UNIVERSIDAD DE ESPECIALIDADES ESPÍRITU SANTO

FACULTAD DE ESTUDIOS INTERNACIONALES

SYLLABUS
ENGLISH VERSION
FOR DAC 11 VER 19 05 08

SUBJECT: Andean & Mercosur Economic Markets CODE: USSC425

FACULTY: Maríalaura Armijo CREDITS: 3 UEES (S.N.C.C. 4.8)
CONTACT HOURS: 48 NON-CONTACT HOURS
YEAR: 2008 PERIOD: Spring I
DAYS: Mon - Thurs SCHEDULE: 7:25 – 8:45
ROOM G-221 SYLLABUS DATE Feb 2009

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course covers topics important for doing business in the markets of Latin America, emphasizing
economic interactions between Ecuador and other countries in the Andean Community and in MERCOSUR.
Although heaviest emphasis is placed upon the agreements and countries of MERCOSUR, the Andean
Community, and UNASUR the course covers other countries and current/proposed agreements that influence
economic activities in the region. Such topics include the influence of the World Trade Organization on Latin
American markets and the current status of the Andean Free Trade Agreement, the Free Trade Agreement of
the Americas, and the South American Community of Nations. Students consider relationships and
agreements between Latin American organizations and major economic powers such as the United States
and the European Union. Also, the impact of the TLC signed by Colombia and Peru will be discussed, and the
financial and economic crisis that the world is facing.

Because the situations in both global and Latin American markets are changing continually, the course
stresses the importance of knowing how to research and to evaluate current market conditions to form
opinions and predictions relevant for recognizing economic opportunities. The course emphasizes the
importance of data analysis, comparative analysis, and looking for the causes of comparative and
competitive advantages. Students consider how the issues of the course can influence their careers and how
they can improve their decisions by monitoring related current developments in the region. Generic
arguments for and against globalization, regionalization, and protectionism are discussed, and the effects of
specific actions upon particular countries becomes a continuing theme throughout the course. The course
explores economic, cultural, educational, political, legal, geographic, and environmental factors in Latin
America as they influence the regions’ markets and economic results.

2. JUSTIFICATION

This course provides an overview of South American countries, both macroeconomically and culturally. It
permits students to develop analytical abilities and gather information that will help them understand the
regions development and learn how to take advantage of future situations.

3. OBJECTIVES

A. GENERAL
Understanding current events in South America regarding Political and Economical Union. Learn
how to analyze macro-economic information in order to understand competitive advantages of
South American nations and it’s role in the globalized world.
B. SPECIFIC
• Develop research abilities
• Understanding of Latin American cultural and historical background
• Discussing of Free Trade and Protectionist Policies
• Analysis of Economic and Political Block – European Union – Nafta
• Analysis of Latin American Union – CAN; MERCOSUR; ALBA, FTAA, UNASUR
4. COMPETENCIES
• To examine different research sources – library and internet
• Create Analytical and comprehension abilities – summarization abilities.
• To introduce and interpret macro-economical data of countries.
 • To Discuss and argue an hypothesis presented.
• Identification of current Political South American Status
5. COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE
Dates Specific CONTENTS Homework Performance
Competencies indicators
March
Mon 15 The student Syllabi analysis, group Analyze class
recognizes research assignation, Class content and
basics and class Description, methodology
functioning. Introduction.
Macroeconomic Data
useful to analyze a
country.
Tues 16 The student Lecture. Discussion Read information regarding Class discussion
identifies about some Economic European Community and of referenced
characteristics of communities. EU and Nafta (40 pages) History, topics
Economic Nafta what they are, main events
communities and agreements.
Wed 17 The student exposes Protectionism vs. Free Compare and
and arguments. Trade; Comparative contrast
Advantage
Continue Discussion on Ref 1 (Baalam & Veseth) Students present
Liberalism, Mercantilism .Read Chapters 2, 3 and 4. views based on
and Utopian Societies. Write an essay with research
arguments for and against
free trade.
Thurs 18 The student Ecuador and Peru Write a current article about Class discussion
interprets, reviews your assigned country. and analysis
and presents Topic (Political or
information economical news).
regarding selected
country. Study the EIU Reports on
Ecuador and Peru. (19p, 4h)
EBSCO
The student Colombia and Bolivia Study the EIU Reports on Class discussion
interprets, reviews Colombia and compare to and analysis
and presents Ecuador and Peru. (15p, 2h)
information EBSCO
regarding selected
country.
Mon 22 The student Argentina and Chile Study the EIU Reports on Class discussion
interprets, reviews Argentina and Chile. and analysis
and presents Compare to Columbia,
information Ecuador, and Peru. (29p,
regarding selected 4.5h) EBSCO
country.
The student Venezuela and México Study the EIU Reports on Class discussion
interprets, reviews Venezuela and Mexico. and analysis
and presents Compare to countries we
information already studied. (25p, 4h)
regarding selected EBSCO
country.
Tues 23 The student Paraguay , Uruguay and Study the EIU Reports on Class discussion
interprets, reviews Brazil Paraguay, Uruguay and and analysis
and presents Brazil. Compare to countries
information we already studied. (31p,
regarding selected 4.5h) EBSCO
country.
Wed 24 The student Japan, U.S. EU Reference 2 ( Knippers Lecture about
interprets, reviews Black) Chapters 7,8,9,10 Developing
and presents and 12, 14 – limit date countries
information
regarding selected
country.
Thurs 25 The student 10-Country Review what you learned Presentations
interprets, reviews Comparative Analysis from the 10 country and class
and composes readings we have analyzed. discussion
information Write a short paper (about 5
regarding selected pages) to hand in. Take the
country. perspective of Ecuador, or
an Ecuadorian business, and
summarize the important
points you learned related
to doing business with the
other 8 countries. A way to
do it (but not the only way)
is to make groups of similar
countries and discuss the
groups. (0p, 4h)
Mon 29 Identification of MERCOSUR and Find and summarize two Evaluate
common comparison with EU; current articles about advantages and
characteristics democracy & free trade MERCOSUR. (10p, 1.5h) disadvantages
between economic
blocks.
Identification of Andean Read and present two Presentations
Tues 30 common Pact/Community articles about Andean and class
characteristics Pact/Community. (10p, discussion
between economic 1.5h)
blocks.
Wed 31 Identification of Andean Community & Read and present two Lecture and class
common South American article about UNASUR (3 p, discussion
characteristics Community of Nations 1.5 h)
between economic UNASUR; 4 Levels of
blocks.. Economic Integration
April
Mon 5 MID TERM
First half of the bimester ends. Second half of the bimester begins.
Wed 7 The student Culture Background. Research country culture Discuss
interprets, reviews Mercosur Cultures: assigned. Presentations similarities and
and composes Argentina, Brazil, differences.
information Paraguay, Uruguay,
regarding selected Chile
Thurs 8 country. Andean Cultures: Presentations Presentations
Colombia, Ecuador, Reference 2 (Knippers and class
Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia Black) Read Ch 20-24) discussion
Mon 12 Cultures of Mexico, and Read “Culture Notes” (5p, Presentations
China; 1h) and class
discussion
Tues 13 Culture of Spain; Read one article about FTAA Presentations
Overview of Latin (Free Trade Area of the and class
American Culture Americas) to discuss in discussion
Free Trade Agreement class. Try to find something
of the Americas – FTAA from the South American
perspective (in Spanish or
English). (2p, 1.5h)
Reference 2 (Knippers
Black) Read Ch 20-24)
Wed 14 The students review Economic problems: Read an article about WTO Presentations
and composes about Argentina and Peru. and another one about IMF and class
specific latin Andean Free Trade as related to Ecuador (or discussions
american issues and Agreement issues. Mercosur or Andean
topics selected. WTO as related to Community) (5p, 1.5h).
Andean Community and Discussion of assigned
Mercosur. topics (individual project)
Compare trade
agreement issues (FTA,
FTAA, WTO).
Connections between
cultural factors and
 economic issues.
Thurs 15 Commercial and Discussion of assigned Assess successful
Political Relations topics (individual project) business
between Countries. partnerships
Discussion of
contemporary issues.
Mon 19 Commercial and Discussion of assigned Identify
Political Relations topics (individual project) diffeerent views
between Countries. and its effects
Discussion of
contemporary issues.
Tues 20 UNASUR Current Write 2-3 pages based on Presentations
Events, especially what information from UNASUR
is relevant for Ecuador meetings. Indicate how the
and South America results of the meetings will
affect Ecuador and other
members of the region. Is
South American union
possible (20p, 3h)
Wed 21 Review- Conclusions of Review for final exam
everything discussed including reading
PowerPoint slides of all
presentations (56p, 10h).
Analysis of reading ref 2
(chapters 20 – 29)
Thurs 22 FINAL EXAM

6. METHODOLOGY

Reading material, discussion boards and other relevant information will be permanently posted on
blackboard, and it will be students’ responsibility to review it prior to class.

This is a reading discussion based course that will require continuous student attendance. Student
knowledge and competencies will be evaluated through daily class participation, question-and-answer
sessions and examination through authentic assessment i.e., demonstrating what has been learned.
There will be quizzes and cases to solve to show understanding and use of concepts, as well as oral
presentations. Thus students are required to read the material before coming to class.

Note that students CANNOT make-up missed work through class absence. Students are highly encouraged to
maintain a consistent presence during all scheduled class times.

The student will arrive to class exactly on the hour, no student will be allowed in to class. According to the
university regulations, a student can only miss 20% of the total hours of classes per subject; if the student
goes over this percent, the student automatically fails the class

Students are expected to respect the thoughts, ideas, opinions, and contributions of others and to be actively
involved in all classes. Students should express disagreement respectfully.

7. ASSESSMENT
Assessment Criteria
The student will be assessed through daily participation, oral presentations based on individual research on
assigned topics and evaluation through testing. Unannounced quizzes may be taken at any moment.

Performance markers
By the conclusion of this class the student will be able to discuss and present data about relevant topics in
the regional business practices, as well as fundamentally understand policies, practices and performances of
South American economies.

Any type of plagiarism or copying will be sanctioned according to university regulations.

Weighting
Also there will be case developments. Grading system will be as follows for each first and second term:
Class Participation 20%
 Case development 10%
Research and presentations 10%
Homework 5%
Quizzes 5%
Mid/Final Exam 50%

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY

This course does not have a main textbook because it is important to review the most current information
from reliable sources and to learn to how to find and judge relevant sources. The readings will be adjusted by
beginning of course to update for current events and to reflect student’s interests.

1. Knippers Black, Jack “Latin America – It’s Problems and its promise”, Westview Press 2005
2. Friedman, Thomas “The World is Flat” – pdf
3. A variety of Articles

All material will be posted on blackboard.

9. FACULTY INFORMATION

NAME: María Laura Armijo

.
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS--UNDERGRAD: Ingeniera en Ciencias Empresariales, UEES

GRADUATE: MBA – IDE Business School

E – MAIL: marialaura.armijo@gmail.com

10.
Prepared by: MaríaLaura Armijo Date: October, 2009

Reviewed by: Date: