Course Description: This course surveys the main political issues facing contemporary African states, including poverty, instability, ethnicity, class conflicts, integration in the world economy, corruption, authoritarianism, democratization and reversion to authoritarianism, state collapse, social disengagement, structural adjustment, and relations with former colonial powers.

Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe how sub-Saharan Africa’s precolonial history influences contemporary political events,
2. Identify major colonial powers, how colonization disrupted the continent’s political history, and the lasting effects of colonization,
3. Describe Africa’s relationship with global powers today,
4. Explain post-colonial trends in democracy and development,
5. Discuss political institutions and ideas not commonly found in other world regions,
6. Understand how ethnic identities influence political outcomes such as voting and conflict,
7. Identify major challenges to economic, social, and political development and how African societies address these challenges.

Syllabus: African Politics, Fall 2025

Last Taught Fall 2025