2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2455 State and Politics in Africa

20 creditsClass Size: 78

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Most African colonies became independent in the 1950s and 1960s amid hopes that this would be the prelude to an era of democracy and development. By the end of the 1980s, the continent was characterised by instability, authoritarianism, poverty, war and famine. In a small number of countries, the state itself had begun to disintegrate. Why did this happen and what are the prospects of redeeming the original aspirations on which independent Africa was founded? What are the prospects for democratic reform? This course is for students who are interested in understanding the nature of sub-Saharan Africa's politics and the problems which Africa faces in trying to develop stable, democratic government. For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email C.Wise@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have an understanding of the nature of the post-colonial state in sub-Saharan Africa and the factors which differentiate it from other kinds of state; the nature of African nationalism and nationalist party politics in sub-Saharan Africa; the problems inherent in attempts to create stable democratic political systems in Africa and the forms of state which have resulted ; the politics of crisis which have bedeviled and undermined these efforts; why some states have collapsed into civil war and 'warlordism' in the 1990s while others have attempted to implement democratic reforms. The course also seeks to introduce students to; a variety of concepts and issues concerning the nature of nationalism, race, ethnicity, patrimonialism and class which have a wider applicability than this course. As well as encouraging the development of analytic skills through seminar discussions, the preparation of handouts for classes and the presentation of work to seminar groups.

Syllabus

Most African colonies became independent in the 1950s and 1960s amid hopes that this would be the prelude to an era of democracy and development. By the end of the 1980s, the continent was characterised by instability, authoritarianism, poverty, war and famine. In a small number of countries, the state itself had begun to disintegrate. Why did this happen and what are the prospects of redeeming the original aspirations on which independent Africa was founded? This course is for students who are interested in understanding the nature of sub-Saharan Africa?s politics and the problems which Africa faces in trying to develop stable, democratic government.

Course topics:
Introduction: political crisis and democratic renewal in Africa;
The legacy of the colonial state;
African nationalism;
The post-colonial state and the politics of 'neo-colonialism';
From pluralism to ?bureaucratic centralism? - the rise of the one-party state;
The military option;
The failure of revolutionary alternatives;
Debt crisis, spoils politics and the decline of sovereignty;
From crisis to collapse: the disintegration of the post-colonial state;
From crisis to reform: the return to pluralism;
Conclusion: African catastrophe? African renaissance?

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

179 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 x seminar presentation; 1 x 2-page essay plan

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: 03/04/2009

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