POL 325 African Politics
The purpose of this course is to explore the themes, issues, and trends that shape politics in Africa. The course attempts to answer some important questions about African politics, such as: Why has democracy been consolidated in certain African countries but regressed or collapsed in others? What accounts for the failures and successes of African countries to achieve adequate economic development? To what extent have international forces influenced the directions of African politics and society? We will also examine some of the dimensions of social change and political reform in post-independence Africa, including factors such as nationalism, ideology, identity politics, the features of African states, the issues of political order, democratization, development, international relations, and the roles of non-governmental institutions and civil society. As we explore these topics, we will strive for a critical and comparative perspective while avoiding extreme positions of Afro-pessimism and Afro-optimism. Significant focus is given to countries in East Africa.
4 Undergraduate credits
Effective December 12, 2022 to present
Meets graduation requirements for
Learning outcomes
General
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts, thematic issues, and debates within the discourse on African politics.
- Critically evaluate the development of modern governance structures, politics, and socio-economic development policies in Africa, in the context of the impacts of enslavement, colonialism, and the Cold War.
- Compare, contrast, and critically examine the political development of African states, their governance structures, and contemporary challenges to democratic governance and sustainable development.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
- Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
- Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
- Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
Goal 8: Global Perspective
- Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.
- Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.
- Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.