PS 421 POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE OF Africa
PROFESSOR BROWN FOSTER
Chazan et al. POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA
Tordoff, W. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN AFRICA
Joseph, R. STATE, CONFLICT, AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA
Annual Editions AFRICA
PS 421 POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE OF Africa
PROFESSOR BROWN FOSTER
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| This course is a survey of the 20th century political institutional, ideological, economic, social, and cultural factors affecting the politics and governance of African nation-states. The course focuses on the key issues and events that are crucial to understanding the development of the modern contemporary African politics and governance. A range of issues, are covered in lecture and the reading. Some of these are: Africa in the International System; the historical roots of political institutions, coalitions, and domestic political tensions; national economics of the African nations; political instability, reform movements and revolutions; conflict management; the impact of migration and urbanization; changing regional ethnic identities; structural adjustment, democratization, liberal market reforms, and difficulties in maintaining national sovereignty and institutional stability. |
| BOOKS:
Chazan et al. POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA Tordoff, W. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN AFRICA Joseph, R. STATE, CONFLICT, AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA Annual Editions AFRICA |
| COURSE REQUIREMENTS: THERE WILL BE A TAKE HOME MID-TERM EXAM (30%), RESEARCH PAPER WITH ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY (30%), BOOK REVIEW (25%) AND SHORT IN-CLASS EXERCISE (15%). |
| READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS: |
| WEEK ONE | INTRODUCTION
Chazan, chapters 1, 5 Tordoff, chapter 1 R. Joseph, chapter 1 |
| WEEK TWO |
COLONIAL LEGACY Tordoff, CHS. 2 |
| WEEK THREE |
NATIONAL/GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT Chazan, CH. 2, 5 |
| WEEK FOUR |
STATE and SOCIETY CHAZAN, CH. 3 Tordoff, CH. 4 |
| WEEK FIVE |
POLITICS Chazan, CH. 6-8 |
| WEEK SIX: TAKE HOME MIDTERM GIVEN ON THURSDAY |
ETHNICITY R. Joseph, CHS. 13, 14, 16-19 Chazan, CH. 3-4 |
| WEEK SEVENMIDTERM DUE |
THE MILITARY, REVOLUTIONS AND REVOLUTIONARIES Tordoff, chs. 7-8 |
| WEEK EIGHT |
DEMOCRATIZATION Chazan, CH. 8 R. Joseph, CHS. 2-4, 10, 12, 15 |
| WEEK NINE |
MARKET LIBERALIZATION/POLITICAL ECONOMY Chazan, CHS. 9-10 |
| WEEK TEN |
CASE STUDIES: PRESENTATIONS Each of you will choose a nation that will be the focus of discussion for the week. An outline for the preparation of the presentation and some questions to cover will be distributed. |
| WEEK ELEVEN | PRESENTATION(S) |
| WEEK TWELVE | PRESENTATION(S) |
| WEEK THIRTEEN: BOOK REVIEW DUE |
REGIONALIZATION/CONTINENTAL UNITY Tordoff, CH. 9 Chazan, CH. 11 |
| WEEK FOURTEEN |
Africa and the International System Chazan, CH. 12 R. Joseph, CH. 6 |
| WEEK FIFTEEN: RESEARCH PAPER
BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE |
WRAP-UP AND REVIEW |