Introduction to African Politics: Theory and Practice 14-XINAF

This course aims to tackle African politics, by approaching it form six different angles. The course starts with some insights on the African state, its legitimacy, stability, challenges and other features. The next topic digs into African history, as it detangles the different colonial systems, their organizational structure and legacy. Further we look at even older organizational social phenomena like African chieftains and kings and their transformation and position in today’s society. The next topic differentiates between African countries on basis of regime type: How do different Authoritarian (Military, Monarchic, Limited pluralistic and other hybrid forms react to the challenges and opportunities put in front of them? What political organization can one find in countries without central government (Failed states, Chaocracies, etc.)? How do these regimes act vis-à-vis democratization? Further the course takes a closer look on development, hunger, humanitarian aid in light of the sovereignty of the African state. The last lecture focuses on the ethnic aspects in African conflicts before, during and after independence.

• To get a better understanding of political theories
• To learn to select theories and choose a methodology
• To apply political theories to countries in Africa
• To understand cultural and social differences in Africa in regard to political theory
• To be able to independently do research on African countries

Cele kształcenia

Have acquired and deepened his/her knowledge of political theories Know general aspects of the history of Africa Know general aspects of social and cultural differences of African society Will know how to find sources and data on Africa Be able to select theories to specific cases Be able to apply political theory to African cases Be able to work in group and write in-depth case-studies Will possess specific knowledge about 3-4 African countries

Informacja o tym, gdzie można zapoznać się z materiałami do zajęć

All materials are on the B-Learning platform.

Metody prowadzenia zajęć umożliwiające osiągnięcie założonych EK

Lectures Supervised group works

Moduł zajęć/przedmiotu prowadzony zdalnie (e-learning)

Six classes are taught through B-learning. The topics are: Group work – The African state Group work – Legacies of colonialism Group work – African civil society Group work – African political regimes Group work – Development aid Group work – African conflicts

Nakład pracy studenta (punkty ECTS)

Wymagania wstępne w zakresie wiedzy, umiejętności oraz kompetencji

A basic knowledge of political theories Interest for African countries Willingness and social skills to work in group Engllish at level B2.

Koordynatorzy przedmiotu

Jeroen Van den Bosch

Efekty kształcenia

Defining and understanding the African State and its aspects in comparative perspective
Understanding the colonial legacy in Africa
Understanding the influence of pre-colonial forms of social organization in Africa
Differentiating and defining political regimes in Africa
Understanding the impact of poverty and humanitarian aid on African societies and development programs
Understanding ethnic conflict in an African context
Learn to write case-studies to apply theory to specific dimensions of African politics

Kryteria oceniania

No exam. Students are graded on their activeness in class (attendance and permanent evaluation, 50%). Students hand in the first two group works after 10 weeks of class and the rest at end of the semester for evaluation (in total 50%). Students are graded on the amount they contributed to the group work, the sources they use, the level of insight and understanding they show and on how well they formulate answers to the questions posed in the group works.

Literatura

Supportive literature will be provided by the teacher on the B-learning platform

Więcej informacji

Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb:

Strona przedmiotu 14-XINAF w USOSweb