POSC351L - African Politics

3 Credit(s)

Liberal Arts
This course provides an overview and critical analysis of the diversity of politics among the one billion people living in the more than 50 states of sub-Saharan Africa, tackling problems crucial to the future of Africa and the world. Topics include the diverse sources of political identity on the continent (e.g., ethnicity, religion, gender); the legacies of colonialism, independence, and liberation movements; the nature and powers of African states; the expansion of multiparty elections and democracy; civil wars and ethnic conflicts; economic development; and the causes, effects, and policy responses to health issues including the HIV epidemic. The course will provide students both with concrete knowledge of African politics and with tools for thinking about analytic ideas in political science.

Prerequisite(s): One 200-level class from any subfield