Module Code - Title:

PO4008 - AFRICAN POLITICS: DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRACY

Year Last Offered:

2023/4

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module will supply an introduction to major political trends in contemporary Africa. Against a brief historical review of African state institutions since the advent of colonialism the course will explore successive efforts to modernise predominantly peasant economies, using Tanzanian experience as a case study. The factors that many critics believe have helped to contribute to the persistence and accentuation of African poverty will be assessed: these include poor macro economic management, weak institutions, and disadvantageous patterns of historically entrenched primary commodity production

Syllabus:

Modern African State Formation: regional contrasts æDevelopmentÆ from the 1930s (with a Tanzanian case study) African poverty: æthe bottom billionÆ Urbanisation and urban politics: Lagos Structural adjustment and market reform (Zambian case study0 Democratisation in the 1990s (Ghanaian case study0 Democratisation in the 1990s (South Africa) The developmental consequences of democratisation War and peace in Africa: Sierra Leone æThe politics of the bellyÆ: the patrimonial politics in Central Africa New social movements

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Identify major political trends in contemporary Africa. Analyse efforts to modernise peasant societies. Appraise theries that explain African poverty

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Challenge orthodox explanations for African development Relate theory to patterns of change in African politics Question and debate the applicability of values and models derived from settings outside Africa

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

Demonstrate communication skills in a classroom setting

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module will be taught through lectures and tutorials. Lectures will supply essential information, interpretuve argument and guidance for independent reading and research. Tutorials will extend student understanding of the issues addressed in lectures through debate, discussion, reole playing and different kinds of student presentation. Assessment will be through tutorial esercises, a major paper and a final exam.