Prospectus

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African Dynamics

African Studies Centre Leiden

**N.B. This is a selection minor! Applications close 16 April 2023. See Target Group for more information **

Leiden-Delft-Rotterdam (LDE) Minor African Dynamics, 2023-2024

While globalisation has been part of the academic discourse for a long time, current debates on climate change, migration streams, resource scarcity and security, etc. highlights the complexities involved to create a ‘World We Want’. It has become untenable to consider one area of the globe less important or more marginal than another, and in this light Africa is an extremely important continent with extraordinary challenges and tremendous opportunities.

Home to more than 1.4 billion people, the world’s second-largest continent with 54 sovereign states is exceptionally diverse in terms of population, equity, growth, natural environment and resources. Projections indicate that the African population will double in the next 30 years with more than half of the people living in urbanised environments. Sixty-five percent of the population is below the age of 35, which is the largest concentration of young people in the world. The growing demand for food, water, energy, land, infrastructure, health services, education, jobs, etc. can be powerful drivers of growth, but also present severe social, economic and environmental threats.

In this unique collaboration between Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam and building on the goals set in the African Union Agenda 2063 the United Nations Agenda 2030, this multidisciplinary minor fosters a deeper understanding of integrated and sustainable approaches in Africa. Separate modules offered by leading Africanists, depict the continent from different perspectives and expose students to expertise in diverse fields with an emphasis on how Africans themselves view their continent and the world.

Students from separate disciplines combine their knowledge in exploring the challenges and opportunities that the continent presents. During seminars, discussions, debates, group work, as well as virtual exchanges, innovative education and collaborative learning strategies encourage independent learning and the co-creation of knowledge.

The minor requires full time commitment, is presented in English and serves as a pre-master for the masters in African Studies at Leiden University.

Apply for this minor via EduXchange and submit the Background and Commitment Form

Maximum number of students: 40

Prospectus number: 5000MAFDYN

Language: English

Courses

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Reading Africa 5
Exploring Africa 10
Collaboration Africa 15

Target Group

If you are concerned about issues impacting on Africa, want to know more about emerging opportunities and sustainable approaches, interested in the continent’s rich socio-cultural traditions and diversity, and/or considering to pursue a career in Africa, this minor will provide you with a solid multidisciplinary foundation. You will be discovering African realities and dynamics together with students from different study and disciplinary backgrounds, and collaborate with students from African universities.

Whether you are completing a bachelor study at the universities of Leiden, Delft or Erasmus* in Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, History, International Relations and Global Affairs, Languages, Law, Management, Medicine and Health, Natural Sciences, or Social Studies and Behavioural Sciences, you could be an ideal candidate for this minor. Students from other disciplines are also encouraged to apply.

  • In general, EUR students can only take part in the first quarter (15 ECs) of the minor. It is however possible to complete the whole minor (30 ECs) under certain conditions. Please discuss this with your study coordinator.

Take note:
To strengthen the multidisciplinary collaboration, a diversity of disciplinary interests and backgrounds is essential and we also strive for an equal representation of the three partnering universities*. Therefore this minor resorts as a selection minor and applications have to be submitted via EduXchange between 3 and 16 April 2023 together with a Background and Commitment Form.
Incomplete or applications received after 16 April will not be taken into consideration!

Successful candidates will be informed by 1 May 2023. Address any further enquiries to the minor coordinator: Madi Ditmars

More info

  • Extent: 30 ECs spread over 1 semester. EUR students may discontinue after completing 15 ECs

  • Intended for: third year students of the LDE universities from all disciplines

  • Language of instruction: English

  • Coordinator: Madi Ditmars

  • Information: See the following websites*

African Studies Centre Leiden

Delft University of Technology

Erasmus University Rotterdam

LDE Alliance

**Although the minor description is synchronised between the LEI, TUD and EUR prospectuses it may take some time. For all purposes the description in this Leiden e-prospectus is leading.