Summer Timetable

POL301Y1Y L0101

Government and Politics in Africa

Themes

The course introduces students to the political dynamics of contemporary Africa from independence to the present. It will explore two related dimensions of African politics: first, the process of state formation and nation building from wider theoretical perspectives and second, the origins and nature of the continent’s socio-economic crises and challenges. The course will trace, in national and global contexts, the historical development of the modern state system and governance on the continent and the rise and decline of modern African economies and how the continent passed from the periods of high hopes to despair. Then, it moves on to examine particular themes that characterize the nature of African politics and some important challenges including, but not limited to, democratic transition, ethnic/civil conflicts, foreign relations, contagious diseases, food insecurity and gender issues in contemporary Africa.

Texts

Course reader including key scholarly publications and required works on government and politics in Africa.

Format and Requirements

A quiz, an essay and two tests.

Prerequisites

1.0 POL credit