 4 pm, Zoom link available upon request from either leader or Kim McDaniel

October 24, 6 pm, Zoom link available upon request from either leader or Kim McDaniel

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