OVERVIEW

The course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical and political events that have taken place in Africa during the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The first part of the course will focus on key topics such as colonialism, decolonization, the Cold War, and the independences of African states. The second part of the course will focus on nationalism, socialism, populism, state capitalism, sovereignty, authority, democracy, and hybrid regimes in Africa. Special emphasis will be given to the international context and the main dynamics that have shaped the African continent.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is aimed at providing students with the analytical tools to understand the African political, social and economic reality with a critical eye, deconstructing the stereotypes and simplified narratives which too often characterize the representation of Africa on mass-media. Africa has the highest demographic growth in the world. It is a continent of dire challenges and tremendous opportunities. This course will be particularly useful to students who are eager to pursue a diplomatic career, to those who will find themselves working in an international organization or in the field of development cooperation, providing them all the basic notions and the theoretical paradigms to approach the complexity of the African continent.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the students will have gained knowledge on the political history of contemporary Africa. This includes a detailed understanding of the colonial period, decolonization policies, and the formation processes and dynamics of independent nation-states, as well as their role in the international context. The students will be able to identify the main elements of political systems in Africa and its institutions (nationalism, socialism, populism, state capitalism, sovereignty, authority, democracy). The course will provide students with the necessary tools and methods to contextualize relevant aspects of the causes of development crises and the roots and dynamics of conflicts, the relationship between security, development, poverty, environmental crises, and the role of the international context.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, student presentations and class discussions.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Option 1 (essay + written exam assessment)

K. Shillington, History of Africa, fourth edition (London: Red Globe Press, 2019), chapters 16-32.

A. Thomson, An Introduction to African Politics, fifth edition (New York: Routledge, 2022).

Option 2 (written exam assessment)

K. Shillington, History of Africa, fourth edition (London: Red Globe Press, 2019), chapters 16-32.

A. Thomson, An Introduction to African Politics, fifth edition (New York: Routledge, 2022).

And one among the following:

E. Schmidt, Foreign Intervention in Africa after the Cold War (Ohio University Press, 2018).

M. de Haas, E. Frankema, Migration in Africa. Shifting Patterns of Mobility from the 19th to the 21st Century (New York: Routledge, 2022).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUCIA MARTINES (President)

FABRIZIO COTICCHIA

GUIDO LEVI

MARIA ELEONORA GUASCONI (President Substitute)

LARA PICCARDO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will start on Monday 26th February 2024

The schedule for all courses can be found at: EasyAcademy.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Option 1: Essay + written exam assessment

Students will have to write a short essay (min. 2500 words - max. 3000 words) on an issue or topic covered during the course. The topic must be agreed upon with the lecturer beforehand. The relevant supporting readings will be provided by the lecturer. The students will present the paper through classroom discussion in the final part of the course. The written exam assessment will consist of multiple choice and short open answers. The final grade will be calculated on the basis of the essay and the written examination.

Option 2: Written exam assessment

The written exam assessment will consist of multiple choice and short open answers. The final grade will be calculated on the basis of the written exam assessment.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with Special Needs: the compensatory tools recognized by the Department coordinator and by the University Service for students with special needs are applied. It is suggested to contact Prof. Aristide Canepa and the lecturer of this course at the beginning of the lectures.