Admission requirements
Required course(s):
Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
Introduction to Globalisation and Transnational Politics
Description
In one sense, politics in Africa south of the Sahara is like politics anywhere. People who claim to represent larger groups articulate goals and draw on a variety of resources to pursue those goals. And yet, the way politics plays out in Africa is shaped by a specific history which has placed the continent on the interface of transregional currents. This course introduces that history from the times of slavery and colonialism until our era, to make sense of contemporary politics in Africa.
Drawing on research by scholars from Africa and elsewhere, we will examine histories of enslavement, colonialism and decolonisation, what statehood came to mean in the era of independence, and how ordinary people now get organised to have their voices heard. Through the study of electoral and contentious politics, the course provides a platform for understanding political claim-making in the region and analysing its results in a transregional perspective.
Course Objectives
By successfully completing this course, students should have obtained:
Greater proficiency in certain skills, as manifested in the ability:
To research and analyse African politics in a historical perspective,
To reflect critically on how politics is shaped in a particular world region,
To collaborate with people from various backgrounds,
To communicate well in speaking and in writing, and
Certain forms of knowledge, as manifested in the ability:
To explain how historical and transregional processes shape the opportunities and constraints faced by actors in a given region,
To discuss how histories of slavery and colonialism have impacted on African politics,
To account for protest and social movement dynamics in contemporary Africa.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2024-2025 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
The course is taught interactively. Students will be expected to participate by coming to class having read the core texts and raising questions and sharing remarks. The classroom is meant as a space for exploring the nature of politics in Africa and discussing the ways in which it has changed over time. Students will also be expected to participate by writing individual reflections.
Students will further work in groups, on one series of protests in contemporary Africa. The aim will be to understand these social movements in a historical and transregional perspective. Each team will make a video or podcast about the protests and social movement(s) in focus. Once completed, you will give a presentation about your findings in class.
The final assignment is an exam. It will test the extent to which students have gained knowledge on questions that are central to African history and politics, as taught in this course.
Assessment Method
Reflections – 35%
Group project: video – 20%
Group project: presentation – 10%
Exam – 35%
Reading list
The list of readings will be available upon the commencement of the course.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr Ingrid Samset, i.samset@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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