2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3261 Violence and Reconciliation in Africa

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Alex Beresford
Email: A.Beresford@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

To have successfully completed levels 1 and 2

Module replaces

PIED3260 Violence and Reconciliation in Eastern Africa

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will examine the causes, nature and consequences of violence in Africa. The module will explore issues surrounding race, class, ethnicity, gender, religion and resources in contemporary African conflicts. Students will develop a conceptual awareness of African statehood, ‘warlord politics’, resource wars and state collapse. The module will evaluate the efficacy of current approaches to peace building and reconciliation in Africa and the debates and controversies surrounding international intervention and peacekeeping.

Objectives

This module offers historical, theoretical and empirical perspectives on the causes and nature of violence and conflict in contemporary Africa. Drawing upon a variety of case studies, the module will examine different forms of violence across Africa and the efficacy of current approaches to peace building and reconciliation, including the debates and controversies surrounding foreign intervention and peacekeeping.

Learning outcomes
- Ability to identify and analyse the different forms that violence takes in Africa in a range of case studies
- Knowledge of the impact of colonialism on African states and societies.
- Knowledge of the postcolonial state in Africa, including the dynamics of neopatrimonial rule, ‘warlord politics’ and state collapse.
- Awareness of debates and controversies surrounding race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion and generational change and how these relate to our understandings of violence in contemporary Africa
- Knowledge of the ‘resource curse’ debates and the role of resources in the cause and perpetuation of African conflicts
- Awareness of the debates and controversies surrounding the efficacy of current approaches to peace building and reconciliation in Africa

Syllabus

The module will explore different types of violence in Africa, including political violence, genocide and resource wars. In particular, the module will explore the relationship between violence and issues relating to race, class, ethnicity, gender, religion, African statehood and mineral resources. A wide range of case studies will be examined and the module will cover core analytical debates relating to African statehood, sovereignty, resource wars and the efficacy of current approaches to peace building and reconciliation in Africa.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent study will be facilitated by library resources and an innovative blended learning strategy (see below). The VLE will host resources for each week including digitised readings, documentary videos and, where appropriate, short introductory lectures using ‘Articulate Presenter’ software. Students will be required to conduct independent research into particular case studies in preparation for seminars, presentations, essays and exams.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored by means of:
- Student contributions to class discussion, which will be monitored throughout the course, though not assessed.
- Students will be encouraged to complete a plan of their essay and to visit the lecturer during his/her office hours which will provide an opportunity to give detailed formative feedback on student progress.
- Opportunities for individual discussions outside seminar times, including access to VLE discussion forums and social networking page ‘Leeds University African Politics’

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 word essay	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/12/2016

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