Syllabus for African Politics

AFRICAN POLITICS
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Dr. Tom O'Connor or assigned instructor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual syllabus
Assigned instructors may or may not use this material

Class meets: as scheduled Office hours: as scheduled APSU Center @ Ft. Campbell Telephone: (931) 221-1477, (931) 221-1493 (Fax) Email: oconnort@apsu.edu Website: www.dromoconnor.com
*Textbook: Thomson, A. (2010). An Introduction to African Politics, 3e.* NY: Routledge. ISBN: 9780415482875** Note: this book is considered adequate for semesters of any length.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: The politics of sub-Saharan Africa; a comparative analysis of the behavior, participation, and structures in the various movements for the liberation of Africa. Problems relative to colonialism, East-West confrontation, and internal policies are examined. (no prerequisites)

1. To acquire an informed understanding of African governance and political movements
2. To better understand concepts and ideas in political science and comparative studies
3. To examine regularities and patterns of political behavior and liberation movements
4. To analyze and evaluate external influences on African political conditions
5. To articulate the basic ideas of sustainable development and good governance
6. To appreciate the challenges of democratic consolidation in Africa

In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:
1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in public management

CONTENT OUTLINE: (Note: this outline can, if necessary, be compressed to an 8-week semester)

Week 1: Textbook chapters as announced, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. Welcome to African Politics
1a. Area Studies: Africa (from Global Security course)
Textbook chapter 1: Introduction: State, Civil Society, and External Interests

Week 2: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
2. Colonialism and its Legacy in Africa
Textbook chapter 2: Africa's History: Pre-Colonial and Colonial Inheritance

Week 3: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
3. African Socialism
Textbook chapter 3: Ideologies: Nationalism, Socialism, Populism, and State Capitalism

Week 4: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
4. African Tribalism
Textbook chapter 4: Ethnicity and Religion: Tribes, Gods, and Political Identity

Week 5: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
5. Women in Africa
Textbook chapter 5: Identity Politics: Social Class and Modes of Production in Africa

Week 6: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
6. African Clientelism
6a. Corruption in Cross-Cultural Perspective (from Comparative PM course)
Textbook chapter 6: Authoritarianism and Patrimonialism: Personal Rule and the Centralized State

Week 7: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
7. The Coup d'Etat African Pattern
Textbook chapter 7: Military Rule and Coups d'Etats (1956-2001)

Week 8: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
8. The Management and Mismanagement of Foreign Aid (from Comparative PM course)
Textbook chapter 8: External Influences: The Superpowers, Africa, and the New World Order

Week 9: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
9. Sustainable Development (from Comparative PM course)
9a. Economic Security and International Political Economy (from Global Security course)
9b. World Trade Organization Law (from Comparative PM course)
Textbook chapter 9: Africa's Sovereign Debt Crisis, Political Economy, and Structural Adjustment

Week 10: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
10. Failed States of the African Variety
Textbook chapter 10: State Capacity, State Decay, and State Collapse

Week 11: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
11. Democracy in Africa
Textbook chapter 11: Democratic Consolidation and Africa's Third Wave of Democracy (the 1990s)

Week 12: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
12. Postcolonialism (from International Terrorism course)
12a. Civic Culture (from Comparative PM course)
Textbook chapter 12: Conclusions: State and Civil Society in Post-Colonial Africa
Topics: Contemporary Protest Movements and Women's Rights

Week 13: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
13. Islam in Africa
Topics: Contemporary Religious Movements and the Islamization of Africa

Week 14: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
14. Global Health Security (from Global Security course)
Topics: Human Security and Global Health Concerns (AIDS and Malaria)

Week 15: Textbook chapters as announced, the following (recommended) Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
15. International Human Rights (from International Law course)
15a. Crimes Against Humanity (from International Law course)
Topics: International Human Rights Violations and the International Criminal Court's Involvement in Africa

Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Thomson, A. (2010). An Introduction to African Politics, 3e. NY: Routledge. ISBN: 9780415482875 Note: this book is considered adequate for semesters of any length, and contains the following chapters to be read in order:
1. Introduction: state, civil society, and external interests
2. History: Africa's pre-colonial and colonial inheritance (case study: Kenya)
3. Ideology: nationalism, socialism, populism, and capitalism (case study: Tanzania)
4. Ethnicity and religion: 'tribes', gods, and political identities (case study: Nigeria)
5. Social class: class politics in Africa (case study: Botswana)
6. Legitimacy: neo-patrimonialism, personal rule, centralized states (case study: Cote d'Ivoire)
7. Coercion: military intervention and coups (case study: Uganda)
8. Sovereignty I: external influences and international relations (case study: Somalia)
9. Sovereignty II: structural adjustment and political economy (case study: Ghana)
10. Authority: crises of accumulation, governance, and state collapse (case study: Zaire)
11. Democracy: re-legitimising the state (case study: Zimbabwe)
12. Conclusions: state and civil society in post-colonial Africa

Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA. Note: students do not have to buy this book, but should have access to it or something similar in order to utilize the correct style or format with writing assignments.

Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read assigned text chapters, to read assigned Lecture Notes, and to seek and read additional suggested resources as provided by the textbook and Instructor. In addition, students are expected to be alert and attentive with note taking in class and have a demonstrated desire to participate in any discussion. Exams are to be completed within the deadlines given by the Instructor, and any special instructions for the paper and/or writing assignment(s) are to be followed precisely. The Instructor will announce all deadlines and instructions as well as provide reminders about the pace or flow of the course.

25% Midterm Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
25% Writing assignments (single or multiple assignments, the equivalent of 8 pages)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, discussion contributions)

The grade scale used in this course is normally a 7-point scale, as follows, although instructors are free to make adjustments or modifications as circumstances permit. At times when circumstances permit, the scale may be dropped to a 10-point scale, or slightly more.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (and login records, if this is a web-based course), and students are expected to attend all sessions on time and as scheduled. If a session and/or assignment deadline is to be missed for circumstances beyond the student's control, prior permission of the instructor must be obtained, and arrangements made for submission of the work. Regular late submission of work as well as tardiness and absenteeism will result in reduction of the final grade by at least one letter, depending upon severity. An "Incomplete" can only be given if the student has normally completed at least half the coursework, has a reasonable justification, and makes arrangements with the instructor.

DISABILITY POLICY: Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you may contact Disability Services; telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.

POLICY ON MINORS: Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.

ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the "Code of Student Conduct" in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any student found cheating or plagiarizing will receive an "F" for the work in question, and possibly an "F" for the course, and may be recommended for suspension from the University. Cheating is defined as not working on exams or assignments alone, and plagiarism is defined as taking the work of someone else's as one's own. APSU uses software that will identify plagiarism.

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Last updated: Jan 14, 2011
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