Courses
This course analyzes the democratization of politics in African states by focusing on the relationship of civil society groups to political elites and formal political institutions. After reviewing independence movements, the course concentrates on the revival of democratic governance from the mid-nineties to the present. Students will assess if and how political parties, international donors, and indigenous civil society groups contribute to increasing accountability and good governance. Classes will include case studies and interviews with international and African actors engaged in the practical work of democratic reform in Africa.
Prerequisite(s): Students may not register for this class if they have already received credit for SA.780.740[C]
Africa’s Great Lakes region has become synonymous with conflict. Over the last fivedecades, this region has seen genocides, ethnic violence, land disputes, civil war, cross borderconflict and a multi-national war. Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the DemocraticRepublic of Congo have been affected by one or many of these destabilizing factors. Thecourse introduces students to the main issues affecting peace, stability and developmentin the Great Lakes.
Prerequisite(s): Students may not register for this class if they have already received credit for SA.780.734[C]
Making US Policy in Africa examines the interagency US policymaking process guiding the implementation of African strategic policy by focusing on concrete case studies and interviews with guest speakers from key agencies. It begins with an overview summarizing the evolution of American policy process as it applies to Africa. Subsequent classes assess the strategies, tools, and tactics deployed by agencies to achieve policy objectives in the areas of security, humanitarian crises response, and economic development. By studying case studies and interacting with guest speakers, students gain practical insights into how government institutions formulate and implement US policy in Africa. Institutions include the Departments of State, Defense, and Energy; USAID; Office of the US Trade Representative; and Congress. Evaluation of student performance is based on class participation, formal presentations, and three short professional policy memos analyzing US African policy.
Prerequisite(s): Students may not register for this class if they have already received credit for SA.780.735[C]
This course considers the origins and nature of political activities as well as some of the major themes, issues, and theories in the study of sub-Saharan Africa since independence. We will discuss broad trends and issues across the continent. At the same time, we will be attuned to the diversity of political, social, and economic life in Africa. The course analyzes the central themes and processes in African politics, including clientelism, ethnicity, authoritarianism and democracy. It also examines the challenges that specific African countries face in a number of important domains, including democracy and democratic backsliding, ethnic politics, economic development, civil war and post-conflict reconstruction, corruption and governance, and Africa’s place in the international system.
The course’s primary objective is problematizing and understanding the notion of ‘African Development’. In doing so, the course will examine knowledge frameworks that are defining the processes of Africa’s historical, economic, political, and socio-cultural changes. The course aims to equip students with a critical understanding of the notions of development in the African context by juxtaposing selected decolonial and mainstream perspectives. The course will cover vital issues in African development, such as the role of the African state; continental development frameworks (AAF-SAP, NEPAD, Agenda 2063, AfCFTA); politics, governance & democracy; as well as social and public policy issues in agriculture & rural development; education; digital development (digitalization); and knowledge production.
The aim of this course is to help students understand Africa and how the continent engages the rest of the world in international relations. The course will examine the assumptions that have informed positive and negative outlooks on the continent. Some of the questions that the course will investigate include the following: What are the hosts of issues propelling Africa’s international relations? Can African states fully engage the rest of the world in the absence of good governance? Who benefits from Africa’s international relations? There are no easy answers when it comes to Africa. There are 54 states with significant differences in their political and economic characteristics and trajectories. While we will not be able to examine each state individually, we will examine how these states interact with one another and with the broader world.
Examines the political context of Africa’s post-colonial development. Considers the historical evolution of African economies from the colonial era, and the structural and institutional features of economic development since independence. Reviews the evolution of economic policy and the nature of political regimes. Considers the incentives of political and economic elites and popular constituencies. Examines the genesis of economic crisis and attempted reform.
This interdisciplinary course delves into the political economy of Africa from colonial times to the 21st century. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from political sciences, economics, sociology, and history to probe contemporary development issues in Africa.The scope of the course ranges from post-independence challenges to contemporary factors influencing governance, institutions, conflict, and the trajectory of Africa's development. Theoretical and policy analysis tools are employed to study political and socio-economic dynamics in contemporary Africa. Key areas of investigation include the underlying reasons for underdevelopment and conflict in many African countries; the role of global powers in Africa; and the effects of current democratization and growth patterns on the continent.