Fall/Winter Timetable

POL301Y1Y L5101

Government and Politics in Africa

Themes

Introduces students to the political dynamics of contemporary Africa. The course will explore two related sets of issues: first, state formation and nation building and second, the origins and nature of the continent’s economic crisis. The course will trace the historical development of the modern state system on the continent and the rise of contemporary African economies before moving on to consider particular themes that characterize the nature of politics in African states.

Texts

Will include: Mahmood Mamdani, Citizens and Subject; Michael Bratton and Nicholas van de Walle, Democratic Experiments in Africa; Jeffrey Herbst States and Power in Africa.

Format and Requirements

Course evaluation will include an in-class test, written work and a final exam.

Prerequisites

1.0 POL credit