Africa is typically placed at the margins of academic and popular discourses about international politics. This module turns the tables, placing Africa and its engagement with the outside world at the centre of analysis. The aim here is not to deny Africa's position of structural weakness within a highly uneven global political and economic system but rather to investigate how African actors, institutions and processes interact with the global system. In so doing, the module encourages students to challenge conventional understandings of international politics and develop a detailed and nuanced understanding of Africa's place within the international system.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
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A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
The module first introduces students to key conceptual approaches to Africa’s role in international politics, from ‘Africanist’ critiques of mainstream international relations theory to theories of extraversion and African agency. Students are then encouraged to apply these theoretical approaches to the most salient issues in African international politics - the role of the African state, Africa’s place in a changing global order, peace and security, trade, aid and climate change. The topics incorporate case studies in order to encourage students to reflect critically on the diversity and specificity of African political contexts and experiences while also developing a broad understanding of the international politics of the continent as a whole. Through group and individual seminar tasks and presentations and formative and summative written assessments, the module will enable students to develop and enhance a range of key transferable skills, including written and oral communication, interpersonal skills, and argumentative and analytical skills.
By completing this module, students will have:
Academic and graduate skills
By completing this module, students will have:
Task | % of module mark |
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Essay/coursework | 100 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
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Essay/coursework | 100 |
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.
Brown W and Harman S (eds) (2013) African Agency in International Politics. London: Routledge.
Cornelissen, S., et al. eds. (2012) Africa and International Relations in the 21st Century (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan).
Dunn, K. C. & Shaw, T. M. eds. (2013) Africa's Challenge to International Relations Theory (second edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan).
Harbeson JW and Rothchild D (eds) (2013) Africa in World Politics: Engaging a Changing World Order. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.