African Politics in Regional and Global Perspective

Description

This course critically introduces students to the politics of Africa, with a focus on the regional, continental, and global levels of analysis. We will survey the historical context of African statehood and questions of institutional design, politics, and challenges of different regional organizations, with a focus on the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, and the Economic Community of West African States, while not forgetting other, less well-known organizations and contemporary trends in African regional politics, such as ad-hoc coalitions, informal groups, and bilateral cooperation. Throughout the course, the global dimension of these institutional forms is discussed, focusing particularly on Africa’s contentious partnership with the European Union and various European states with former colonial ties to Africa, the role of so-called non-Western actors, as well as the United Nations. We will focus on a number of issues including governance, human rights, security, trade, and diplomacy writ large. The course will proceed through an analysis of a series of current challenges including the resurgence of coups, cross-border terrorism, and geopolitical tensions. In parallel to academic writing, the course also lays a focus on writing for a policy audience. Objectives: By the end of this course, students will Develop skills to understand and analyze regional politics and organizations in Africa by gaining a deep understanding of the institutional frameworks, political dynamics, and challenges facing major and lesser-known political actors in Africa. Be able to critically apply theories of regional cooperation, integration, and governance to the object of study, and know how these theories can be applied to understand variations across different policy areas and current challenges in various regions of Africa. Develop skills for academic and policy writing by effectively articulating complex political, security, and economic issues relevant to African regional politics.