Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
This course focuses on the study of crisis and human security on the African continent. Pushing back against Eurocentric framings of security issues and security studies, it approaches global problems from African and Africanist perspectives to simultaneously broaden and deepen our understanding of the structures of power that shape our contemporary world. Doing so not only sheds light on important current events and specific crises or security issues on the African continent itself, but also helps us reflect and (re)conceptualise the analytical tools at our disposal for understanding these. The course is composed of guest lectures from members of the Africa Research on Crisis and Human security group (ARCH), which brings together scholars with a focus on Africa working across ISGA, Leiden University College and the African Studies Centre (ASCL). Drawing on in-depth and long-term fieldwork experience on the continent as well as academic literature, we will discuss topics such as climate change, conflict, disasters, displacement and structural inequalities that profoundly shape how crises and human security play out and become understood.
Course Objectives
After following this course, students will be able to:
Place cliches about Africa in context, having enjoyed a thorough introduction to an often-misunderstood continent;
Describe and understand key topics in the study of crisis and human security from non-Western perspectives;
Analyse crisis and human security issues conceptually;
Engage with current crisis events and report on these with academic rigour;
Appreciate and actively engage in interdisciplinary conversations around sensitive topics;
Understand how power relations impact on knowledge production.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
This course consists of seven interactive sessions, including four guest lectures. In the lectures, students will be acquainted with key concepts and theories based on academic literature, while the guest lectures will present interesting case studies to discuss and engage with.
Attendance is mandatory. Students are only allowed to miss more than one lecture if there are special, demonstrable personal circumstances. The Board of Examiners, in consultation with the study advisors, will decide on such an exceptional exemption of mandatory attendance.
Total study load 140 hours:
21 Contact hours.
119 Self-study hours: reading, preparing lectures, assignments, etc
Assessment method
Assessment for this course is based on two assignments:
Group assignment
30% of final grade
Grade can be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Resit not possible
Individual Assignment
70% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5.5 is required to pass the course
Resit is possible
Resit takes the same form
The calculated overall course grade must be at least 5.50 in order to pass the course. If the calculated overall course grade is lower than 5.50, students are also permitted to resit the 70% assignment.
Reading list
A selection of books and articles, to be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Please note, registration for block 4 electives will be organised by the OSC in a different way from the regular course registration for semester 2. More information about this will follow in the beginning of semester 2.
Please note: Registration for the resit of an exam (and exam) is mandatory, this has to be done by the student and can be done from Monday 4 May 2026 until 10 days before the exam. Until 5 days before the exam you can email OSC and fill in a form.
Contact
dr. Tanja Hendriks t.d.hendriks@fgga.leidenuniv.nl