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HU Credits:
4
Degree/Cycle:
1st degree (Bachelor)
Responsible Department:
Spanish & Lat. Amer. Studies
Semester:
Yearly
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Mauricio Dimant, Dra. Susana Pesis
Coordinator Office Hours:
By appointment
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Mauricio Dimant
Course/Module description:
Latin America is the world’s leading producer of food and the third-largest producer of energy, while Israel has recently become a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship, particularly in environmental innovation. These strengths offer a unique opportunity for collaboration. However, there is a paradox: despite the suitability of many Israeli technologies for Latin American economies, only a few have been widely adopted. This course examines this paradox, offering students a practical and insightful look into the contemporary history and challenges of Latin America. By exploring Israel’s free trade agreements with countries like Mexico, the MERCOSUR nations (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay), Colombia, Panama, and Guatemala, the course will provide students with a global approach and understanding of Latin America's contemporary history.
This program offers students practical experience in Latin American Studies while exploring global trends in the region's contemporary history. It combines theoretical insights—focusing on political and social dynamics in contemporary Latin America—with hands-on experience in Israeli tech startups. Throughout the course, students will interact regularly with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers to analyze the historical context of current trends and challenges in Latin America. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in social-business activities centered on Israel-Latin America relations, with optional study trips to Latin America.
The course will host regular discussions with businessmen, entrepreneurs, officials and other active decision makers in the Latin American market to discuss various aspects of trends in the region.
Students in the course will learn how to write a business project and an analytical essay for decision makers, which they will present in a discussion forum as part of the final grade. During the course, students will be able to participate in various social activities with focus on Israel-Latin America relations. As part of the course, study trips in Latin America are planned for the students (optional).
Course/Module aims:
- Develop research capacity in contemporary Latin American studies.
- Provide practical experience in the hi-tech sector, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to the dynamics of the global labor market.
- Equip students with strategic tools for thinking and active participation in international projects focused on Latin America.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Analyze contemporary political, social, and economic historical processes in Latin America from a global perspective.
- Investigate the structural and contextual aspects of the Latin American ecosystem.
- Differentiate between the various perspectives toward Israel across Latin America.
- Develop a research-based project that integrates an analysis of key contemporary processes in the region.
- Formulate strategic recommendations for both private and policy initiatives in Latin America.
Attendance requirements(%):
100
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
- 120 hours of internship in Israeli hi-tech firms.
- Classroom discussions.
- Skills workshops related to the labor market.
- Meetings and guest lectures with experts.
Course/Module Content:
The course is divided into four key stages:
1. Introduction to Contemporary Socio-Political Challenges in Latin America:
This stage focuses on in-class discussions to explore socio-political challenges in the region’s contemporary history, particularly their connection to environmental issues. Students will define the startups they will collaborate with for project development.
2. Introduction to Working with Latin America from Israel:
Discussions in this stage will focus on the dynamics of working with Latin America from an Israeli perspective, and students will begin their research assignments for the startups.
3. Project Development in Latin America:
Discussions in this stage aim to deepen the students' project work with the startups in Latin America. Students will start developing their projects in collaboration with the startups, receiving guidance from mentors both in Latin America and Israel.
4. Presentation of Analysis and Recommendations:
In this final stage, students will present their analyses and strategic recommendations to the startups regarding their operations in the Latin American market.
Required Reading:
All the reading materials for the course are available at the Moodle site of the course
Additional Reading Material:
All the reading materials for the course are available at the Moodle site of the course
Grading Scheme :
Written / Oral / Practical Exam / Home Exam 10 %
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Referat 20 %
Active Participation / Team Assignment 10 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 10 %
Mid-terms exams 20 %
Clinical Work / Lab Work / Practical Work / Workshops 20 %
Attendance / Participation in Field Excursion 10 %
Additional information:
Dr. Susana Pesis and Dr. Mauricio Dimant, in collaboration with universities and research centers in Latin America. Partnerships with tech companies and organizations, including startups, incubators, and accelerators, will facilitate internships and workshops.
This course is supported by Tranpoline Network.
Trip to Latin America at the end of the course
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