Comparative political issues and themes in Africa; colonialism and colonial legacy, political institutions, political systems, and political culture; transition to and consolidation of democracy.
Athena Title
African Politics
Prerequisite
INTL 3200 or INTL 3200E or INTL 3300 or permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
1. By the end of the course students will be able to synthesize details about the concepts in international affairs (e.g., the international system, actors in the international system, the principles of sovereignty and anarchy, etc.).
2. By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate how the characteristics of various political systems lead to different political outcomes.
3. By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate the major theoretical approaches and models used within international relations and comparative politics.
4. By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate theoretical foundations in the study of international relations and comparative politics when applying them to attempt to explain the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events.
5. By the end of the course students will be able to collect and analyze original quality data relative to the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events.
6. By the end of the course students will be able to create original, well informed arguments about the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events that is theoretically informed and includes quality data.
7. By the end of the course students will be able to write in a clear structured manner that provides an original theoretically-informed argument presented to an intended audience that is supported with data and uses appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
8. By the end of the course students will be able to create an original social science research project.
Topical Outline
Colonialism and colonial legacy
Political institutions (such as political parties, the military, and the state bureaucracy)
Africa's traditional political culture and post-independent politics
Political leadership and its impact on African development
Democratic transition and consolidation in Africa in the post-cold war era
