Course Description
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
COM POL SUB SAH AFR
Prerequisite
INTL 6300 or permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The goal of this course is to introduce and analyze post- independence changes in Sub-Saharan Africa, a very fragmented and diverse sub-continent, consisting of 48 independent states. African political systems will encourage students to stress both thematic and methodological approaches to the study of politics in several African countries. The course provides intensive case studies of selected countries exemplifying different realities that either led to relative development and stability or crises, violence and retardation in different countries in the region. Study of Sub Saharan African politics is intertwined with international priorities, state structure and institutions along with social, cultural, environmental and ecological realities particular to each country.
Topical Outline
1. Colonialism, neo-colonialism and colonial legacy; 2. Postcolonial political regimes (dictatorial, military, democratic, etc.) 3. Ethnicity and citizenship 4. Clash of traditional political culture and postcolonial politics democracy, democratization and governance 5. Economic development, dependency, aid and structural adjustment programs 6. Root causes of conflicts and conflict resolution at the local, regional and international levels. 7. Case studies will be introduced with particular reference to the regions of the continent e.g., Southern Africa, Great Lakes, East and West Africa.