Course Description
Over the last two decades, African countries have undergone changes that have been as profound as those that have affected countries in Central and Eastern Europe. This course will explore a series of transitions - from war to peace, from one party to multi party democracies, and from state to private sector driven economies- that have taken place in countries as diverse as Angola, Rwanda, South Africa, Mozambique and Uganda. The course will consider contemporary Africa’s place in the international system by exploring inter and intra-state conflict, peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts, humanitarian aid, financial aid, global trade, and the continental shift to democratic regimes.
In addition, the course will cover continental and regional associations of African states; interactions between African countries and international institutions, multilateral financial organizations, and non-state actors. Finally, we will discuss the theoretical literature on the state, civil society, institutions, and globalization and document the effects of recent changes on the spatial configuration of urban areas, on the rural-urban divide, and on the livelihoods of ordinary Africans.
