Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies.
Limited places are also open for exchange students. Please note: this course takes place in The Hague.
Description
The course Politics Africa will provide a general introduction to politics in Africa, eleborating on key themes and approaches for the study of politics in Africa, and drawing on case material for further in-depth analysis. Themes that will be discussed are i.a. State and Society, Legitimacy, Democracy and Democratization, Religion and Politics, Infrapolitics, Development and Conflict.
Throughout the course, emphasis will be the interaction between local ideas and political culture and international (Western) normativity, thereby questioning persisting assumptions of African politics. The course will offer an understanding of politics in Africa from a local perspective, rather than in terms of how politics practices and processes in Africa correspond to international norms.
Course objectives
The course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of current political dynamics in Africa, as well as the academic and policy debates that correspond with such dynamics. The course aims to inspire students to create independent interpretations of African politics, moving beyond mainstream approaches as well as to reconsider assumptions associated with African politics. Students should emerge from the course with a broad understanding of political processes in Africa, as well as with a specific understanding of how the domain of African politics can be studied. Students will also develop relevant generic skills such as presentation, debating and essay writing.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
Lecture and tutorials
Attending lectures and tutorials is compulsory. If you are not able to attend a lecture or tutorial, please inform the tutor of the course. Being absent without notification can result in a lower grade or exclusion from the final exam or essay.
Course Load
Total course load for the course 5 EC x 28 hours is 140 hours, broken down by
12 lectures: 24 hours
4 tutorials: 8 hours
Reading & self-study: 72 hours
Research & paper writing: 36 hours
Assessment method
Tutorials 30%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 40%
If the final grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), there is the possibility of retaking the full 70% of the exam material, replacing both the earlier mid- and endterm grades. No resit for the tutorials is possible.
To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following:
the final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used. For tutorial groups: please enroll in blackboard after your enrolment in uSis
Students are requested to register on Blackboard for this course.
Reading list
- Pierre Englebert and Kevin C Dunn. 2012. Inside African Politics. Boulder: Lynne Rienner
Patrick Chabal. 2009. Africa : the politics of suffering and smiling. London: Zed
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Dr. M.J. De Goede, email m.j.de.goede@hum.leidenuniv.nl