Studiegids

nl en

Regional Trends: Political Transitions in Africa

Vak
2018-2019

Tags

WP

Admissions requirements

Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies and Political Research Methods.

Description

Africa used to be known as a continent mired in armed conflict. In the 1990s the number of armed conflicts worldwide declined, while in Africa some wars persisted and new ones began. In the 2000s however, from Liberia and Sierra Leone to Burundi and Angola, civil wars came to an end. In recent years, most African states have been peaceful – in the sense of not witnessing any persistent, large-scale organised violence. How can this political change be explained? Have the conflicts at the root of the violence been resolved; if so how? What priorities were pursued by African leaders in the transitions from war, in attempts to reconcile communities and promote peace? What kinds of peace has this yielded?

In Regional Trends: Political Transitions in Africa, we study the nature of peace and how it has been forged in African transitions from large-scale violence. We examine what is meant by political change, and what kinds of such change are likely to come with violent conflicts and their termination. Week 2 introduces the political history of the area in focus, namely Sub-Saharan Africa. We further look at how transitions from violent conflict have unfolded in Africa in recent years, and what might explain different outcomes. We examine how and why violent conflicts in Africa have ended, and how core dimensions of peacebuilding have played out. In light of this we assess the regional capacities for addressing peace and security challenges, including by the African Union.

Week 1: War and political change
Week 2: Politics and conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa
Weeks 3-5: Transitions from violent conflict in post-Cold War Africa

  • Conflict settlements and conflict resolution

  • Security

  • Power sharing

  • Democratisation

  • Economic recovery

  • Statehood and state capacity
    Week 6: Research proposal workshops
    Week 7: Regional peace and security capacities.

Course objectives

Skills
By completing this course, students should be able to:

  • Design a study of particular transition(s) from violent conflict in Africa;

  • Articulate positions on questions related to peace, conflict and security in Africa and to defend those by drawing on evidence and in the face of counter-arguments.

Knowledge
By completing this course, students should be able to:

  • Explain and discuss how violent conflicts and their aftermath can be assumed to matter for political change;

  • Identify and elaborate on conflict trends and issues in Sub-Saharan Africa;

  • Gain an understanding of how conflicts are resolved and peace is built, with reference to specific societies in the Sub-Saharan African region.

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published here.

Mode of instruction

This is an interactive course, running across 14 two-hour sessions. The classroom is meant to serve as a forum for questioning ideas and images about African politics and conflict dynamics, and to explore answers in light of the course material. Students will be expected to participate by raising questions, discussing in plenary and smaller groups, taking part in roundtable debates and other classroom activities, and by reflecting on what you learn and on your learning process by writing an individual online journal. In Week 4 there will be a mid-term exam focusing on core concepts and theories, allowing students to take stock of what you have learned up to that point.

Students will also be trained in research skills, by writing a proposal for a research project that could be conducted on transition(s) from violent conflict in Africa. After a methods workshop in Week 4, the first version of this proposal will be due in Week 5. In Week 6 (and, if needed, part of Week 7), classes will consist of workshops where each student will present their proposed research and get feedback from peers and the lecturer. On this basis, a second and final version of the proposal will be due in Week 8.

Assessment

  • In-class participation: 10%,

  • Roundtable debates: 10%,

  • Journal: 10%,

  • Mid-term exam: 30%,

  • Research proposal, version 1: 15%; version 2: 25%.

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

The list of course materials will be made available upon commencement of the course.

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr Ingrid Samset
i.samset@luc.leidenuniv.nl