AFR 256
Politics of Africa Spring 2015
Division II
Cross-listed PSCI 243
This is not the current course catalog

Class Details

This course provides a broad introduction to the politics of contemporary Africa, emphasizing along the way the diversity of African politics. It seeks to challenge the widespread image of African politics as universally and inexplicably lawless, violent, and anarchic.This course begins by examining the colonization of Africa, nationalist movements, and patterns of rule in the first 30 years of independence. From there, the course analyzes the causes, achievements and limitations of the recent waves of political and economic liberalization across Africa. With an understanding of politics in African countries, we consider how this shapes patterns of economic development. Finally, the course examines China’s growing expansion into Africa. We ask whether this is neocolonialism, or a beneficial relationship for African countries.
The Class: Format: lecture/discussion
Limit: 35
Expected: 30
Class#: 3636
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: class discussion, four short papers and final exam
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: sophomores, Political Science majors and Africana Studies concentrators
Distributions: Division II
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
PSCI 243 Division II AFR 256 Division II
Attributes: INST African Studies Electives
POEC Comparative POEC/Public Policy Courses
PSCI Comparative Politics Courses

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