Prospectus

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The EU and Africa

Course
2021-2022

Admission requirements

n.a.

Description

Migration, Economic Partnership Agreements, military intervention; relations between Africa and the European Union are making the headlines. In this course we will examine these relations and analyse the interaction from both African and European perspectives. We will cover a range of policy areas to see how this entanglement plays out in relation to topics such as (geo)politics, economics, migration and culture.
Since African colonies were part of European integration from the start, we will draw on contemporary as well as historical perspectives to understand relations between the EU and Africa.
While the title of the course suggests a continent-wide approach, and while there are commonalities between the countries and regions within Africa and within Europe, significant differences exist as well. These differences can be present on many levels. We will therefore not just focus on a continental, or an institutional approach (European Union, African Union etc.), but use a number of different units of analysis and for example examining relations between Africa and Europe on more individual levels as well.
Course materials include academic texts, contemporary pamphlets, blogs, videos, podcasts and exhibitions.

Course objectives

After completing this course you will:

  • have acquired knowledge about and insights in:

    • The relationship between the EU and Africa from a number of angles,
    • The question of positionality when conducting research or enaging in public debate.
  • be familiar with approaches from international relations/European Union Studies and political, economic, cultural and migration history.

  • be able to set up an academic research project and write about it for a number of different types of outlets.

  • have acquired some familiarity with using different forms of representation (written/visual/audio).

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminars (group work, discussions and presentations)

Assessment method

To complete the final mark, please take notice of the following:
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the assessment parts.
If the final grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), there is the possibility of retaking the final research paper. Contact the course lecturer for more information.

Assessment

  • Active participation: 25%

  • Assignment/oral presentation: 25%

  • Final research paper: 50%

Attendance

Attendance is compulsory for all meetings (lectures, seminars, excursion). If you are unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control, notify the lecturer in advance, providing a valid reason for your absence, and hand in your weekly assignment in writing to the lecturer (if applicable). Being absent without notification and valid reason may result in lower grades or exclusion from the course.

Resit

If the final grade is insufficient (lower than a 6), there is the possibility of retaking the final research paper. Contact the course lecturer for more information.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

The syllabus will be available on Brightspace before the start of the course.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the information bar on the right.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga

Remarks

Not applicable.