AFR 256 Politics of Africa (Same as Political Science 256) (Not offered 2008-2009; to be offered 2009-2010)

PSCI 256 Politics of Africa (Same as Africana Studies 256) (Not offered 2008-2009; to be offered 2009-2010)
There is a widespread of image of Africa as lawless, violent, and anarchic; it is an image that pervades western commentary and media. And it is not entirely unfounded: it has been difficult to instill political order in some parts of Africa. This course will examine why government is weak in some contemporary African countries and why it is stronger in others. Why are some African countries prone to political violence while others are not? What are the forces that have shaped African politics, violent or peaceful? How do race, ethnicity, and civil society operate in different societies? Do they produce different political outcomes and, if so, how? And finally, how are these forces influencing policy choices, ethnic relations, and democracy in contemporary Africa? To address these questions, we will review Africa's rich political history.
Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: discussion, 3 short papers and 1 research paper.
Prerequisites: one course in political science or the permission of the instructor. Enrollment Limit: 25 (expected 25). Preference given to political science majors with a concentration in comparative politics.
Comparative Politics Subfield